What Is a Dab? How to Dab Cannabis Concentrates Safely

A dab is a single dose of cannabis concentrate that is vaporized on a hot surface and inhaled, and "dabbing" is the act of using concentrates this way. Concentrates such as wax, shatter, badder and rosin are far stronger than flower, so a dab the size of a grain of rice can deliver more THC than several hits of a joint.

This guide covers what a dab is, the main types of concentrate, dab pens vs rigs, how to take a dab step by step, the right temperature and what research says about it, safety, and the New York rules. It is written by our budtenders at NY Elite Cannabis in Bayside, Queens. It is general information, not medical advice. If you are new to cannabis, start with flower or a low-dose product before trying concentrates.

What is a dab?

"Dab" is used two ways. As a noun, a dab is the small amount of concentrate you take in one go. As a verb, to dab is to put that concentrate on a hot surface, called a nail or banger, so it turns to vapor, which you inhale through a water pipe or a vaporizer. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes dabbing as using concentrates like "wax" or "shatter," and notes it can rapidly deliver large amounts of THC to the body.

Concentrates are made by separating the resin, the part of the plant that holds the cannabinoids and terpenes, from the rest of the plant material. The result is much stronger than flower. A national survey study of people who dab summarized lab data showing average concentrate THC levels of roughly 60% to 70%, with some product packaging listing more than 90% (Drug and Alcohol Dependence study). Licensed products in New York list their THC content on the label.

Do dabs get you higher than smoking flower?

Usually, yes, and much faster. Because concentrates have so much more THC than flower, one dab can deliver a very large dose in a single inhale. That is the main appeal for experienced users and the main risk for everyone else. NIDA notes that higher THC levels increase the risk of negative side effects, and the CDC links highly concentrated THC products with more severe cannabis use disorder symptoms. Regular dabbing also builds tolerance quickly.

Types of dabs (concentrate textures)

Concentrates are usually named for their texture. The texture comes from how the concentrate was made and handled, not from its strength alone.

You will also see "live resin" and "live rosin," which are made from fresh-frozen plants to keep more of the original aroma. Our kief guide covers the simplest concentrate of all, the loose trichome powder from your grinder.

What do you need to dab? Rig vs e-rig vs dab pen

For a torch rig you also need a dab tool (a small metal or glass pick for moving the concentrate), a carb cap (a lid that sits over the banger and traps heat), and cotton swabs to clean the banger after each dab. An e-rig removes the torch, which makes it easier to keep the temperature low and reduces burn risk.

Prefilled vape cartridges and disposables made from concentrate are a different thing. They are ready to use and need no separate dab tool or concentrate jar. See our guide to every way to use cannabis.

How to dab, step by step

These steps are common practice among budtenders and experienced users, not an official medical protocol. If you have never dabbed, ask a budtender to walk you through it in person first.

1. Start with a licensed, lab-tested concentrate. Check the THC on the label and scan the QR code for the lab results.
2. Set up the rig. Fill a glass rig with water just above the downstem. For an e-rig, charge it and choose the lowest or second-lowest heat setting.
3. Portion a small dab. Use your dab tool to pick up an amount about the size of a grain of rice. For a first dab, go even smaller.
4. Heat the banger (torch rigs). Heat the quartz banger evenly with the torch until it is hot, then turn the torch off and set it down safely, pointed away from you. Let the banger cool for a short while before dabbing; a dab that hits instantly and smokes heavily is too hot.
5. Dab and cap. Touch the concentrate to the inside of the banger while inhaling slowly, then cover it with the carb cap and keep inhaling gently until the vapor is gone.
6. Exhale and wait. Give it at least 10 to 15 minutes to see how it feels before taking another.
7. Clean up. While the banger is still warm (not hot), swab out leftover oil with a cotton swab so the next dab tastes clean.

What temperature should you dab at?

Lower is better for flavor, and research suggests it is also better for what you inhale. A 2017 lab study heated a common cannabis terpene at different nail temperatures. At about 322°C (612°F), the irritant methacrolein was not detected; at 403°C (757°F) and above it rose with temperature, and benzene appeared only at the hottest setting tested, 526°C (979°F) (Meehan-Atrash et al., 2017). A 2019 follow-up found THC itself also breaks down into these compounds when dabbed, and more so at higher temperatures (Meehan-Atrash et al., 2019). The authors note that temperature is hard to judge with a torch, which is one reason many people use e-rigs with set temperatures.

In practice, many budtenders suggest a low-temperature dab, somewhere around 450°F to 600°F, which you can set directly on most e-rigs. With a torch, that means letting the banger cool after heating, and using a carb cap, which helps concentrate vaporize at a lower temperature.

Is dabbing safe? Risks to know

• Too much THC at once. The biggest risk. Effects come on within moments and can include anxiety, a racing heart, dizziness and confusion. Start very small.
• Burns. Torches and quartz bangers get hot enough to cause serious burns, and using them while impaired adds risk. Turn the torch off before you dab, never touch the banger, and keep everything away from children and pets.
• High-temperature byproducts. As the studies above show, very hot dabs produce more harmful compounds. Keep the temperature low.
• Unregulated products. Concentrates and vape oils from unlicensed sellers may contain leftover solvents or additives. The 2019 lung injury outbreak (EVALI) was linked to vitamin E acetate in THC vapes bought from informal sources (CDC). Buy only licensed, tested products.
• Heavy use. NIDA notes that long-term heavy use can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (repeated nausea and vomiting), and higher THC levels are associated with cannabis use disorder.
• Never make concentrates at home with butane. Home butane extraction has caused explosions and severe burns; one Colorado burn center treated 29 patients from such explosions over six years (Bell et al., 2015). New York prohibits using flammable materials to process cannabis at home (OCM; Penal Law § 222.15).
• Do not drive after dabbing, do not mix with alcohol, and avoid cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How many dabs are in a gram?

It depends on how big your dabs are. A gram of concentrate split into small, rice-grain-sized dabs often lasts a new user many sessions, while a heavy user taking large dabs goes through it much faster. Because concentrates are so strong, smaller and less often is the way to start.

Is dabbing legal in New York?

Yes, for adults 21 and older. Concentrates are legal adult-use cannabis products, and adults may possess up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis along with up to 3 ounces of flower (OCM). Buy concentrates only from a licensed dispensary, where they are tested and labeled under state rules. Making concentrates at home with flammable solvents is not allowed, and the same public consumption rules apply to dabbing as to smoking.

Dabbing gear and concentrates at NY Elite

We stock concentrates and dab hardware. Here are examples on the menu right now; tap through to check current stock and prices.

• Badder: MFNY UK Cheese Live Resin Badder, 1 g.
• Sugar: Pura Durban Poison x Cherry Tart Sugar, 2 g.
• Electric rig: Puffco Peak, with temperature presets and no torch.
• Tools: RYTHM Dab Tool Set and Stratus Quartz Banger Set.

Browse all concentrates and accessories. If you are new to dabbing, ask a budtender to show you how an e-rig works before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Where to buy concentrates and dab gear in Bayside, Queens

NY Elite Cannabis is a New York State licensed adult-use dispensary (license OCM-CAURD-24-000153) on Bell Blvd in Bayside. Every concentrate we sell is lab tested and labeled under state rules, and our budtenders can explain textures, strengths and e-rigs side by side. Shop in store, or order online for pickup or same-day delivery.

• Address: 42-15 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361 (between 42nd and 43rd Avenues). Directions and parking.
• Store hours: 10 AM to 10 PM, every day.
• Delivery: same-day delivery across Queens, Nassau County and the Rockaways, with no delivery fees. Ordering hours are Sunday to Friday 11 AM to 8:30 PM and Saturday 6 PM to 8:30 PM. Delivery hours may vary based on driver availability and demand. Minimums and zones are on the delivery page.
• Paying: cash or debit in store. Delivery orders are paid online with Dutchie Pay (ACH bank transfer).
• Bring ID: you must be 21 or older with a valid government photo ID, in store and at the door.

Sources

• Cannabis (Marijuana), National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Cannabis Health Effects, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Made from concentrate? A national web survey assessing dab use in the United States, Drug and Alcohol Dependence
• Toxicant formation in dabbing: the terpene story, Meehan-Atrash et al., ACS Omega, 2017
• Aerosol gas-phase components from cannabis e-cigarettes and dabbing, Meehan-Atrash et al., ACS Omega, 2019
• Butane hash oil burns associated with marijuana liberalization in Colorado, Bell et al., J Med Toxicol, 2015
• Vitamin E acetate in THC products used by patients with EVALI, Minnesota, CDC MMWR, 2019
• Adult-Use Information, NYS Office of Cannabis Management
• Penal Law § 222.15, Personal cultivation and home possession of cannabis, New York State Senate