No, not butter. Budder.

Also called wax or badder, it is one of many cannabis concentrates (products containing extremely high levels of cannabinoids and virtually no plant matter). Though budder was first developed in the 1990s, its popularity is rising thanks to its soft, waxlike consistency and therapeutic chemical profile. Keep reading to learn more about budder, one of the best cannabinoid and terpene-rich concentrates available at your local dispensary.

Difference Between Budder and Other Concentrates?

When you smoke a roll or bowl packed with cannabis flower, you inhale lots of medicinal goodies, including THC, CBD, and terpenes. But you also get less valuable compounds, like chlorophyll and residue plant matter. Budder and other concentrates answer cannabis consumers asking this question: “How can I get more medicine and less plant out of weed?” Extracted through various means (most of which we do NOT recommend you try at home), cannabis concentrates like budder strip compounds like THC and CBD — the two most abundant cannabinoids present in weed — from the plant material. Whereas typical cannabis flower may contain 1% CBD and around 20% THC, cannabis concentrates can have up to 90% THC or CBD, depending on the strain of origin. However, not all concentrates are the same. it may be the most popular cannabis concentrate on the market these days for a few reasons:

• Consistency. it is soft but malleable, very much like actual butter (though it is NOT the same thing as cannabutter). This thickened consistency makes it easier to manipulate than less viscous cannabis oils.
• Cannabinoid levels. Budder can contain up to 90% THC. That’s a LOT of tetrahydrocannabinol, the cannabinoid responsible for creating weed’s psychoactive effects. Budder is comparable to most other concentrates when it comes to THC content.
• Terpene profile. What sets budder apart from other concentrates is its relatively high terpene content. Terpenes are highly volatile compounds, quickly evaporating and degrading from the cannabis plant when exposed to touch, heat, and light.

Terpenes are responsible for the complex aromas unique to each cannabis strain. They can also work synergistically with cannabinoids, a medically beneficial phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

How is Budder Extracted?

Before we get into the details of the budder extraction process, here’s a word of caution: Do not try to extract budder yourself.  Most extracts require the use of a chemical solvent. In many cases, the best extract for the job is butane, an extremely flammable gas. It’s no secret in the cannabis community that DIY butane extractions are responsible for severe property damage, injury, and even death among amateur extract technicians. One more time for those in the back: don’t try to make budder at home.

Now, for the curious consumer, here’s a general rundown of the its extraction method. Cannabis flower is placed in a closed-loop system — a machine that allows a solvent (normally butane, propane, or CO2) to soak the flower without being released into the surrounding area. Once the cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted from the cannabis flower, the resulting fluid is placed in a vacuum oven. Vacuum ovens remove residual solvent from the liquid, a good thing since ingesting butane is a great way to make yourself sick (another reason why you should leave this job to licensed professionals). The last part of the budder production process is what gives it its texture. The processor whips the cannabinoid-rich, solventless fluid until it obtains the desired, frosting-like consistency that makes it such a versatile concentrate.

The Best Way to Consume

The best ways to consume budder respect this concentrate’s consistency and chemical profile. That means using lower temperatures to preserve the terpene content and get that flavorful, therapeutically optimized inhalation experience. We think that dabbing and vaping it are the best ways to consume it. Both vaping and dabbing rely on less heat than combustion methods like smoking a joint or bowl. However, vaping is both easier to set up and more effective at controlling temperature than dabbing.

Is it Safe?

Compared to other recreational drugs, cannabis has a relatively low side effect profile. But budder is a cannabis concentrate, so there are certain safety considerations you should keep in mind.

Pros 

Consuming budder can be a more beneficial cannabis experience for you given these factors:

• Vaping budder allows cannabis users to inhale more medicine and less combustion-produced toxins.
• Budder contains high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, making it a quick delivery method for patients.
• Professionally extracted budder is subjected to lab testing, ensuring its purity and safety.

Cons

The following risks are associated with consuming cannabis concentrates like budder:

• Inhaling budder increases the likelihood of experiencing anxiety or paranoia due to high levels of THC.
• Budder’s potency could lead to more lethargy and psychoactivity than the user is prepared to feel.
• Budder delivers medicine to the body quickly, a potential con if consumed in an unsafe environment.

If you plan to inhale budder, you can protect yourself by choosing to do so in a safe place (like your home) and with a trusted friend. Don’t mix substances, stay hydrated, and plan so that you have plenty of time to enjoy the ride.