Is Consuming Reclaim from Cannabis Concentrates Safe?

sessmith92
4 hours ago
4 min read

By Samantha Haas

Published initially on Potguide.com-- December 1, 2021

We’ve all been there; you really want to smoke, but you’re out of product, so what do you do?

Anyone who smokes flower would consider smoking the resin that is stuck to their bowl. You

You know, that black sticky stuff that tastes like dirt? But what about those who just smoke?

concentrates? Is there an option for them? Well, yes, and it’s called reclaim. Reclaim is

un-vaporized or re-condensed oil that collects inside your dab rig over time. This goldish-orange, sticky substance forms due to vapor residue. Just like resin you would find in a pipe, reclaim can get you high, but are there health risks involved? Read on to find out.

What’s the difference between resin and reclaim?

At face value, reclaim appears to be healthier than resin, but that’s not really the case. Resin is

made up of combusted byproducts left over from the cannabis plant, which typically consists of ash, remnants of burnt trichomes, terpenes, cannabinoids, and tar. Resin also contains fewer cannabinoids than reclaim does. On the other hand, reclaim is the resin left over from smoking concentrates. Although reclaim may have a slightly better smell than resin, since all of the terpenes are burned out when heated, you will likely smell and taste butane and other chemicals more than anything else.

How potent is reclaim?

On average, reclaim contains 30 to nearly 60 percent THC and an abnormally high amount of

CBN when compared to fresh concentrates. This is most likely because, as the reclaim is

reheated, existing cannabinoids are burned out of it due to high temperatures. In 2014, MCR

Labs tested four different types of reclaim. Each sample was collected in different ways, and

the smell, consistency, and color of each sample differed. The study found that Delta 9 THC was the most prevalent cannabinoid in each of the samples, ranging from a maximum of 23.3% to 58.5%, while the maximum level of CBD ranged from 1.7% to 3.7%, and CBN ranged from 3.8% to 8.6 percent. The total amount of cannabinoids in the samples ranged from 48.1% to 65.3%, and nearly 99% of those cannabinoids were activated when exposed to high temperatures. However, something you should remember regarding potency and safety is where your piece is stored when reclaim accumulates. Like fresh concentrates, if your piece is kept in a humid environment or in an area where it could easily be exposed to dust or pet hair, it will take a toll on the effectiveness of the reclaim and make it more vulnerable to contamination and mold.

How do I collect reclaim?

If you truly wish to reclaim, your first step would be to invest in a dropdown attachment or a reclaim adapter. Attaching one of these to your dab rig will catch and store the reclaim before it reaches your percolator or the water. You will also need a clean silicone mat. To retrieve the reclaim, remove the attachment or adapter and gently apply heat, being careful that the flame of the torch does not touch the glass. After a few minutes of heating, the reclaim will drip off the attachment and onto the mat. If you don’t have a dropdown attachment or adapter, you can also remove the reclaim using a solvent. If you plan to ingest it or apply it to your skin, a food-grade or organic solvent such as grain-free alcohol, acetone, MCT oil, or hot distilled water would be best.

However, there are other alternatives for collecting reclaim if you do not have a dropdown

attachment or adaptor, in which case you will need:

 High proof alcohol

 A hot Plate

 Razor Blade

 Paper Towels

 A Pyrex dish

First, you will want to fill your rig up to where the alcohol meets the reclaim. After that, cover the mouthpiece and banger with the paper towel and gently swirl the alcohol around inside the piece. This will dislodge the reclaim. Running the rig under hot water may help If the reclaim does not dislodge. Repeat the process until all the reclaim is dislodged, and pour the mixture into the Pyrex dish. Set your hot plate to low and place the dish on it. Placing the dish on the hot plate will allow the alcohol to evaporate slowly. Because evaporated alcohol is flammable, it is important to not set the hotplate on high and only use a hot plate to heat the alcohol. Do not try to hurry this process along. Using a flame may seem to be the easiest route, but you don’t want to risk catching yourself or something else on fire. After the alcohol has evaporated, let your reclaim sit the dish overnight to dry. Once dried, take the razor blade and scrape the reclaim out of the dish.

Is smoking or using Reclaim safe?

Due to its primarily decarboxylated content, reclaim can be infused into food, drinks, or capsules. It can also be applied topically and absorbed by the skin, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is safe to consume. If smoked, reclaim can cause throat and lung irritation, difficulty breathing, and headaches. This is because it delivers a much harsher hit compared to fresh concentrates. Additionally, you’re also inhaling more chemicals when reheating old.

product.

The Takeaway

Reclaim may provide you with a very potent hit, but you may want to consider the risks before

smoking it. If you consume concentrates for the flavor, there’s really no reason to do this unless

you really feel the need to. But at the end of the day, it’s ultimately up to the consumer if they

would like to partake.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/why-smoking-reclaimed-cannabis-resin-isnt-a-good-

idea#potential-risks

https://www.thedablab.com/the-dab-lab-blog/what-is-reclaim-oil-what-to-do-with-it-and-how-to-use-it/

https://yodabbadabba.com/dabbing-resources/reclaim/

https://www.laballey.com/collections/organic-green-food-grade-and-natural-solvents