Bho Disasters (PLEASE READ!)

[hush]

In a perfect world, he would NOT be charged with manufacturing and possession, but WOULD have the book thrown at him for endangering lives. I don't want people being punished for anything related to cannabis, ever. But in these cases, all throughout this thread, what they are doing completely eclipses any association with cannabis. They are working with compressed explosives in a residential area, with unwitting humans in the blast zone.

We have to worry about lots of things in this world... but worrying about whether your neighbor downstairs is going to blow your ass up should not be one of them.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.thecannabist.co/2015/03/09/aurora-considering-ban-types-private-hash-production/31320/


Packages of shatter hash made using 'BHO' butane hash oil extraction. (Joe Amon, Denver Post file)
Aurora weighs ban on all types of home hash oil production

Published: Mar 9, 2015, 12:17 am Comments (21)

By Carlos Illescas, The Denver Post

AURORA — City leaders are working on an ordinance to ban all types of private hash oil production — whether the chemicals used in the process are flammable or not — while legitimate licensed manufacturers will still be permitted in the city.

The proposal comes after the city has had six explosions or fires since October 2013 linked to the manufacture of hash oil at private residences.

Three people were sent to area hospitals, and several apartments were damaged in the incidents.

Courts are also having a difficult time determining what is prosecutable and what is not after voters passed Amendment 64, which allows for the use and possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.
Hash oil

WATCH: see the butane explosions and fire in Wash. hash-oil extraction, recorded by a neighbor

Lexicon: “Butane Hash Oil” defined

Volatile: Read up on fires and explosions in Colorado linked to hash oil extraction

Follow The Cannabist on Twitter and Facebook

Hash oil is a form of marijuana, a resinous material obtained from the plant by solvent extrication.

The oil can be extracted using butane, or alcohol (such as rubbing alcohol or Everclear) and even water or ice.

At a recent Public Safety Committee meeting in Aurora, Fire Department Capt. Siegfried Klein laid out a proposed ordinance that would ban hash oil production.

People are still allowed to purchase and use it, as permitted under state law. The dangers of producing “honey oil,” as hash oil is sometimes called, led the city to develop the new ordinance, which will go before the full City Council at an upcoming meeting.

Aurora’s proposed municipal ordinance would give the city another layer of enforcement over the manufacturing of hash oil.

“We wanted to have an ordinance in place, so that people know despite what happens at the state level, the city believes it is a danger to public safety,” Klein said.

After discussing the issue further, the Public Safety Committee decided to tweak the measure to ban all forms of hash oil manufacturing, including “bubble hash” that is made with water.

“I don’t think we should be doing it with alcohol or anything,” said Aurora City Councilwoman Barb Cleland, who is a member of the Public Safety Committee.

Denver was one of the first cities to ban private hash oil manufacturing with flammable components such as butane or other gases.

People are allowed under the Denver rules to make hash oil at home using water or food-based methods, but must get a permit before performing alcohol- or ethanol-based extractions using heat produced by fuel or electricity.

If the measure passes in Aurora, violators of the hash oil ordinance could face up to a year in jail and a $2,650 fine, said Aurora assistant city attorney Julie Heckman.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2015/03/butane-honey-oil-risk-assessment.html



Butane Honey Oil Risk Assessment for First Responders
03/05/2015

By Todd Burton

Various forms of marijuana hash have been in use since Egyptian times. In the 1960s, it is believed that major hashish production and distribution started in Morocco. A new method of extracting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from marijuana has caught on like wildfire in the last few years, butane hash oil (BHO) or butane honey oil (BHO). This is a method where flammable butane gas dissolves the THC resin and concentrates it when the butane boils off. That’s the problem with this dangerous method--the flammable butane vapors accumulate low to the ground and can find ignition sources, causing an explosion, some of which have severely burned BHO lab operators. This also often results in major damage to the dwellings where this BHO lab was in operation. Often, innocent people are involved in these incidents as the fire spreads.

This type of lab is a serious hazard for first responders as the gas has no odor and can only be detected by a combustible gas instrument (CGI). We conducted a scientific evaluation involving some of these explosions and tried to determine if they create serious pressure (psi) waves with acceleration (G-force) like a conventional explosive. Also, the temperatures were analyzed when a varying amount of butane gas was ignited, typically 1-20 cans. One of the most important aspects of the study was to take a look at ignition sources that can ignite the butane. The explosions in this study do not generate PSI and G-Force like conventional explosions. The temperatures generated in the explosions are >500F depending on the dispersal method. Successful ignition sources included static electricity, Taser, electric arcs and open flames. Other ignitions sources that did not ignite the butane were hot plates, vacuum pumps, a refrigerator, shotgun and a cigarette.

Honey oil, shatter, and wax are common terms for the relatively new method of extracting the TCH (tetrahydrocannabinol) from marijuana stems, leaves, and buds using butane. Hashish has been around for a long time, but the production does not require the volatile chemical butane to extract the small hair like trichomes that contain the THC from the plant. The BHO method uses butane to break off and dissolve the trichomes into the solvent and carry it away from the plant material. The butane is dispensed as a liquid, but quickly turns into a heavier-than-air gas that accumulates in low-lying areas. This condition creates a highly flammable dangerous environment. Butane is an extremely flammable material and is typically found in cigarette lighters. The BHO method allegedly provides for a greater yield than other methods and has become very popular. Although this method has taken off like methamphetamine in the 1980s, the frequency of ignition of butane in these labs has also increased. The explosions are becoming common in metropolitan areas or in states where marijuana is now legal. This study was conducted to bring awareness to the public and first responders on the dangers of responding to these BHO labs.

STUDY DESIGN AND LOCATION

The location chosen for this study is a retired Navy Training Center, now called the San Diego (CA) Regional Public Safety Training Center. This study is comprised of three phases that are discussed in detail below. The overall goals of this study are to bring awareness to the public and first responders.

Phase 1 was designed to observe the temperatures, blast pressure, and G-Force that could be generated from one can up to 20 cans of Power 5x.
Phase 2 was specific to ignition sources. Numerous potential ignition sources were tested to see if they could ignite the butane gas.
Phase 3 was designed to demonstrate the explosive potential and dangers of BHO labs. A small space was used to simulate a BHO lab and was filled with Butane gas and ignited.

For Phase 1 and 2, we used an old navy fire simulator. Inside the simulator are rooms lined with concrete along the walls and ceiling. Also, half-inch steel plates line the walls over the concrete. The floor is metal grating that had to be covered by half-inch plywood. All seams were sealed with aluminum tape. The room is 10x10x12 feet high. We constructed a door from 2x4 wood and plastic wrap so one could see inside the room when the ignition occurred. The door was wrapped two times with the plastic to create a more resistance and a life like explosion.

BUTANATOR

To disseminate the butane safely, it had to be controlled remotely. There were two dissemination devices built to meet this goal. The first one was constructed out of metal pipes that were strapped together and had a sharp object at the base to puncture the cans (Butanator 1). This released the butane quickly, but in liquid form, that pooled on an automotive drip pan below the Butanator 1 and did not boil off as expected due to auto refrigeration of the cold butane when dispensed.

Hazmat: Butanator 1

Picture 1. Butanator 1

The second device was created after phase one to aerosolize the butane effectively (Butanator 2). Both devices were remotely controlled to release the butane gas safely. This one was made out of wood so it was covered with fire gel to protect it from the heat of the ignition.

Hazmat: Butanator 2

Picture 2. Butanator 2

TEMPERATURE LABELS

To determine the temperatures generated by the ignition of the butane, temperature labels were obtained from Delta Trak. The temperature labels ranged from 100-500°F. These are peel and stick temperature labels that are clear when applied and darken when the temperature is reached, leaving a black box in its place. These temperature labels were located inside the burn areas and placed on a mannequin, and outside of the ignition area, spaced at intervals of three, five, seven, and nine feet from the door. These labels were placed on ceramic tile that was fastened to a piece of metal rebar which was set in a concrete block. Temperature sensors were places at 30 inches from the ground because, in some test runs, the expelled flame was very low to the ground due to the gas being two times heavier than air.

Hazmat: Temperature labels on ceramic tiles.

Picture 3. Temperature labels on ceramic tiles. The red circle indicates a temperature of 100F as the 100F block is now a dark color.

According to the University of California San Diego Burn Ward, a severe injury would be, at minimum, a deep second-degree burn and possibly a third-degree burn in a young child or someone older than 65. In most cases, temperatures over 160°F with a one-second exposure would cause a severe burn.

Hazmat: Scald index

Figure 1. Scald Index

BLAST GAUGES

In addition to temperature sensors, we also wanted to find out if there is any significant blast pressure generated, as in a conventional explosive. We obtained blast gauges from BlackBox Biometrics, which provides blast gauges for the military to wear on their clothing and helmets. The gauges measure pressure in psi and acceleration in G-force. These gauges were placed in the same locations as the temperature labels, outside of the room. In one instance we did use one inside but it melted when the gas was ignited. However, we were still able to recover the data!

Hazmat: Blast Gauge

Picture 4. Blast Gauge

INSTRUMENTATION

To measure the butane gas in the room, we plumbed in combustible gas indicators with tubing that were placed near the center of the room and located at one, three, and five feet high. The Eagle 2 (four-gas instrument) from RKI was used for this task. All Eagle 2 instruments were set to data log for all tests. The Eagle 2 was calibrated to Hexane and a correction factor (CF) of .64 was calculated for the Power 5x brand butane that we used. We also used the MSA Safe Sites with a combustible gas sensor (four-gas instrument) as a safety measure. The MSA Safe Site units surrounded the room where that gas was expelled, to monitor for migrating gas that could be a safety hazard. We could remotely read the MSA Safe Site instruments inside and outside the burn room. Safety issues included potential escaping gas or gas that did not ignite that needed to be ventilated to the outside. We could not effectively use a photo ionization detector (PID) due to the high ionization potential (IP) of the isobutane and propane. The IP of the lamp in our PID is 10.6 eV. The IP of propane and butane is greater than 10.6 eV.

The butane that was used for this study is the Power 5X brand. This brand seems to be very popular among the BHO lab operators because it has been refined five times (5x). The ingredients are not pure butane. The safety data sheet (SDS) lists isobutane, propane, and butane as the ingredients. The SDS physical and chemical properties are listed in yellow below.

Hazmat: Chemical and physical properties of Power 5x.

Table 1 Chemical and physical properties of Power 5x.

As noted, there are three different materials with different chemical and physical properties. The main ingredient of the Power 5x can is isobutane. Many BHO lab operators think that if they freeze the butane cans or the expelled butane THC mixture, it will stay as a liquid because the boiling point of butane is 31°F. That will work for “butane,” but not for isobutane or propane, since their boiling points are much lower (11.7°F and -42°F, respectively). Therefore 99.5 percent of the extracted THC Butane mixture will volatilize into the immediate area and find an ignition source if the Power 5x brand is used. Other brands of compressed “butane” will have varying ingredients.

The data and conclusions from this study will be incorporated into a first responder safety bulletin, in order to bring awareness to first responders who could encounter BHO laboratories in the future.

Download the complete report on the testing as a PDF HERE (1.1 MB).

This study was sponsored by the San Diego (CA) Fire Department (SDFD), Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST), San Diego Sheriffs Office Bomb Squad (SDSO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Narcotics Task Force (NTF), University California San Diego Burn Center, and Drager Safety.

Todd Burton works for the Hazardous Materials Division, Emergency Response County of San Diego.

RELATED FIREFIGHTER TRAINING

Fire Codes and Standards: Denver's Legalized Marijuana Industry and the Fire Code
Marijuana Oil Production Concerns Colorado Fire Officials
Fire EMS: Bath Salts and Synthetic Marijuana : An Emerging Threat
Clandestine Drug Labs Present Hidden Dangers for Firefighters
Firefighting in Clandestine Drug Labs
Responding to a Clandestine Drug Laboratory
Field Guides for Clandestine Drug Labs, IEDS

Go to site's url above, lots of fire fighting information by the professionals who fight butane type fires and explosions. jump /injack

 

[SkyHighLer]

Nice find jump /injack! They seem to have done some research, but still aren't so knowledgeable... maybe I should give them a hand.


You'd think they'd have understood how liquified gases behave at room temperature after their 'BUTANATOR' fail.

"BUTANATOR

To disseminate the butane safely, it had to be controlled remotely. There were two dissemination devices built to meet this goal. The first one was constructed out of metal pipes that were strapped together and had a sharp object at the base to puncture the cans (Butanator 1). This released the butane quickly, but in liquid form, that pooled on an automotive drip pan below the Butanator 1 and did not boil off as expected due to auto refrigeration of the cold butane when dispensed."

But no, they still don't understand liquified gases in an open container will boil off quickly only until the energy sucks down the containers temp to the boiling point of the gas, and then the liquified gas will just sit there in the container, very slowly boiling off just enough to provide the energy necessary to compensate for the container's outer surface area temp bleed off to ambient.

"As noted, there are three different materials with different chemical and physical properties. The main ingredient of the Power 5x can is isobutane. Many BHO lab operators think that if they freeze the butane cans or the expelled butane THC mixture, it will stay as a liquid because the boiling point of butane is 31°F. That will work for “butane,” but not for isobutane or propane, since their boiling points are much lower (11.7°F and -42°F, respectively). Therefore 99.5 percent of the extracted THC Butane mixture will volatilize into the immediate area and find an ignition source if the Power 5x brand is used."

No dude, even if you don't freeze the can, if you squirt it out as a liquid into a jar, all of it, including the propane will just sit slowly boiling away into the ambient air. If you shoot an IR thermometer into the jar you'll find the temp down at the Bp of propane.

Here's a video example of what I'm describing,

https://youtu.be/VTVRYk0Zdg4?t=1s

I wonder how much they'd offer me for consultation? ;-) I'd actually be willing to work with the SD FD on this, maybe if/when I'm feeling better, and get moved back to the coast.

 

[jump /injack]

"The explosions in this study do not generate PSI and G-Force like conventional explosions. The temperatures generated in the explosions are >500F depending on the dispersal method. Successful ignition sources included static electricity, Taser, electric arcs and open flames. Other ignitions sources that did not ignite the butane were hot plates, vacuum pumps, a refrigerator, shotgun and a cigarette".

Maybe Gray Wolf can chime in here for a bit. I've been saying that the fireball from butane is over 3400 degree and yet the article is saying 500F. The article also is saying that the explosive force isn't that much but a lot of dwelling have had their walls moved off the mud-sills and their roofs lifted completely off. There would be a difference in heat 'inside' the fireball and in some dwellings there might no be enough butane to cause much damage; there should be more explanations. Gray Wolf, you around? Look at what they say won't ignite butane, thats crazy all of those things will set butant off, if it can spark it can ignite it as far as I'm concerned ,they even have cigarette's as a none igniter.

 

[Hydrosun]

"The explosions in this study do not generate PSI and G-Force like conventional explosions. The temperatures generated in the explosions are >500F depending on the dispersal method. Successful ignition sources included static electricity, Taser, electric arcs and open flames. Other ignitions sources that did not ignite the butane were hot plates, vacuum pumps, a refrigerator, shotgun and a cigarette".

Maybe Gray Wolf can chime in here for a bit. I've been saying that the fireball from butane is over 3400 degree and yet the article is saying 500F. The article also is saying that the explosive force isn't that much but a lot of dwelling have had their walls moved off the mud-sills and their roofs lifted completely off. There would be a difference in heat 'inside' the fireball and in some dwellings there might no be enough butane to cause much damage; there should be more explanations. Gray Wolf, you around? Look at what they say won't ignite butane, thats crazy all of those things will set butant off, if it can spark it can ignite it as far as I'm concerned ,they even have cigarette's as a none igniter.

Any CLSers have a fire ball ever? Not sure it would be fun, but here is a story.

Captain Careless has MKIII, small machine 1.5"x24" columns. He takes off his columns a little early perhaps with too much butane because he is impatient (as his name implies).

Careless puts about 3 empty columns straight into a trash can and re-lodes the machine.

Careless decides to go over to the outside trash can containing 3 mkIII columns and clean a dab tool with a common dab torch.

Captain CAreless tested the strength of a trash can among other things.

Stay safe amigos.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/marijuana-growing-facilities-serious-concern-says-ri-fire-marshal

At the end of this article there is an additional 10 or 20 butane fire stories and pictures. There is going to be a lots of laws passed because of nature of the fires, if you know a legislator you might want to get ahead of what seems to be happening. Once laws are written they are very hard to change.

Marijuana Growing Facilities “Serious Concern,” Says RI Fire Marshal

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor

The Rhode Island Fire Marshall has said that he has "serious concerns" about marijuana growing facilities in Rhode Island.

State Fire Marshall John Chartier spoke with GoLocal following a five alarm fire on Kinsley Avenue that was put out on Tuesday, where the Cannabis Producer Association of New England (CPA) had been located.

Chartier said as an investigation is underway that he couldn't speak to the cause of the fire that began Monday night that required mutual aid from additional Rhode Island towns and injured one firefighter, but he did address his concerns about marijuana growing facilities in general in Rhode Island the state.

"Regardless of that fire, we've had concerns about grow facilities," said Chartier. "We've had at least two fires related to marijuana grow facilities in the state. A grow facility might be installed not quite up to code, which could lead to electric overloads, or be using butane as part of the process. Again, I'm not speaking directly to the [Kinsley Avenue] fire as it's still under investigation."

The utilization of the highly flammable butane in the production of butane hash oil has recently come under scrutiny. In Colorado, where marijuana is legal, the City of Aurora said it is looking ban all private hash oil production, as the city had six explosions or fires since October 2013 linked to the manufacture of hash oil at private residences, according to the Denver Post.

SLIDES: See Butane Hash Oil Explosions Across U.S. BELOW

On Tuesday, Chris White with the Cannabis Producer Association acknowledged that the office was no longer there, but he could could not provide any further comment on the fire or destruction of the building. The Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition had been slated to begin "grow classes" at CPA's location on Kinsley Avenue today.

Fire Marshal Chartier said that the fire was still "under consideration" on Tuesday in conjunction with the fire department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza shared pictures of the Kinsley Avenue building on Tuesday.
Chartier added that the latter was there for the size of the building, not any drug related activity. "Usually they get involved when there's a multi-million [dollar] loss for investigation," said Chartier. "The preliminary factor is a multi-million dollar loss."

Chartier said on Tuesday that the fire scene was still "hot" after it began burning on Monday night -- so their dogs couldn't be sent in to sniff out if there were any accelerants.

Noting that he couldn't speak specifically to the Kinsley Avenue fire, Chartier said that his office has seen fires related to marijuana production in Rhode Island recently.

"We had one near Central Falls and one in Barrington, but nothing of a fire of this magnitude," said Chartier. "What's happening with grow centers -- you get a license to grow, once you get that license, you can basically go and take it anywhere you want. You can go to a private home. The question has been, the folks at the Department of Health know the license owner, that doesn't mean we know where the facility is."

"The one in Barrington was an electrical overload," said Chartier of the two fires referenced. "The other one was in Valley Falls. The amount of grow lamps is an issue, especially in a cold environment, as it often doesn't conform with the amount of electricity that's available."

"Butane, on the other hand, is a highly flammable type of gas," said Chartier. "I don't know what it's used for in some marijuana production - just that it's used."

Law Enforcement Insight, Advocates Stress Regulations

Rhode Island State Police Detective Commander Major Kevin O'Brien addressed the legality of marijuana -- and butane -- in Rhode Island.

Like Chartier, O'Brien said he couldn't speak to the Kinsley Avenue fire, but rather the general situation regarding marijuana production in the state.

"If you're a [medical marijuana] patient, you're allowed twelve mature plants and 2.5 ounces," said O'Brien. "If you're a caregiver, you can have up to twenty four mature plants and five ounces."

"If there's butane present, and someone's growing marijuana, you can't do that," said O'Brien. "If you come upon a residence, and there's anything combustible along with marijuana, they can charged with manufacturing."

Last October, San Francisco police officer Keith Graves wrote a piece for the website PoliceOne entitled, "Butane Hash Oil: An Explosive Threat to Officers."

"Over the past few years, use and manufacturing of Butane Hash Oil (BHO) has skyrocketed," wrote Graves."This poses a significant threat to street officers and narcotics officers who are the first to respond to these explosions. If officers don’t take the right steps to ensure their personal safety on scene of a BHO lab, they can find themselves the next victims in a BHO explosion."

"We haven't arrested anyone in the state for locating butane with marijuana," said O'Brien. "With that being said, we just received clarification from the [Rhode Island] Attorney General a few weeks ago with regard to butane 'honey oil.' The [Attorney General's] office and appellate groups came to the conclusion that we can make arrests. I can only speak to the state police for not making any so far, I don't know about cities and towns."

The Office of the Attorney General refused to comment on Tuesday on the recent clarification made to law enforcement regarding butane and marijuana.

Jared Moffat with the legalization advocacy group Regulate Rhode Island said that he wasn't aware of any butane being used at the Kinsley Avenune location.

"I definitely wasn't aware of anything going on there, so I can't speak to that," said Moffat, who was at the press conference last week introducing tax and regulation legislation. "But butane hash should be regulated -- it's our core argument. Any production should be regulated to minimize public health risks."

"If you don't regulate, you'll have people do it an unregulated setting," Moffat continued. "Resisting regulation would ensure something like this kind of event could happen in the future, but again, I'm not speculating as to whether or not it was the cause."
Related Slideshow: Butane Hash Fires in the U.S.

Here is a look at the butane hash fires that have occured throughout the United States.

Prev Next
November 2011

Medford, Oregon

The heater in the house turned on causing the butane to explode. Seven people, including two kids, escaped from the explosion.

Read more
Prev


November 2011

November 2013

May 2014

May 2014

October 2014

October 2014

October 2014

October 2014

November 2014

Next
Related Articles

NEW: Massive Providence Fire Took Place at Marijuana Producers Association Building
Guest MINDSETTER Rep Scott Slater: Replace Illicit Marijuana Industry with Legitimate Businesses
Marijuana “Vape Lounge” to Open in Downtown Providence on Saturday
Obamacare Implications of Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island
Marijuana Tax Has Bipartisan Support in RI
Marijuana Tax Bill Presented to Senate Committee
Personality Test of Marijuana Users Reveals Surprising Results
Leonardo Angiulo: Further Refining the Investigation of Marijuana Offenses
Marijuana Debate Evolves as New Advocacy Group Forms
RI Hospital: Legalizing Med. Marijuana Does Not Increase Youth Use
Legalized Marijuana in Jeopardy with Mattiello as Speaker
Marijuana “Patient Vapor Lounge” to Open in Downtown Providence
Regulate RI Seeks to Make Rhode Island the Next State to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol
NEW: ACLU Files Suit Over Medical Marijuana Discrimination
Guest MINDSETTER™ David Ellison: It is Time We End the Prohibition of Marijuana
NEW: National Marijuana Advocate in RI for Legalization Forum
State Report: Marijuana Tax + Bill Targets Prostitutes and Pimps
Will New Findings on Marijuana Dangers Hurt Legalization Efforts?
Synthetic Marijuana: Is it the Next Heroin?
Can Medical Marijuana Help Stop the Opiate Epidemic in RI?
RI Lawmakers Introduce Marijuana Legalization Legislation
Ben And Jerry’s Open to Marijuana Infused Ice Cream
Lean Gov’t, Marijuana, and a Twin River Hotel: This Week at the State House
New Report: Legalized Marijuana Could Generate up to $82M for RI

If you want to read the above stories you have to go to the sites, here is the URL that will lead you to those other stories.

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/marijuana-growing-facilities-serious-concern-says-ri-fire-marshal

 

[Hydrosun]

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/marijuana-growing-facilities-serious-concern-says-ri-fire-marshal

At the end of this article there is an additional 10 or 20 butane fire stories and pictures. There is going to be a lots of laws passed because of nature of the fires, if you know a legislator you might want to get ahead of what seems to be happening. Once laws are written they are very hard to change.

Very true and there is NOTHING anyone can do about it, not even GrayWolf.

I fear that the tools in charge and the tools of change won't listen to him even if he speaks freely, with truth, and reasonable safety practices for all....

Does anyone know a place where people discuss how to break, bend, or ignore immoral rules and laws?

Perhaps a forum based mag type of place?

 

[Dablord]

I went over to an associates house the other day, i went out to the garage to look at something and he has his 12 year old son just sitting in the corner of the garage open blasting. As soon as i went out there the butane fumes where so overwhelming, i was fucking disgusted I cant believe someone would allow their 12 year old to sit out there and do that for them.

 

[Hydrosun]

I went over to an associates house the other day, i went out to the garage to look at something and he has his 12 year old son just sitting in the corner of the garage open blasting. As soon as i went out there the butane fumes where so overwhelming, i was fucking disgusted I cant believe someone would allow their 12 year old to sit out there and do that for them.

I would have pulled the kid the fuck out of the garage and walked off property with father and son.

Time to have a chat if he really is a friend.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/massive-providence-fire-was-at-marijuana-growing-facility

This was a HUGE fire, look at where it started.

NEW: Massive Providence Fire Took Place at Marijuana Producers Association Building

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team

The Cannabis Producers Association was located at the site of the massive fire at 498 Kinsley Ave.
The five-alarm fire that took place last night on Kinsley Avenue was the location of Cannabis Producers Association at 498 Kinsley Avenue.

Chris White, the point of contact for the Cannabis Producers Association of New England, confirmed that the office had been in the building. "It's no longer there, obviously," White told GoLocalProv.

"I have no further statement at this point until I collect more information," said White on Tuesday morning.

Butane Present?

According to the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, classes were available at the location at Kinsey Street for growing and harvesting marijuana, and making "bubble hash" and cannabis butter and tincture.

There is no word as to whether butane was present -- the highly flammable solvent used to make butane hash oil. Butane is not used in the productino of bubble hash.

"That's what I'm hearing, but I can't confirm," said Colonel Steve O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

The State Fire Marshall's office did not respond to press inquiry on the fire Wednesday morning.

See the the Cannabis Producers Association lobbyist filing with the Secretary of State's office below:

 

[Hydrosun]

http://www.golocalprov.com/news/massive-providence-fire-was-at-marijuana-growing-facility

This was a HUGE fire, look at where it started.

NEW: Massive Providence Fire Took Place at Marijuana Producers Association Building

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team

The Cannabis Producers Association was located at the site of the massive fire at 498 Kinsley Ave.
The five-alarm fire that took place last night on Kinsley Avenue was the location of Cannabis Producers Association at 498 Kinsley Avenue.

Chris White, the point of contact for the Cannabis Producers Association of New England, confirmed that the office had been in the building. "It's no longer there, obviously," White told GoLocalProv.

"I have no further statement at this point until I collect more information," said White on Tuesday morning.

Butane Present?

According to the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, classes were available at the location at Kinsey Street for growing and harvesting marijuana, and making "bubble hash" and cannabis butter and tincture.

There is no word as to whether butane was present -- the highly flammable solvent used to make butane hash oil. Butane is not used in the productino of bubble hash.

"That's what I'm hearing, but I can't confirm," said Colonel Steve O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.

The State Fire Marshall's office did not respond to press inquiry on the fire Wednesday morning.

See the the Cannabis Producers Association lobbyist filing with the Secretary of State's office below:

The above canna industry participant has state licensure and its own registered lobbyist.

These are their chosen solutions.

Now let's see them blame a flower or a refrigerant, NOT their regulators or licensed bribe payers.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/...und-rock-man-burns-himself-house-in-ha/nkTGN/

Affidavit: Round Rock man burns himself, house in hash explosion
6:51 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2015 | Filed in: Crime
Comments 7

MyStatesman


A Round Rock man making hash in a closet caused an explosion that burned him and caused a house fire, according to an arrest affidavit released Wednesday.

Justin Michael Rogers, 23, was charged March 5 with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He was taken to a hospital after he received burns on his hands, arms, parts of his chest and face, the affidavit said.

The explosion heavily damaged the upstairs portion of a house on June 17, 2014, at 1803 Taurus Court in Round Rock, the affidavit said. It said Rogers told a police officer that the explosion happened after he tried to burn marijuana with butane gas in order to make hash oil.
Affidavit: Round Rock man burns himself, house in hash explosion photo
Justin Michael Rogers

“This method has resulted in numerous explosions around the country as a result of the flammable nature of the butane,” the document said. Hash oil is a resin extracted from a raw marijuana leaf.

Rogers was being held in the Williamson County Jail on Wednesday with bail set at $50,000, according to court records. He was also being held on a previous unrelated charge of theft of a firearm, with bail set at $50,000, the records said.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-hash-oil-labs-20140922-story.html



Hash-oil labs raided amid a growing offshoot of the illicit drug trade
Hash-oil labs are 'everywhere'

Items seized last week during DEA raids on hash-oil labs in San Diego County include hash-oil extraction equipment and cash. Clandestine hash-oil labs, some of them "mom and pop" operations, are popping up throughout the West Coast, officials say. (DEA)
By Tony Perry contact the reporter

Crime
Drug Trafficking

Seven men and two women are facing felony charges here stemming from what authorities say is a new and highly dangerous offshoot of the illicit drug trade: extracting hash oil from marijuana.

For users, hash oil offers a quick and lasting high. For sellers, it is easy to make and offers large profits.

But extracting the oil requires heat and solvent — often industrial-strength butane — that can lead to explosions and fires.
The people who are using dangerous chemicals to extract hash oil do so without concern for anything other than making a profit. - William Sherman, DEA special agent in charge of the San Diego office

Butane gas is odorless, colorless and highly explosive. It is known to "travel" toward an ignition point like a cigarette lighter, a pilot light or a light switch.

"Basically what we have is an amateurish, uncontrolled use of large amounts of explosives in enclosed or improperly vented spaces," said David Williams, a San Diego County deputy district attorney.

Twenty explosions and fires throughout San Diego County in the last 12 months were caused by clandestine hash-oil labs, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
lRelated The mother of marijuana legalization: Pot comes 'out of the shadows'

Nation Now
The mother of marijuana legalization: Pot comes 'out of the shadows'

When an explosion last year blew out windows and walls at the Heritage Inn in San Diego's Midway area, two men and a woman were burned. One of the men was engulfed in flames from head to toe as he fled screaming.

The nine people arrested in last week's DEA raids on locations in San Diego, Spring Valley, Chula Vista and El Cajon are not linked to explosions or fires, according to court documents.

All are facing drug charges. A married couple among the nine are also facing charges of child endangerment for allegedly extracting the hash oil near the bedroom where their toddler slept.
cComments



Add a comment See all comments
9

"The people who are using dangerous chemicals to extract hash oil do so without concern for anything other than making a profit," said William Sherman, DEA special agent in charge of the San Diego office.

Clandestine hash-oil labs, some of them "mom and pop" operations, are popping up throughout the West Coast, often in motels and suburban homes and garages, according to law enforcement officials.

Since Jan. 2, a drug task force comprising members of local, state and federal agencies in San Diego County has investigated more than 50 hash-oil labs.

"They're everywhere," said Sheriff's Lt. Kelly Martinez. "It's just an easy process, and it's very easy to get the materials."

There are indications that drug cartels may be moving into the hash-oil business, Martinez said. "They've realized that it's very profitable."

Hash oil can sell for $40 to $80 a gram.

Although it is illegal to extract the hash oil from marijuana, selling the oil, at least on a retail basis, may not be illegal in California under its medicinal-marijuana law, officials said.

Ads commonly offer hash oil under various names, such as honey oil, dabs, earwax and shatter.

Agents said that in one apartment raided last week, they found the lab was in full operation, with butane building up in a bathroom. Agents needed to retreat until the lab could be shut down and the butane dissipated.

In the raids, agents said they seized items common to hash-oil labs: numerous cans of butane, large amounts of hash oil and marijuana, bundled cash (about $25,000) and a semi-automatic rifle with several magazines.

On its website, the U.S. Fire Administration offers arch advice to anyone considering setting up a hash-oil operation: "How to make hash oil, explode your house and blow off your hand in 3 easy steps."

 

[gholladay]

^^ man.. that "industrial strength butane" must be the real deal lmao

 

[Hydrosun]

^^ man.. that "industrial strength butane" must be the real deal lmao

I am willing to sell it to anyone....

Just PM me.

Instructions on how to use it found in the concentrates forum.

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.oceansidestar.com/news/drug-lab-caused-explosion-police-say-1.897098



Drug lab caused explosion, police say

Julie Bertrand / Oceanside Star
March 13, 2014 12:00 AM


Reporters on Nahmint Road Tuesday could only glimpse the home through the brush. Photograph By BRIAN WILFORD/OCEANSIDE STAR

An illicit drug lab caused an explosion at a north Qualicum Beach home that sent three men to the hospital on Monday with serious burns, Oceanside RCMP said Wednesday.

The men were using butane to extract and produce cannabis oil, said Oceanside RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jesse Foreman. Butane is poured over the top of a cannabis shake, which pulls out THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the principal psychoactive component of marijuana, from the leaves and creates a gummy substance, he said. "There is no heating involved, but it creates a lot of fumes."

The process created a very dangerous and unstable environment,

he said. A spark from an unknown source likely resulted in the explosion and fire. The small fire was largely confined to the home's basement and was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

Firefighters found the three men outside the home with burns to their upper bodies and faces.

Firefighters from Dashwood, Qualicum Beach and Parksville were involved with police in investigating the cause of the fire Tuesday, as was a crew from the B.C. Ambulance Service.

Foreman said it isn't known how long the isolated two-storey home on Nahmint Road in Dashwood has been used for cannabis oil production.

The three men were seriously injured and remain in hospital.

The two men in Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria are still in serious condition, Foreman said, while the man in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is doing better.

© Oceanside Star

 

[SkyHighLer]

Well written, accurate, and balanced story, this is what we need.

"Hash explosions prompt proposed changes in legal pot states

By KRISTEN WYATT and GENE JOHNSON

DENVER (AP) — Alarmed by a rash of explosions and injuries caused when amateurs make hash, lawmakers in Colorado and Washington are considering spelling out what's allowed when it comes to making the concentrated marijuana at home.

The proposals came after an increase in home fires and blasts linked to homemade hash, concentrated marijuana that can be inhaled or eaten.

In Colorado, at least 30 people were injured last year in 32 butane explosions involving hash oil — nearly three times the number reported throughout 2013, according to officials with the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a state-federal enforcement program.

Washington's legal marijuana law in 2012 did not permit the production of hash or even edibles at home; it technically remains a felony even to use weed purchased at a state-licensed store to make brownies. Nevertheless, many people have done it.

Federal prosecutors in Seattle have brought charges in five cases where hash-oil operations blew up, including at one apartment complex where an 87-year-old former mayor of Bellevue died after sustaining an injury while trying to escape a fire that started in another unit.

People make hash oil at home for the same reasons they make beer, wine or booze — to save money, make it to personal taste, or as a hobby.

Though there are safer methods, such as soaking marijuana in a vegetable-based glycerin, one common practice is to force a solvent such as butane or propane gas or liquid through leafy cannabis, a process that separates its psychoactive material from buds, leaves and stems.

After the extraction, the hash-maker then releases the gas or boils off the liquid, leaving behind marijuana's psychoactive material in a potent goop. The resulting product — called hash oil or shatter or wax in even more concentrated form — can be added to foods without the grassy taste raw pot imparts.

Without proper ventilation, though, the gases can pool in a room, where a spark from an appliance can trigger a severe explosion, knocking buildings off their foundation in some cases.

Washington lawmakers are proposing to allow limited home hash production, though butane or other explosive gases would be banned except for use by commercial producers. Safer methods would be OK, and adults would be allowed to use cooking oil, butter or similar substances to make edibles.

"We have a little problem here with people blowing themselves up," said Washington state Sen. Ann Rivers, the Republican sponsor of that state's measure. "Anything we can do to stop that from happening."

In Colorado, where hash regulations vary by jurisdiction, a bill up for its first vote next week in a House committee would establish a similar ban on the use of explosive gases to make hash.

"People who make it at home, they can do so with alcohol or methods that are safe," said Colorado state Rep. Yeulin Willett, a sponsor of the bill.

Colorado's largest jurisdiction, Denver, banned some types of home hash production late last year. A similar ban is under discussion in the state's third-largest city, Aurora.

But some marijuana activists argue that when pot is legal, concentrating it at home should be legal, too. They compare the hash explosions to fires caused by turkey fryers and call it a problem with a new product that is best addressed by consumer education.

"Sure, there have been numerous dangerous explosions and fires from idiots who are determined to blow themselves up participating in activities which need considerable safety precautions," said Timothy Tipton of the Rocky Mountain Caregivers Cooperative.

Tipton insisted that butane extraction is perfectly safe with proper ventilation or when done outside.

Supporters of home production also say Colorado's law is on their side. The state's marijuana legalization measure specifically included concentrated marijuana and all its production methods.

Just last month, the Denver district attorney dropped a case against a man facing felony charges of manufacturing marijuana concentrate and fourth-degree arson. The man, Paul Mannaioni, was charged last year after a hash oil explosion sent him and two other people to a hospital.

Mannaioni challenged the legality of Denver's hash oil ban, prompting Colorado's former attorney general to say the marijuana amendment allows limits on home production.

The charges were later dismissed after prosecutors said they couldn't tie him to the explosion beyond a reasonable doubt, leaving the legality of the city's hash oil ban unresolved.

Some marijuana advocates said a statewide ban would invite more legal challenges.

"It's a patient's right to make their medicine," said Jason Warf of the Southern Colorado Cannabis Council.

But Colorado lawmakers backing the homemade limits said the state should err on the side of caution.

"This is something we need to nip in the bud," Willett said.

___

Johnson reported from Seattle."

http://news.yahoo.com/hash-explosions-prompt-proposed-changes-legal-pot-states-185705504.html

 

[jump /injack]

http://www.jems.com/articles/2014/10/two-injured-california-drug-lab-explosio.html



Two Injured in California Drug Lab Explosion

Fri, Oct 31, 2014

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

___

 

[hush]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Alcohol should be used for amateur extractions, and butane should be left for the controlled laboratories. It would really make a world of difference if amateurs were taught that quick wash alcohol extracts are just as good as bho, which they are. I finally had a chance to try out what is considered "top shelf" bho absolute, brought back to me from a series of dispensaries all throughout Portland and surrounding areas, and none of it was any stronger than the qwiso I've been making all this time. A handful of samples were even less potent, from a subjective viewpoint. Also, my qwiso is tastier, with terps left behind that are reminiscent of the strain it came from.

The only difference that I could see that makes the bho *appear* to be better is that it all has a lighter color, which is purely aesthetic, and has nothing to do with the effects. In fact, I think the lighter color is the absence of the flavors that I get.