What is Shatter THC & How Do You Smoke It?

High Points

• Shatter is a glass-like cannabis concentrate with super high THC levels (up to 90%), making it a favorite for dabbing. You can also vape it, sprinkle it in joints, or “crown” a bowl for extra kick.
  
  
• It’s made using a solvent extraction process (usually with butane), then cooled into those iconic amber shards. Unlike wax or crumble, shatter is smooth and solid, which makes it easier to handle and store if kept in an airtight, dark container.
  
  
• You cannot make shatter at home as it involves dangerous chemicals and pro-grade equipment. Stick to licensed dispensaries for safe, high-quality shatter and ask your budtender for tips if you're new to dabbing.
  
  

Shatter

Shatter is a cannabis concentrate named for its physical appearance: translucent, amber shards that look like broken glass. It is incredibly potent: up to 90% THC.

Shatter is a cannabis concentrate known for its solid yet translucent appearance, often compared to shards of glass because that’s what it looks like, except that its color can range from dark yellow to honey yellow or amber. The concentrate’s distinctive texture (and the fact that it shatters like glass) gives shatter its name and makes it stand out from other cannabis concentrates.¹

Shatter is among the most potent cannabis concentrates, with THC levels ranging from 80-90%. Because of its strength, it’s not ideal for beginners. Even seasoned consumers often start with small amounts to avoid overwhelming effects.² 

Shatter is created through a process that uses butane hash oil (BHO) as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. This is why you might often hear shatter referred to as BHO. During production, the plant material is exposed to butane, which separates the desirable compounds from the rest of the plant. Afterward, the solvent is carefully purged to ensure no harmful residues remain, leaving behind the brittle, glass-like concentrate you know as shatter.³ 

Every shatter product typically includes detailed information about the strain it’s made from, the extraction method used, and the resulting texture. This level of transparency helps consumers make informed choices and ensures they can select a product that perfectly matches their preferences and desired effects.

Important! You should never attempt to make shatter at home. The process involves highly flammable solvents like butane, which can have serious safety risks if improperly handled. Additionally, making shatter in your state or county may be illegal, so leave shatter production to licensed professionals to ensure safety and product quality.

Smoking shatter is an art because of its unique consistency. It requires specialized tools or techniques so you can get the most out of your THC shatter experience.

Here are a few tips for how to smoke shatter: 

A dab rig is one of the most effective and popular ways to smoke shatter. This setup, similar to a bong but designed for concentrates, uses a heated nail or banger to vaporize the shatter. Dab rigs are favored for their ability to deliver potent effects while preserving the full flavor of the shatter.⁴ 

Follow these steps to smoke shatter with a rig: 

1. Heat the nail or banger with a torch until it’s hot enough. 

2. Use a dab tool to add a small amount of shatter. 

3. As it vaporizes, inhale through the rig’s mouthpiece for a fast and intense high. 
   
   

Prefer something more traditional? Adding shatter to your joint or bowl is a simple and effective way to elevate your cannabis experience. Follow these steps to add shatter to an infused joint or a bowl: 

1. Lay out your ground flower. 

2. Sprinkle a small amount of shatter evenly on top.

3. Add another layer of flower to prevent the shatter from directly contacting the flame.

This technique ensures that the shatter melts into the flower for a smoother and more controlled burn.

Use a dab pen or concentrate vaporizer as a portable, hassle-free way to consume shatter. These devices are designed specifically for concentrates, making them an excellent choice for beginners and cannasseurs. Load a small amount of shatter into the vaporizer’s chamber, set it to the desired temperature, and inhale the vapor. Vaporizing shatter preserves its flavor and potency while delivering a smooth, consistent experience.⁵

Shatter’s translucent, glass-like appearance sets it apart. Generally, the more translucent the shatter, the higher the quality. It’s also less malleable than wax or crumble, which have softer, sticky textures.

Wax and shatter are both potent cannabis concentrates, but they do have two distinct differences: how they’re made and what they look like. Once the solvent-based extraction is complete, the oil can be manipulated in a variety of ways. With THC wax, it’s agitated, eventually creating a wax-like consistency. With shatter, the extract is allowed to cool and create a glass-like surface that, once broken, becomes shatter.⁶

The biggest difference between shatter and crumble is the process of making them. While shatter is left to settle and harden, crumble has to be aerated and agitated. It also tends to have more moisture in it and a slightly thicker consistency. Because of this, some cannabis enthusiasts find that crumble is a little bit harder to scoop and load onto a nail but that doesn’t stop most people from enjoying it.⁷

While both diamonds and shatter tend to be firm to the touch, they’re made in significantly different ways. Shatter requires a closed-loop system and patience as the extract is allowed to cool into a pane of cannabis glass. THC diamonds, on the other hand, can be made by slowly removing the solvent in a closed-loop system or using heat and pressure to force the solvent to evaporate. During both processes, the THCA forms into crystals or diamonds.

When it comes to unique cannabis products, shatter is definitely in the top 5. Still, it can feel a little intimidating to try for newcomers, so we get a lot of questions about it. Some of those that have been asked and answered include: 

Can you eat shatter?

No, you shouldn’t eat shatter. It likely wouldn’t hurt you, but it’s also not going to give you any kind of effect. This is because shatter needs to be decarboxylated in order for you to experience the psychoactive effects of THC. If you eat it, it will not cause intoxication but might cause a stomach ache.¹

Can I make shatter at home?

No. Absolutely not. To make shatter, professionals use solvents and a closed-loop system that keeps dangerous fumes from escaping and causing a fire or explosion. If that’s not reason enough to keep you from trying, it’s also illegal in many areas to make solvent-based concentrates, so stick to purchasing shatter from a dispensary.¹

Can you dab shatter?

Yes. In fact, shatter is often the preferred concentrate for cannabis enthusiasts who love to dab.

Is shatter the same as dabs?

A dab is a general term for a cannabis concentrate, and shatter is a specific type of concentrate.

Is shatter stronger than wax?

Yes, shatter typically has higher THC levels than wax.

Can I put shatter in a bowl?

You can absolutely put shatter in a bowl. Just sprinkle it over your flower and enjoy.

Purchasing Shatter THC

Most cannabis dispensaries carry some form of shatter. Depending on their location in the country and their selection, you may find a variety of shatter strain options, too. If you’re ready to give shatter a try, visit us today, talk to one of our budtenders, and get set up with shatter and a quality dab rig to get you started.