M
mr.shiva
Missoula dude is a criminal genius lol
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http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/10/25/4198046_hash-oil-cooking-explosion-damages.html?&rh=1
Hash oil cooking explosion damages Visalia home
By Carmen George
The Fresno BeeOctober 25, 2014
An explosion sparked by a marijuana operation caused an estimated $100,000 in damages to a Visalia home Friday night, said Visalia Fire Battalion Chief Danny Wristen.
The fire started about 10:15 p.m. in the area of Howard Avenue and Sowell Street. When firefighters arrived, the rear of the home on the 1000 block of Howard was on fire, which was extinguished in about 10 minutes.
Investigators determined the fire was caused by an explosion from a marijuana hash oil manufacturing process. Vapors from the cooking process ignited and caused the explosion, Wristen said. No one was injured.
Marcos Amaro, 22, was arrested and booked into Tulare County Jail on suspicion of manufacturing hash oil.
Hash oil cooking explosion damages Visalia home
By Carmen George
The Fresno BeeOctober 25, 2014
An explosion sparked by a marijuana operation caused an estimated $100,000 in damages to a Visalia home Friday night, said Visalia Fire Battalion Chief Danny Wristen.
The fire started about 10:15 p.m. in the area of Howard Avenue and Sowell Street. When firefighters arrived, the rear of the home on the 1000 block of Howard was on fire, which was extinguished in about 10 minutes.
Investigators determined the fire was caused by an explosion from a marijuana hash oil manufacturing process. Vapors from the cooking process ignited and caused the explosion, Wristen said. No one was injured.
Marcos Amaro, 22, was arrested and booked into Tulare County Jail on suspicion of manufacturing hash oil.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/bre...ek-crews-respond-possible-fire-explosion-near
This article if you go to the site has lots of pictures of what a butane explosion will do to a house, take a look at what might happen if you are using butane inside. Blew the roof off of the dwelling and of course blew the skin off of the blasters.
If you are in an enclosed area using butane extraction, you are INSIDE of a bomb if it goes off and its going to be over 3500 degree's inside there, "enough to melt steel" or the fat on your body when it catches fire say's Gray Wolf.
WALNUT CREEK -- A powerful explosion, fueled by butane gas used in a hash oil operation, tore through an apartment building Friday morning, frightening residents who watched as two men burned and bloodied ran from the fireball, authorities and neighbors said.
The 10:20 a.m. blast at a four-unit two-story apartment building in the 1500 block of Sunnyvale Avenue was so powerful it knocked over furniture at homes across the street, shattered windows in nearby apartments and could be heard for miles, witnesses reported.
The force of the explosion blew the roof off a second-floor apartment, the epicenter of the explosion, and sent it crashing down into a unit below. As a plume of smoke lifted above the street dotted by apartment buildings, neighbors ran outside to discover a grisly scene -- two men screaming in pain, covered in blood, their skin peeling off them.
View Walnut Creek blast in a larger map
"They were completely burned. Their clothes were blown off," said Bob Grossman, who lives across the street from where the explosion occurred.
One victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and another by helicopter to a hospital in another county, authorities said.
A third person remained unaccounted for and a search dog was brought in Friday afternoon to comb through the debris, Contra Costa Fire District Capt. Kent Kirby said.
"Half of the building was totaled, and we're still trying to peel back the debris," he said.
There were also hot spots, so search and rescue crews had to be careful going through the apartment. Neighbors said the explosion had the force of an earthquake, with a large blast followed by smaller ones. Sunnyvale Avenue, a densely populated residential street, is west of Interstate 680 and not far from a strip mall at the intersection of Treat Boulevard and North Main Street.
Explosion scene on Sunnyvale Avenue, Walnut Creek.
Explosion scene on Sunnyvale Avenue, Walnut Creek. (Contra Costa County Fire)
Grossman said that after furniture in his home tumbled over, he ran out to the street and saw the badly burned men. He and another neighbor poured water on them, and then helped a woman and her dog escape the unit below. The woman lives alone, and appeared to be OK, Grossman said.
Another neighbor, Saline Hall, was doing her laundry when she heard the explosion and thought a bomb had gone off. She also witnessed the men escaping the flames.
"He was so in shock he couldn't talk, his hands were full of blood, and he was bleeding from his head," she said of one of the victims.
The two men, both in their 30s, remain hospitalized in critical condition at UC Davis Medical Center.
Walnut Creek police said that the blaze had been caused by butane used in a hash oil lab in the upstairs apartment.
"We're investigating a drug extraction lab that used various chemicals," said Lt. Tom Cashion.
In recent years, the Contra Costa fire department and others throughout the Bay Area have seen a rise in fires started by people using butane gas to turn marijuana into hash oil, a potentially dangerous process when lingering butane finds an ignition source.
In 2013, an Oakley man lighting a cigarette while making hash oil caused an explosion that burned 90 percent of his body. One such explosion turned deadly in Livermore in 2011, and ended in the arrests and prosecution of the dead man's two roommates. Couldn't make it to the Darwin Award where he'd won a prize because he was dead.
Hall found the possibility of a drug lab in the building hard to believe, saying the neighborhood was very safe.
"It's Walnut Creek, there is never any trouble here," she said.
Grossman, though, said "there's no way this is a gas leak."
"It was something combustible," he said. "It was a huge boom. It shook everything, our whole house. It knocked over furniture."
Walnut Creek police said they will conduct a criminal investigation into the explosion but did not release any information about potential suspects or arrests.
"We feel that this was an isolated incident, and we are confident that there will be no other issues like this; if the neighbors are concerned, we want them to know there should be no more explosions," Kirby said.
Walnut Creek building officials were on hand checking whether surrounding structures were safe. About 50 people had been evacuated from nearby apartment buildings, and the Red Cross was providing blankets and lining up hotels for those in need, Kirby said.
This article if you go to the site has lots of pictures of what a butane explosion will do to a house, take a look at what might happen if you are using butane inside. Blew the roof off of the dwelling and of course blew the skin off of the blasters.
If you are in an enclosed area using butane extraction, you are INSIDE of a bomb if it goes off and its going to be over 3500 degree's inside there, "enough to melt steel" or the fat on your body when it catches fire say's Gray Wolf.
WALNUT CREEK -- A powerful explosion, fueled by butane gas used in a hash oil operation, tore through an apartment building Friday morning, frightening residents who watched as two men burned and bloodied ran from the fireball, authorities and neighbors said.
The 10:20 a.m. blast at a four-unit two-story apartment building in the 1500 block of Sunnyvale Avenue was so powerful it knocked over furniture at homes across the street, shattered windows in nearby apartments and could be heard for miles, witnesses reported.
The force of the explosion blew the roof off a second-floor apartment, the epicenter of the explosion, and sent it crashing down into a unit below. As a plume of smoke lifted above the street dotted by apartment buildings, neighbors ran outside to discover a grisly scene -- two men screaming in pain, covered in blood, their skin peeling off them.
View Walnut Creek blast in a larger map
"They were completely burned. Their clothes were blown off," said Bob Grossman, who lives across the street from where the explosion occurred.
One victim was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and another by helicopter to a hospital in another county, authorities said.
A third person remained unaccounted for and a search dog was brought in Friday afternoon to comb through the debris, Contra Costa Fire District Capt. Kent Kirby said.
"Half of the building was totaled, and we're still trying to peel back the debris," he said.
There were also hot spots, so search and rescue crews had to be careful going through the apartment. Neighbors said the explosion had the force of an earthquake, with a large blast followed by smaller ones. Sunnyvale Avenue, a densely populated residential street, is west of Interstate 680 and not far from a strip mall at the intersection of Treat Boulevard and North Main Street.
Explosion scene on Sunnyvale Avenue, Walnut Creek.
Explosion scene on Sunnyvale Avenue, Walnut Creek. (Contra Costa County Fire)
Grossman said that after furniture in his home tumbled over, he ran out to the street and saw the badly burned men. He and another neighbor poured water on them, and then helped a woman and her dog escape the unit below. The woman lives alone, and appeared to be OK, Grossman said.
Another neighbor, Saline Hall, was doing her laundry when she heard the explosion and thought a bomb had gone off. She also witnessed the men escaping the flames.
"He was so in shock he couldn't talk, his hands were full of blood, and he was bleeding from his head," she said of one of the victims.
The two men, both in their 30s, remain hospitalized in critical condition at UC Davis Medical Center.
Walnut Creek police said that the blaze had been caused by butane used in a hash oil lab in the upstairs apartment.
"We're investigating a drug extraction lab that used various chemicals," said Lt. Tom Cashion.
In recent years, the Contra Costa fire department and others throughout the Bay Area have seen a rise in fires started by people using butane gas to turn marijuana into hash oil, a potentially dangerous process when lingering butane finds an ignition source.
In 2013, an Oakley man lighting a cigarette while making hash oil caused an explosion that burned 90 percent of his body. One such explosion turned deadly in Livermore in 2011, and ended in the arrests and prosecution of the dead man's two roommates. Couldn't make it to the Darwin Award where he'd won a prize because he was dead.
Hall found the possibility of a drug lab in the building hard to believe, saying the neighborhood was very safe.
"It's Walnut Creek, there is never any trouble here," she said.
Grossman, though, said "there's no way this is a gas leak."
"It was something combustible," he said. "It was a huge boom. It shook everything, our whole house. It knocked over furniture."
Walnut Creek police said they will conduct a criminal investigation into the explosion but did not release any information about potential suspects or arrests.
"We feel that this was an isolated incident, and we are confident that there will be no other issues like this; if the neighbors are concerned, we want them to know there should be no more explosions," Kirby said.
Walnut Creek building officials were on hand checking whether surrounding structures were safe. About 50 people had been evacuated from nearby apartment buildings, and the Red Cross was providing blankets and lining up hotels for those in need, Kirby said.
A thank you to this guy's neighbors and local fire/police department... "Police dismantled the lab equipment, some of which was within feet of an 11-month-old boy who lived in the home."
"GILROY -- A Gilroy man was arrested after fire crews and police found a room in his home that was being used as a lab to process marijuana oil.
Around 5:22 p.m. Thursday, Gilroy fire crews responded to Fourth and Rosanna Streets after they received several calls of a strong gas odor in the area. They tracked the smell to a home in the 7600 Block of Rosanna Street from which the smell appeared to be emitting. Once inside the home, crews found an active butane honey oil and a concentrated cannabis extraction lab.
Police dismantled the lab equipment, some of which was within feet of an 11-month-old boy who lived in the home. Some of the items seized were hundreds of butane gas cans, pressure cooking devices, mechanical pumps and pure alcohol. Oil found at the home, which had a street value of around $15,600, as well as marijuana found at the home, which had a street value of about $6,000, were also taken from the home.
Rene Vargas, 31, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and concentrated cannabis for sales, and child endangerment."
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_26941389/gilroy-man-arrested-having-butane-honey-oil-lab
"GILROY -- A Gilroy man was arrested after fire crews and police found a room in his home that was being used as a lab to process marijuana oil.
Around 5:22 p.m. Thursday, Gilroy fire crews responded to Fourth and Rosanna Streets after they received several calls of a strong gas odor in the area. They tracked the smell to a home in the 7600 Block of Rosanna Street from which the smell appeared to be emitting. Once inside the home, crews found an active butane honey oil and a concentrated cannabis extraction lab.
Police dismantled the lab equipment, some of which was within feet of an 11-month-old boy who lived in the home. Some of the items seized were hundreds of butane gas cans, pressure cooking devices, mechanical pumps and pure alcohol. Oil found at the home, which had a street value of around $15,600, as well as marijuana found at the home, which had a street value of about $6,000, were also taken from the home.
Rene Vargas, 31, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and concentrated cannabis for sales, and child endangerment."
http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_26941389/gilroy-man-arrested-having-butane-honey-oil-lab
http://www.jems.com/article/news/two-injured-california-drug-lab-explosion
Two Injured in California Drug Lab Explosion
Two men hurt while producing honey oil inside Ukiah shed
UKIAH, Calif. (AP) — Two men have been hospitalized in Northern California for burns caused by an explosion of butane gas being used to produce honey oil, a concentrated form of cannabis.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported (http://bit.ly/1x8kU2c ) Thursday James Lowe of Ukiah and Joshua Corrigan of Oakdale, both 35, were flown by helicopter to a hospital.
Ukiah Police Capt. Justin Wyatt says firefighters quickly extinguished the fire in a shed that had been a marijuana-growing room and was converted to honey oil production.
Wyatt says police found about two dozen butane containers and a burned assault rifle.
He says police will ask prosecutors to charge the men with manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawfully causing a fire that involves injury and possession of an assault weapon
___
Two Injured in California Drug Lab Explosion
Two men hurt while producing honey oil inside Ukiah shed
UKIAH, Calif. (AP) — Two men have been hospitalized in Northern California for burns caused by an explosion of butane gas being used to produce honey oil, a concentrated form of cannabis.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported (http://bit.ly/1x8kU2c ) Thursday James Lowe of Ukiah and Joshua Corrigan of Oakdale, both 35, were flown by helicopter to a hospital.
Ukiah Police Capt. Justin Wyatt says firefighters quickly extinguished the fire in a shed that had been a marijuana-growing room and was converted to honey oil production.
Wyatt says police found about two dozen butane containers and a burned assault rifle.
He says police will ask prosecutors to charge the men with manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawfully causing a fire that involves injury and possession of an assault weapon
___
^ "One of the men lit a cigarette, which ignited the butane vapor in the shed..."
http://missoulian.com/news/local/ma...cle_fea55648-f965-5456-a356-0c9b0fe701e6.html
Man accused in UM hash oil explosion denies charges
This is an update on a previous explosion and child endangerment where a little child's hair was set on fire along with her mothers resulting in 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Here is what burn injuries look like [see below] and what the child was put through. The mother will take a plea bargain and testify against him in order not to lose her child and go to prison. He's toast, he'll do some years.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bur...rKsr_igLN24HADA&ved=0CEIQ7Ak&biw=1303&bih=769
The man accused of causing an explosion at a University of Montana apartment in October pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal charges Monday morning before Missoula District Judge Karen Townsend.
Patrick Wayne Austin, 24, denied five felony charges relating to the Oct. 12 explosion, including criminal production of dangerous drugs, two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, criminal endangerment and criminal child endangerment.
Austin also denied a misdemeanor charge for criminal production of dangerous drugs and has a warrant for burglary out of Flathead County.
According to court documents, Austin was using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana in the kitchen of an apartment at 1010 Yreka Court.
The dangerous and illegal process caused a blast that shattered the apartment’s windows. When firefighters responded that afternoon, they found pieces of glass and marijuana buds littering the lawn.
Upon entering the apartment, firefighters allegedly found and switched off a hotplate on the stove with a Pyrex baking dish. Police also found two boxes of butane canisters sitting inside the apartment, 1.67 pounds of marijuana, 8.3 grams of hash oil, a half-pound of psilocybin mushrooms, $2,200 in cash, a rifle and a respirator, the affidavit stated.
Austin, his girlfriend Virginia Marie Ervin and her 19-month-year-old daughter were transported to a Missoula hospital, where they were treated for second- and third-degree burns.
At the hospital, both Austin and Ervin were interviewed and Austin denied his involvement in the production of hash oil, claiming that he ceased producing the substance after previously setting a shed on fire.
“Austin claimed that a gas leak must have caused the explosion,” the affidavit stated. “He said that the cases of butane in the apartment were because he buys in bulk to refill his lighter.”
Ervin, however, told police that her boyfriend had been using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana at the time of the explosion, explaining that she usually leaves the apartment when does so. But this time she was tired and took her daughter into another room to watch television.
About 30 minutes after Austin started the process, Ervin said she heard a loud “whoosh sound” and looked up to see the kitchen on fire. Her hair and her daughter’s hair also caught fire.
Ervin, who is a student at the University of Montana, faces three felony charges, including tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, conspiracy to commit tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and accountability for criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. She also faces a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Austin, who is not a student at the university, remains in Missoula County jail pending $50,000 bail that runs consecutively with the $20,000 burglary warrant out of Flathead County.
There has been no reported fires or explosions while using closed butane systems in the last few years that they have been developed. One day in a burn ward is $6000 to $10,000 per day, the agony of burned skin, meat and nerve endings can last a life time. A closed system can be had for as little as $2000 or less if put together as a kit. Do not extract in a residential area, see Gray Wolfs safety rules. The fireball from a butane explosion is over 3000 degree's and can melt steel or burn off your body fat. When an explosion occurs you are INSIDE the explosion, your life will change forever in that instant.
Man accused in UM hash oil explosion denies charges
This is an update on a previous explosion and child endangerment where a little child's hair was set on fire along with her mothers resulting in 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Here is what burn injuries look like [see below] and what the child was put through. The mother will take a plea bargain and testify against him in order not to lose her child and go to prison. He's toast, he'll do some years.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bur...rKsr_igLN24HADA&ved=0CEIQ7Ak&biw=1303&bih=769
The man accused of causing an explosion at a University of Montana apartment in October pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal charges Monday morning before Missoula District Judge Karen Townsend.
Patrick Wayne Austin, 24, denied five felony charges relating to the Oct. 12 explosion, including criminal production of dangerous drugs, two counts of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute, criminal endangerment and criminal child endangerment.
Austin also denied a misdemeanor charge for criminal production of dangerous drugs and has a warrant for burglary out of Flathead County.
According to court documents, Austin was using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana in the kitchen of an apartment at 1010 Yreka Court.
The dangerous and illegal process caused a blast that shattered the apartment’s windows. When firefighters responded that afternoon, they found pieces of glass and marijuana buds littering the lawn.
Upon entering the apartment, firefighters allegedly found and switched off a hotplate on the stove with a Pyrex baking dish. Police also found two boxes of butane canisters sitting inside the apartment, 1.67 pounds of marijuana, 8.3 grams of hash oil, a half-pound of psilocybin mushrooms, $2,200 in cash, a rifle and a respirator, the affidavit stated.
Austin, his girlfriend Virginia Marie Ervin and her 19-month-year-old daughter were transported to a Missoula hospital, where they were treated for second- and third-degree burns.
At the hospital, both Austin and Ervin were interviewed and Austin denied his involvement in the production of hash oil, claiming that he ceased producing the substance after previously setting a shed on fire.
“Austin claimed that a gas leak must have caused the explosion,” the affidavit stated. “He said that the cases of butane in the apartment were because he buys in bulk to refill his lighter.”
Ervin, however, told police that her boyfriend had been using butane to extract hash oil from marijuana at the time of the explosion, explaining that she usually leaves the apartment when does so. But this time she was tired and took her daughter into another room to watch television.
About 30 minutes after Austin started the process, Ervin said she heard a loud “whoosh sound” and looked up to see the kitchen on fire. Her hair and her daughter’s hair also caught fire.
Ervin, who is a student at the University of Montana, faces three felony charges, including tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, conspiracy to commit tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and accountability for criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. She also faces a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
Austin, who is not a student at the university, remains in Missoula County jail pending $50,000 bail that runs consecutively with the $20,000 burglary warrant out of Flathead County.
There has been no reported fires or explosions while using closed butane systems in the last few years that they have been developed. One day in a burn ward is $6000 to $10,000 per day, the agony of burned skin, meat and nerve endings can last a life time. A closed system can be had for as little as $2000 or less if put together as a kit. Do not extract in a residential area, see Gray Wolfs safety rules. The fireball from a butane explosion is over 3000 degree's and can melt steel or burn off your body fat. When an explosion occurs you are INSIDE the explosion, your life will change forever in that instant.
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"Upon entering the apartment, firefighters allegedly found and switched off a hotplate on the stove with a Pyrex baking dish."
Just because you saw it on YouTube, or a buddies' been getting away with it for awhile doesn't mean it's safe... if you're not savvy enough to know or even suspect that a standard or even a lab hotplate isn't safe due to electrical arcing, extracting with butane isn't for you...
Just because you saw it on YouTube, or a buddies' been getting away with it for awhile doesn't mean it's safe... if you're not savvy enough to know or even suspect that a standard or even a lab hotplate isn't safe due to electrical arcing, extracting with butane isn't for you...
http://www.pe.com/articles/oil-754632-explosion-department.html
MUSCOY: 'Honey-oil' blasts a growing problem, officials say
Drug operation explosions like the one that officials say blew a shack to pieces and killed at least one person Wednesday night in the San Bernardino-area community of Muscoy are becoming more common in the Inland area and around the country, authorities said Thursday.
About a half-dozen such explosions, which could involve marijuana extraction labs or meth labs, have rocked San Bernardino County so far this year — and at least another half-dozen in Riverside County in the past couple years — and they are on the rise.
“We’re starting to see an increase,” said San Bernardino County Fire Department spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.
There have been 49 confirmed explosions at marijuana-extraction labs nationwide in 2014 -- with 31 in Colorado and 18 in other states, said Special Agent Vijay Rathi, spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: 1 dead, 2 badly hurt in blast
In California, Rathi said he knew of at least six marijuana-extraction lab explosions — this one, and blasts in San Diego, San Francisco and others in Northern California — but there were likely more.
The explosions are a new trend that have become such a problem, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued an official warning about the danger of pot extraction labs to first responders last year.
“It’s a huge, growing problem nationwide,” said Rathi.
On Wednesday, Adrian Curiel, 61, of Chino was killed and two others, a woman and man, were critically injured in a blast that destroyed a 30-foot section of roof, walls and floor in the 3300 block of Gray Street. Neighbors said the explosion reported about 6 p.m. Wednesday felt like an earthquake.
Investigators determined the occupants were operating a marijuana extraction lab after finding a substantial amount of marijuana and butane at the site, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said Thursday.
The three were making marijuana extracts called wax and honey oil in a dirt-hole basement lab beneath a haphazardly built illegal shack. By doing so, they were breaking a cardinal rule.
"We have a No. 1 rule that when you do that, you do it outside," said a man who would only give his first name, Chris, because he, too, makes wax.
The substances, not to be confused with hash oil, are made using highly flammable butane gas. Cold butane is pushed into a sterile glass tube containing crushed marijuana to extract a wax resin from the plants. The wax is purged — or heated in a glass dish set over boiling water — to create an amber-colored oil called honey oil.
During the process, fumes come out of the bottom of the extraction tube, said Chris, a lifelong Muscoy resident who lives nearby.
"If it meets heat or flame, it can explode," he said while sitting in his car on the street in front of the property Thursday morning. "I mean, it's gas fumes. It's highly flammable."
MUSCOY: 'Honey-oil' blasts a growing problem, officials say
Drug operation explosions like the one that officials say blew a shack to pieces and killed at least one person Wednesday night in the San Bernardino-area community of Muscoy are becoming more common in the Inland area and around the country, authorities said Thursday.
About a half-dozen such explosions, which could involve marijuana extraction labs or meth labs, have rocked San Bernardino County so far this year — and at least another half-dozen in Riverside County in the past couple years — and they are on the rise.
“We’re starting to see an increase,” said San Bernardino County Fire Department spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.
There have been 49 confirmed explosions at marijuana-extraction labs nationwide in 2014 -- with 31 in Colorado and 18 in other states, said Special Agent Vijay Rathi, spokesman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: 1 dead, 2 badly hurt in blast
In California, Rathi said he knew of at least six marijuana-extraction lab explosions — this one, and blasts in San Diego, San Francisco and others in Northern California — but there were likely more.
The explosions are a new trend that have become such a problem, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued an official warning about the danger of pot extraction labs to first responders last year.
“It’s a huge, growing problem nationwide,” said Rathi.
On Wednesday, Adrian Curiel, 61, of Chino was killed and two others, a woman and man, were critically injured in a blast that destroyed a 30-foot section of roof, walls and floor in the 3300 block of Gray Street. Neighbors said the explosion reported about 6 p.m. Wednesday felt like an earthquake.
Investigators determined the occupants were operating a marijuana extraction lab after finding a substantial amount of marijuana and butane at the site, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said Thursday.
The three were making marijuana extracts called wax and honey oil in a dirt-hole basement lab beneath a haphazardly built illegal shack. By doing so, they were breaking a cardinal rule.
"We have a No. 1 rule that when you do that, you do it outside," said a man who would only give his first name, Chris, because he, too, makes wax.
The substances, not to be confused with hash oil, are made using highly flammable butane gas. Cold butane is pushed into a sterile glass tube containing crushed marijuana to extract a wax resin from the plants. The wax is purged — or heated in a glass dish set over boiling water — to create an amber-colored oil called honey oil.
During the process, fumes come out of the bottom of the extraction tube, said Chris, a lifelong Muscoy resident who lives nearby.
"If it meets heat or flame, it can explode," he said while sitting in his car on the street in front of the property Thursday morning. "I mean, it's gas fumes. It's highly flammable."
http://www.pe.com/articles/oil-754632-explosion-department.htmlOct. 23, 2014:
More explosions and injuries from butane explosions, a one day stay in a burn ward costs $6000 to $10,000 or more and the average stay for 2nd and 3rd degree burns is 2 weeks for minor 2nd degree burns.
Burns: https://www.google.com/search?q=bur...rKsr_igLN24HADA&ved=0CEIQ7Ak&biw=1303&bih=769
A 48-year-old San Jacinto resident was arrested after Riverside County sheriff’s deputies said they discovered methamphetamine and a cannabis extraction lab in his house.
Sept. 21, 2014: Two people were arrested on suspicion of operating a honey oil lab in San Jacinto that endangered a child.
April 30, 2014: A 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman fled for their lives and three homes were destroyed in the San Bernardino County Mountains community of Crestline when a honey oil lab blew up, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said. The man suffered burns; a neighbor who jumped off his patio broke bones.
Jan. 9, 2014: Sheriff’s deputies investigating a tip about a marijuana growing operation in Moreno Valley said they found equipment used to make honey oil, 53 pounds of marijuana, two sawed-off shotguns and other drugs and weapons. A 29-year-old man was arrested.
Oct. 31, 2013: A man suffered burns to much of his body after a honey oil lab exploded in Moreno Valley. Four children were taken into protective custody.
July 5, 2013: A probation compliance check at a home in Murrieta discovered two guns, high-capacity handgun magazines, more than 100 marijuana plants, components of a honey oil lab and packaging material. A 36-year-old man was arrested.
July 4, 2013: Two men were arrested in Murrieta after police said they found a sophisticated marijuana growing operation that included equipment to manufacture honey oil.
March 1, 2013: A 40-year-old Moreno Valley man suffered burns covering more than 40 percent of his body after an explosion in what was believed to be a honey oil lab.
More explosions and injuries from butane explosions, a one day stay in a burn ward costs $6000 to $10,000 or more and the average stay for 2nd and 3rd degree burns is 2 weeks for minor 2nd degree burns.
Burns: https://www.google.com/search?q=bur...rKsr_igLN24HADA&ved=0CEIQ7Ak&biw=1303&bih=769
A 48-year-old San Jacinto resident was arrested after Riverside County sheriff’s deputies said they discovered methamphetamine and a cannabis extraction lab in his house.
Sept. 21, 2014: Two people were arrested on suspicion of operating a honey oil lab in San Jacinto that endangered a child.
April 30, 2014: A 21-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman fled for their lives and three homes were destroyed in the San Bernardino County Mountains community of Crestline when a honey oil lab blew up, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said. The man suffered burns; a neighbor who jumped off his patio broke bones.
Jan. 9, 2014: Sheriff’s deputies investigating a tip about a marijuana growing operation in Moreno Valley said they found equipment used to make honey oil, 53 pounds of marijuana, two sawed-off shotguns and other drugs and weapons. A 29-year-old man was arrested.
Oct. 31, 2013: A man suffered burns to much of his body after a honey oil lab exploded in Moreno Valley. Four children were taken into protective custody.
July 5, 2013: A probation compliance check at a home in Murrieta discovered two guns, high-capacity handgun magazines, more than 100 marijuana plants, components of a honey oil lab and packaging material. A 36-year-old man was arrested.
July 4, 2013: Two men were arrested in Murrieta after police said they found a sophisticated marijuana growing operation that included equipment to manufacture honey oil.
March 1, 2013: A 40-year-old Moreno Valley man suffered burns covering more than 40 percent of his body after an explosion in what was believed to be a honey oil lab.
Last edited:
Add another to the list!
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Police-Bitter-Lake-home-destroyed-by-hash-oil-fire-284013831.html
SEATTLE - A Bitter Lake home was destroyed by fire Tuesday night, and police said it appears the house contained an extensive hash oil extraction lab.
Firefighters responded to the blaze, in the 400 block of North 125th Street, at about 7:30 p.m. after receiving a report of smoke and flames coming from the structure.
The home was completely gutted by the fire, and police estimated it to be a total loss.
Firefighters found what appeared to be an extensive hash oil extraction lab inside, including marijuana and more than 150 butane cans.
Detectives interviewed the residents of the home, who were able to escape the fire uninjured.
An investigation continues.
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Police-Bitter-Lake-home-destroyed-by-hash-oil-fire-284013831.html
SEATTLE - A Bitter Lake home was destroyed by fire Tuesday night, and police said it appears the house contained an extensive hash oil extraction lab.
Firefighters responded to the blaze, in the 400 block of North 125th Street, at about 7:30 p.m. after receiving a report of smoke and flames coming from the structure.
The home was completely gutted by the fire, and police estimated it to be a total loss.
Firefighters found what appeared to be an extensive hash oil extraction lab inside, including marijuana and more than 150 butane cans.
Detectives interviewed the residents of the home, who were able to escape the fire uninjured.
An investigation continues.
http://www.kgw.com/story/news/local/2014/11/23/hash-oil-explosion-gas-station-bathroom/19455345/
Two injured in hash oil explosion inside gas station bathroom
Max Barr,
– Two men were injured in a hash oil explosion inside a convenience store bathroom early Sunday morning, fire investigators said.
The men were trying to extract hash oil from marijuana using butane gas when they caused an explosion and fire at the 76 station located at 10775 S.W. Greenburg Road.
Tigard police identified the duo as 18-year-old Dennis Tapia and 23-year-old Jose Rios.
Both men suffered severe burns. They drove themselves to a hospital but were later taken to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center, firefighters said.
The fire spread through a false ceiling and was threatening the gas station's convenience store, firefighters said, but crews put it out within a few minutes of arriving at the scene.
The bathroom was damaged by the explosion. The convenience store had some smoke damage.
"The process of extracting hash oil is very dangerous," said Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Investigator Jason Arn.
Tigard police told KGW the men have not been charged with a crime at this time, due to their medical conditions.
Two injured in hash oil explosion inside gas station bathroom
Max Barr,
– Two men were injured in a hash oil explosion inside a convenience store bathroom early Sunday morning, fire investigators said.
The men were trying to extract hash oil from marijuana using butane gas when they caused an explosion and fire at the 76 station located at 10775 S.W. Greenburg Road.
Tigard police identified the duo as 18-year-old Dennis Tapia and 23-year-old Jose Rios.
Both men suffered severe burns. They drove themselves to a hospital but were later taken to the Legacy Oregon Burn Center, firefighters said.
The fire spread through a false ceiling and was threatening the gas station's convenience store, firefighters said, but crews put it out within a few minutes of arriving at the scene.
The bathroom was damaged by the explosion. The convenience store had some smoke damage.
"The process of extracting hash oil is very dangerous," said Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Investigator Jason Arn.
Tigard police told KGW the men have not been charged with a crime at this time, due to their medical conditions.
http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/San-Diego-man-indicted-on-hash-oil-charges-284030941.html
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego man is charged in a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday with various drug and weapons counts, including endangering human life while illegally manufacturing hashish oil, in connection with an explosion at a marijuana dispensary that he operated.
Steve Elar Mora, 34, made his first appearance in U.S. District Court today and was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday.
According to court records, the explosion occurred due to an illicit "butane honey oil" lab operating at the marijuana dispensary. Also called "wax," hash oil is an extremely potent form of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects.
It is made by dissolving marijuana using dangerous substances such as butane -- or lighter fluid -- and selling the resulting residue to users at more than twice the price of other high quality marijuana products.
Efforts to extract hash oil are on the rise. Since October 2011, there have been about 20 butane honey oil fires/explosions in San Diego County, according to authorities.
The explosion connected to the indictment of Mora occurred July 21 at the Greenworks Dispensary in the Clairemont area of San Diego.
While executing a search warrant after the explosion, law enforcement also found a handgun and ammunition at the dispensary. According to the indictment, Mora has been convicted of two state felonies and is not allowed to possess a firearm under federal law.
DEA agents also found an AR-15 assault rifle during a search of Mora's home near Mission Bay High School in Pacific Beach, according to court papers.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego man is charged in a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday with various drug and weapons counts, including endangering human life while illegally manufacturing hashish oil, in connection with an explosion at a marijuana dispensary that he operated.
Steve Elar Mora, 34, made his first appearance in U.S. District Court today and was ordered held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday.
According to court records, the explosion occurred due to an illicit "butane honey oil" lab operating at the marijuana dispensary. Also called "wax," hash oil is an extremely potent form of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects.
It is made by dissolving marijuana using dangerous substances such as butane -- or lighter fluid -- and selling the resulting residue to users at more than twice the price of other high quality marijuana products.
Efforts to extract hash oil are on the rise. Since October 2011, there have been about 20 butane honey oil fires/explosions in San Diego County, according to authorities.
The explosion connected to the indictment of Mora occurred July 21 at the Greenworks Dispensary in the Clairemont area of San Diego.
While executing a search warrant after the explosion, law enforcement also found a handgun and ammunition at the dispensary. According to the indictment, Mora has been convicted of two state felonies and is not allowed to possess a firearm under federal law.
DEA agents also found an AR-15 assault rifle during a search of Mora's home near Mission Bay High School in Pacific Beach, according to court papers.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11359150
Extracting in a closed structure, he was inside the bomb blast, 3000 degrees.
Cannabis resin found at scene of explosion
11:59 AM Saturday Nov 15, 2014
Photo / file Photo / file
A Green Island man was left with burnt hands and a garden shed minus one wall after an explosion during a drug-making operation last month, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
Self-employed designer William James White (29) was using butane to extract cannabis oil from plant material early on October 13 when an explosion blew out one wall of the shed, prosecutor Sergeant Chris George said.
Police arrived and found pieces of the wall sticking in the ground. White had burns to his hands. Fire officers made the shed safe and White was taken to Dunedin Hospital for treatment for his burns. When the shed was searched, police found cannabis resin, 509g of cannabis plant material and empty butane cannisters.
White was interviewed three days later and said he was extracting cannabis oil at the time. But he did not know what had caused the explosion. The cannabis oil was for his own use to regulate his depression and help him focus, he told police. He also said he had manufactured cannabis oil several times between March and the time of the explosion.
He yesterday admitted a charge of producing a class B controlled drug and was remanded on bail for sentence next month.
Extracting in a closed structure, he was inside the bomb blast, 3000 degrees.
Cannabis resin found at scene of explosion
11:59 AM Saturday Nov 15, 2014
Photo / file Photo / file
A Green Island man was left with burnt hands and a garden shed minus one wall after an explosion during a drug-making operation last month, the Dunedin District Court heard yesterday.
Self-employed designer William James White (29) was using butane to extract cannabis oil from plant material early on October 13 when an explosion blew out one wall of the shed, prosecutor Sergeant Chris George said.
Police arrived and found pieces of the wall sticking in the ground. White had burns to his hands. Fire officers made the shed safe and White was taken to Dunedin Hospital for treatment for his burns. When the shed was searched, police found cannabis resin, 509g of cannabis plant material and empty butane cannisters.
White was interviewed three days later and said he was extracting cannabis oil at the time. But he did not know what had caused the explosion. The cannabis oil was for his own use to regulate his depression and help him focus, he told police. He also said he had manufactured cannabis oil several times between March and the time of the explosion.
He yesterday admitted a charge of producing a class B controlled drug and was remanded on bail for sentence next month.
http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-ne...ut-rise-in-thc-extraction-explosions/29913382
Fire officials concerned about rise in THC extraction explosions
Trio of explosions in last year due to illegal, dangerous extraction of THC
Author:
Fire officials concerned about rise in THC extraction explosions
Show Transcript
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -
Fire officials say there's been another explosion due to the illegal processing of hash oil which blew the windows out of a trailer in Spokane Valley.
Four days ago someone in the trailer was trying to extract THC from marijuana stems and leaves using a flammable substance when there was an explosion that knocked off the side paneling and shattering windows.
In the last year there have been at least three injury causing explosions related to marijuana processing in the Spokane area.
“If you participate in this type of activity and use butane in this way it's inherently dangerous," said Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Shaeffer.
People trying to make hash oil from marijuana force butane through stems and leaves in a compressed container. The result is a highly potent oil.
“We would recommend you leave it to the professionals and let them do that work," Schaeffer said.
Butane is fairly common as it can be found in everyday items, such as lighters, but you put it in a confined space and even a small amount will give you a slight explosion.
A butane explosion burned several units in north Spokane at Center Court Apartments back in January and last December a car exploded in the Garland District as the driver carrying a butane extractor in his trunk. That accident sent his daughter to the hospital.
Now legislators are taking a look at the problem but not from the marijuana side.
“We're really talking about the process of using butane the way that they are using it, massive amounts of butane," Schaeffer said.
While marijuana is legal and it is your property, you're allowed to do what you want with your property. Fire officials, however, encourage everyone to be as safe as possible.
Fire officials concerned about rise in THC extraction explosions
Trio of explosions in last year due to illegal, dangerous extraction of THC
Author:
Fire officials concerned about rise in THC extraction explosions
Show Transcript
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -
Fire officials say there's been another explosion due to the illegal processing of hash oil which blew the windows out of a trailer in Spokane Valley.
Four days ago someone in the trailer was trying to extract THC from marijuana stems and leaves using a flammable substance when there was an explosion that knocked off the side paneling and shattering windows.
In the last year there have been at least three injury causing explosions related to marijuana processing in the Spokane area.
“If you participate in this type of activity and use butane in this way it's inherently dangerous," said Spokane Assistant Fire Chief Brian Shaeffer.
People trying to make hash oil from marijuana force butane through stems and leaves in a compressed container. The result is a highly potent oil.
“We would recommend you leave it to the professionals and let them do that work," Schaeffer said.
Butane is fairly common as it can be found in everyday items, such as lighters, but you put it in a confined space and even a small amount will give you a slight explosion.
A butane explosion burned several units in north Spokane at Center Court Apartments back in January and last December a car exploded in the Garland District as the driver carrying a butane extractor in his trunk. That accident sent his daughter to the hospital.
Now legislators are taking a look at the problem but not from the marijuana side.
“We're really talking about the process of using butane the way that they are using it, massive amounts of butane," Schaeffer said.
While marijuana is legal and it is your property, you're allowed to do what you want with your property. Fire officials, however, encourage everyone to be as safe as possible.
http://abc7.com/news/1-dead-2-transported-in-muscoy-explosion/403222/
1 dead, 2 transported in Muscoy explosion
One person has died and two other people were transported to the hospital in critical condition following a possible gas explosion at a home in Muscoy.
KABC
By ABC7.com staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
MUSCOY, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY (KABC) --
One person has died and two other people were transported to the hospital in critical condition following a possible gas explosion at a home in Muscoy, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.
According to a sheriff's official, it is believed the explosion is tied to drug activity. Marijuana, butane and evidence of a marijuana extraction lab were found at the scene.
Crews responded to the scene at a home in the 3300 block of Gray Street.
All parties were accounted for, according to the department.
The explosion occurred in a back house behind the main residence.
One man was killed and a man and a woman were hospitalized in critical condition. The deceased man was reportedly buried under debris.
There was no evidence of hazardous materials on site, according to the department.
No evacuations were ordered.
The Southern California Gas Company tweeted that a crew and the fire department have ruled out natural gas as the cause of the explosion.
The investigation was expected to continue through the night.
1 dead, 2 transported in Muscoy explosion
One person has died and two other people were transported to the hospital in critical condition following a possible gas explosion at a home in Muscoy.
KABC
By ABC7.com staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
MUSCOY, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY (KABC) --
One person has died and two other people were transported to the hospital in critical condition following a possible gas explosion at a home in Muscoy, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.
According to a sheriff's official, it is believed the explosion is tied to drug activity. Marijuana, butane and evidence of a marijuana extraction lab were found at the scene.
Crews responded to the scene at a home in the 3300 block of Gray Street.
All parties were accounted for, according to the department.
The explosion occurred in a back house behind the main residence.
One man was killed and a man and a woman were hospitalized in critical condition. The deceased man was reportedly buried under debris.
There was no evidence of hazardous materials on site, according to the department.
No evacuations were ordered.
The Southern California Gas Company tweeted that a crew and the fire department have ruled out natural gas as the cause of the explosion.
The investigation was expected to continue through the night.
http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/refrigerated-hash-oil-explodes-auburn-home/njH8Y/
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Posted: 6:42 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014
Refrigerated hash oil explodes in Auburn home
comment(9)
AUBURN, Wash. —
A man caused $10,000 in damage to his Auburn home Saturday night when hash oil stored in his refrigerator exploded.
Police arrived at the home in the 400 block of N Street Northeast and found a woman and two men standing in the front lawn as firefighters responded to the explosion.
The homeowner told police he and a friend were sitting on the couch when the refrigerator exploded. The explosion blew the fridge's door off, shattered a window and damaged the kitchen's ceiling and walls.
The homeowner originally told police he didn't know what caused the explosion but later admitted to a fire investigator that he'd cooked hash oil a few days ago and placed the unwashed tubes in the fridge.
Police said the homeowner was not arrested since the homeowner was not actively cooking the hash oil when the explosion occurred. No one was injured in the explosion.
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> News
Posted: 6:42 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014
Refrigerated hash oil explodes in Auburn home
comment(9)
AUBURN, Wash. —
A man caused $10,000 in damage to his Auburn home Saturday night when hash oil stored in his refrigerator exploded.
Police arrived at the home in the 400 block of N Street Northeast and found a woman and two men standing in the front lawn as firefighters responded to the explosion.
The homeowner told police he and a friend were sitting on the couch when the refrigerator exploded. The explosion blew the fridge's door off, shattered a window and damaged the kitchen's ceiling and walls.
The homeowner originally told police he didn't know what caused the explosion but later admitted to a fire investigator that he'd cooked hash oil a few days ago and placed the unwashed tubes in the fridge.
Police said the homeowner was not arrested since the homeowner was not actively cooking the hash oil when the explosion occurred. No one was injured in the explosion.
This is a follow up on a previous butane explosion.
http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/284270231.html
Four plead guilty to hash oil manufacturing explosions | U.S. District Court
Nov 30, 2014 at 3:22PM
Four men charged in July 2014 with two separate hash oil explosions pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The charges relate to explosions in Kirkland on January 1, 2014 and in Bellevue on November 5, 2013. Sentencing hearings for the defendants are scheduled for March.
Daniel James Strycharske, 28, and Jesse D. Kaplan, 31, pleaded guilty today to Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises and Manufacturing Hash Oil and Marijuana in connection with the Bellevue explosion and fire on November 5, 2013 at the Hampton Greens apartment complex. Former Bellevue Mayor Nan Campbell was hospitalized for a broken pelvis she suffered trying to escape the flames. She later died following complications after her hospitalization. Two other apartment residents suffered shattered bones as they had to jump from their upper level apartments.
Robby Wayne Meiser, 46, and Bruce W. Mark, 62, pleaded guilty to Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances in connection with the January 1, 2014 explosion and fire at the Inglenook Apartments in Kirkland. The explosion and fire threw debris some 25 feet, moved the north wall of the building 6-8 inches, and disconnected the roof from the building walls.
Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and Manufacturing Hash Oil and Marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The cases were investigated by multiple local and federal agencies including: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bellevue Police Department, the Seattle Police Department, and the Kirkland Police Department.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Vince Lombardi.
Another Darwin Award. Do not use butane inside buildings. This caused deaths, injuries to innocent people and ruined the apartment building for many survivors, they lost everything.
http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/news/284270231.html
Four plead guilty to hash oil manufacturing explosions | U.S. District Court
Nov 30, 2014 at 3:22PM
Four men charged in July 2014 with two separate hash oil explosions pleaded guilty this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. The charges relate to explosions in Kirkland on January 1, 2014 and in Bellevue on November 5, 2013. Sentencing hearings for the defendants are scheduled for March.
Daniel James Strycharske, 28, and Jesse D. Kaplan, 31, pleaded guilty today to Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances, Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises and Manufacturing Hash Oil and Marijuana in connection with the Bellevue explosion and fire on November 5, 2013 at the Hampton Greens apartment complex. Former Bellevue Mayor Nan Campbell was hospitalized for a broken pelvis she suffered trying to escape the flames. She later died following complications after her hospitalization. Two other apartment residents suffered shattered bones as they had to jump from their upper level apartments.
Robby Wayne Meiser, 46, and Bruce W. Mark, 62, pleaded guilty to Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances in connection with the January 1, 2014 explosion and fire at the Inglenook Apartments in Kirkland. The explosion and fire threw debris some 25 feet, moved the north wall of the building 6-8 inches, and disconnected the roof from the building walls.
Endangering Human Life While Manufacturing Controlled Substances is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and Manufacturing Hash Oil and Marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The cases were investigated by multiple local and federal agencies including: the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bellevue Police Department, the Seattle Police Department, and the Kirkland Police Department.
The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Vince Lombardi.
Another Darwin Award. Do not use butane inside buildings. This caused deaths, injuries to innocent people and ruined the apartment building for many survivors, they lost everything.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-winstock/butane-hash-oil-good-bad-ugly_b_6154208.html
Butane Hash Oil -- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Posted: 12/02/2014 12:20 pm EST Updated: 12/02/2014 12:59 pm EST
Martin
Messing With Mother Nature
I live in London. And to my knowledge, butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, honey, wax has not yet made a significant mark on the UK or European cannabis market. It is here for sure. The occasional patient I see in clinic, the off-the-cuff remark from the police, even the odd report of a corner street explosion. But to my knowledge we are not anywhere close to the US when it comes to this new potent form of cannabis with THC percentages running at 60 to 80 percent. It's for this reason I asked Mallory Loflin to co-author this piece with me because I wanted to make sure we knew what we were talking about.
As a general rule, anytime "man" starts messing with Mother Nature, the outcomes when related to drugs is generally not good. From a public health perspective it is rarely an improvement on the original. I'm not saying drug purification and distillation does not make a drug more fun (well, I guess chewing coca leaves and running up the mountain after your goat is hardly fun compared to what some people get up to on cocaine), but messing with nature does come at a cost. And as GDS2015, which has a huge focus on BHO and is set to become the biggest drug survey ever, launches, we thought it might be worth speculating whether the reinvention and promotion of hash oil and the explosion of vaping devices is going to turn out to be good, bad or rather ugly.
Learning From the Past
The history of drugs suggests that nature tends to restrict the potential of psychoactive substances to create large scale dependence and social unrest. Leave most compounds in their natural state, place some culture bound rituals around them, don't package and distribute them, avoid laborious processes to permit consumption through routes other than swallowing and most of all give purification/distillation a wide berth and many of the most troublesome drugs of the 21st century would be less problematic. And whilst we look toward technology and invention for the next great leaps in making drug use safer for people (commonsense drug regulation would be rather helpful but less easy to market!), recent history suggests that technological advances tend to undermine nature's inherent harm reduction strategies and make the use of most drugs more dangerous and risky.
From the isolation and purification of cocaine and morphine from their plant based origins to the distillation of alcohol from fermented fruits, arecoline and other psychoactive alkaloids from areca nut into Pan Masala and the methylation of amphetamine to methamphetamine -- almost without exception the development of a more potent form of a drug is associated with greater addiction potential and consequently risks of harms. The development of a more potent from of a drug is often partnered with a more efficient/rapid route of delivery. For cocaine hydrochloride and morphine, it was the ability for the drug to be injected leading to rapid reinforcement whilst for crack cocaine and methamphetamine subtle molecular alteration allowed the drug to be smoked leading to a more rapid onset of action with a shorter, more intense high.
But that is not the whole story. What's missing is the "why." Historically, the drive to isolate, modify and purify was not, we assume, to increase the harms associated with the use of the drug, but was "a byproduct" of scientific advancement and well intentioned medical and pharmaceutical interests in broadening the therapeutic efficacy and availability of these plants' "healing" properties. And in a similar fashion the context for the rise of many of these new, potent forms of cannabis, such as BHO and other concentrates, was the demand by those with medical conditions for preparations that could minimize smoking-related harms and facilitate easier adoption of oral consumption. So just like the synthesis of morphine, leading to greatly improved therapeutic application compared to the poppy's original derivative, opium, the movement to create a stronger and more potent form of cannabis might be a good thing. And these potential harm reduction benefits (through having to smoke less combustible product or the use of a vape pen and promotion of oral use) could extend to the non-medical use community.
So what does the evidence say? Early research conducted by Mallory Lofflin and her co-author Mitch Earleywine (1) suggests recreational users did indeed prefer BHO to traditionally smoked flower cannabis because the effects were stronger and onset more rapid. For a medicinal user who relies on cannabis to alleviate symptoms, this is a very desirable property. But their study of about 350 users of BHO does suggest that some concerns might be warranted. Although their analyses revealed that using "dabs" created no more problems or accidents than using flower cannabis, users did report that "dabs" led to the development of higher tolerance and withdrawal, suggesting that the practice might be more likely to lead to the development of dependence.
The Future?
As parts of the world drift into revising the regulation of cannabis, the appearance of butane hash oil in parts of US raises concerns about whether history is about to repeat itself. We worry that cannabis purification and reformulation combined with the commercialization of the cannabis industry in partnership with a new generation of vaporizers ("safe delivery devices") might lead to greater cannabis harms. We worry that the cannabis industry might start to think like the tobacco industry where CEOs embraced (then buried) the realization that users dependent on your product are good for profits. We worry that edibles coming in the form of chocolate bars with 16 segments where each one is a dose are going to lead to all sorts of "white-outs." Really, who ever had one piece of chocolate? So while we don't have much evidence for this, we at least wanted to give it a bit of thought before we punch the numbers from the responses we get in from GDS2015.
There's a reason that almost all medications carry warning labels and why medical doctors and pharmacists discuss ways to reduce dependency risk with their patients. We see no reason why the cannabis industry should not follow suit. Being cognizant of safety when making recommendations to cannabis patients and consumers is not antithetical to the goals of the cannabis industry. In fact being fully up front that some people become dependent and that the use of cannabis especially heavy, regular use and consumption by the young, those with mental illness and those who are pregnant can be harmful is totally essential and will only create respect within the wider community. Guidelines are needed for cannabis use in exactly the same way they are needed for alcohol (2) For a movement that needs to distinguish itself from the tobacco and alcohol industries, dispensaries would be well served by advocating for the establishment of risk indexes to inform recommendations for use and best practices for safety such as the GDS Highway Code (3). Where does BHO fall in that index? That's what we're trying to find out.
Butane Hash Oil -- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Posted: 12/02/2014 12:20 pm EST Updated: 12/02/2014 12:59 pm EST
Messing With Mother Nature
I live in London. And to my knowledge, butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, honey, wax has not yet made a significant mark on the UK or European cannabis market. It is here for sure. The occasional patient I see in clinic, the off-the-cuff remark from the police, even the odd report of a corner street explosion. But to my knowledge we are not anywhere close to the US when it comes to this new potent form of cannabis with THC percentages running at 60 to 80 percent. It's for this reason I asked Mallory Loflin to co-author this piece with me because I wanted to make sure we knew what we were talking about.
As a general rule, anytime "man" starts messing with Mother Nature, the outcomes when related to drugs is generally not good. From a public health perspective it is rarely an improvement on the original. I'm not saying drug purification and distillation does not make a drug more fun (well, I guess chewing coca leaves and running up the mountain after your goat is hardly fun compared to what some people get up to on cocaine), but messing with nature does come at a cost. And as GDS2015, which has a huge focus on BHO and is set to become the biggest drug survey ever, launches, we thought it might be worth speculating whether the reinvention and promotion of hash oil and the explosion of vaping devices is going to turn out to be good, bad or rather ugly.
Learning From the Past
The history of drugs suggests that nature tends to restrict the potential of psychoactive substances to create large scale dependence and social unrest. Leave most compounds in their natural state, place some culture bound rituals around them, don't package and distribute them, avoid laborious processes to permit consumption through routes other than swallowing and most of all give purification/distillation a wide berth and many of the most troublesome drugs of the 21st century would be less problematic. And whilst we look toward technology and invention for the next great leaps in making drug use safer for people (commonsense drug regulation would be rather helpful but less easy to market!), recent history suggests that technological advances tend to undermine nature's inherent harm reduction strategies and make the use of most drugs more dangerous and risky.
From the isolation and purification of cocaine and morphine from their plant based origins to the distillation of alcohol from fermented fruits, arecoline and other psychoactive alkaloids from areca nut into Pan Masala and the methylation of amphetamine to methamphetamine -- almost without exception the development of a more potent form of a drug is associated with greater addiction potential and consequently risks of harms. The development of a more potent from of a drug is often partnered with a more efficient/rapid route of delivery. For cocaine hydrochloride and morphine, it was the ability for the drug to be injected leading to rapid reinforcement whilst for crack cocaine and methamphetamine subtle molecular alteration allowed the drug to be smoked leading to a more rapid onset of action with a shorter, more intense high.
But that is not the whole story. What's missing is the "why." Historically, the drive to isolate, modify and purify was not, we assume, to increase the harms associated with the use of the drug, but was "a byproduct" of scientific advancement and well intentioned medical and pharmaceutical interests in broadening the therapeutic efficacy and availability of these plants' "healing" properties. And in a similar fashion the context for the rise of many of these new, potent forms of cannabis, such as BHO and other concentrates, was the demand by those with medical conditions for preparations that could minimize smoking-related harms and facilitate easier adoption of oral consumption. So just like the synthesis of morphine, leading to greatly improved therapeutic application compared to the poppy's original derivative, opium, the movement to create a stronger and more potent form of cannabis might be a good thing. And these potential harm reduction benefits (through having to smoke less combustible product or the use of a vape pen and promotion of oral use) could extend to the non-medical use community.
So what does the evidence say? Early research conducted by Mallory Lofflin and her co-author Mitch Earleywine (1) suggests recreational users did indeed prefer BHO to traditionally smoked flower cannabis because the effects were stronger and onset more rapid. For a medicinal user who relies on cannabis to alleviate symptoms, this is a very desirable property. But their study of about 350 users of BHO does suggest that some concerns might be warranted. Although their analyses revealed that using "dabs" created no more problems or accidents than using flower cannabis, users did report that "dabs" led to the development of higher tolerance and withdrawal, suggesting that the practice might be more likely to lead to the development of dependence.
The Future?
As parts of the world drift into revising the regulation of cannabis, the appearance of butane hash oil in parts of US raises concerns about whether history is about to repeat itself. We worry that cannabis purification and reformulation combined with the commercialization of the cannabis industry in partnership with a new generation of vaporizers ("safe delivery devices") might lead to greater cannabis harms. We worry that the cannabis industry might start to think like the tobacco industry where CEOs embraced (then buried) the realization that users dependent on your product are good for profits. We worry that edibles coming in the form of chocolate bars with 16 segments where each one is a dose are going to lead to all sorts of "white-outs." Really, who ever had one piece of chocolate? So while we don't have much evidence for this, we at least wanted to give it a bit of thought before we punch the numbers from the responses we get in from GDS2015.
There's a reason that almost all medications carry warning labels and why medical doctors and pharmacists discuss ways to reduce dependency risk with their patients. We see no reason why the cannabis industry should not follow suit. Being cognizant of safety when making recommendations to cannabis patients and consumers is not antithetical to the goals of the cannabis industry. In fact being fully up front that some people become dependent and that the use of cannabis especially heavy, regular use and consumption by the young, those with mental illness and those who are pregnant can be harmful is totally essential and will only create respect within the wider community. Guidelines are needed for cannabis use in exactly the same way they are needed for alcohol (2) For a movement that needs to distinguish itself from the tobacco and alcohol industries, dispensaries would be well served by advocating for the establishment of risk indexes to inform recommendations for use and best practices for safety such as the GDS Highway Code (3). Where does BHO fall in that index? That's what we're trying to find out.
