710 The 101’s
Many cannabis enthusiasts are familiar with the April 20 or 4/20 celebration. 4/20 has grown around the world to become more and more accepted and celebrated.
Some of the concentrate connoisseurs of these events wanted to start a movement revolving around concentrates, BHO, hash, and all the in-betweens. To make something that reminded them of the old school collectives.
The origins are very hazy…One explanation is it's supposedly a joke of a blonde going into a gas station telling the mechanic she lost her 710 cap, to her engine…. Or it was code in the same situation, except with someone going into a gas station asking for a 710 cap looking for hash oil. 710 is also referenced by The Grateful Dead, at 710 Asbury Street in September of 1966. But I’m curious as to why such hazy origins? Had to be some good stuff. Side note Raphael Mechoulam made some of the first isolations, aka concentrates, of THC and CBD around this time in the 60s… could it be the same???
Although those are fun explanations, most sources all point to TaskRok of “Highly Educated” for starting the 7/10 movement. He didn’t want credit but desired the movement to grow naturally. Thank Gawd, less commercialization! Starting roughly on July 10th, 2011 - 2013 are the earliest of years celebrating hash oil on July 10th 7/10. Approaching this way allowed many in different states to start their own 710 movements or festival competition. So it worked TaskRok people are celebrating! Also consuming more concentrates… Hey, I see what you did there!… and I like it!… Taking notes….
So 7/10 is the new 4/20 for people who like concentrated forms of cannabis! Most 7/10 events are focused on the concentrated forms of cannabis. There are many references to concentrates such as Full Melt, Hash, Rosin, Live Resin, Oil, Budder, Wax, Shatter, Ear Wax, Sugar, Crumble, and just about any adjective, you can think of that describes the consistency or texture. These descriptors are all describing the same end-product, a concentrate. The different descriptors tell you what type of process was done to make that consistency. The finest is Full Melt Hash, and if you haven't tried it, you need to. If it wasn't a good experience the first time, blame your grower! Full Melt tells no lies, you cant hide… I'll show you the way, ha-ha! All the heady of headiest show up with the mountains of hash, with the most exclusive glass, and their artists celebrate the cream of the crop in much the same fashion as 4/20… with more Hash than you are accustomed to seeing. Bring your CBD this will be a ride!
Personally, 7/10 is my favorite holiday for many reasons so I’ll tell you a few. To set the stage for my preference I prefer traditional water hash or Rosin. I don’t hate solvent-produced Hash, anything against it, although I like the solventless better.
First, the cannabinoids selected with water hash are superior, and I find fewer contaminates. Essentially I'm getting more weed for my money Ha-ha! The second reason I like solvent-less Hash is because of how its produced. To produce Hash, you must use the very best of your crop. Corners cant be cut whatsoever this will affect everything, from the taste to how much you yield! I’m sorry flower lovers the best flower gets made into hash! Let me tell you it’s not for a loss! The flowers must be delicately harvested, I mean super delicate you can't even touch the buds to smell them! This slight touch can ruin the tiny micron-sized mushroom-shaped granular trichomes! Or you will express volatile compounds that you're trying to preserve! Okay, I’ll chill out….
You get the idea you have to take the best care when harvesting for Full Melt Hash. Subsequent flash freezing preserves the volatile compounds you smell, so you can taste and smell them later! As well as to ensure you don't further degrade the minor and major cannabinoids. For example, when drying flower THC-A oxidizes to THC or THC to CBN. Flash freezing allows you to control more of your variables. Washing is next, yup you wash your weed with ice-cold R/O water, and with ICE ICE baby! This separates the plant matter from the trichomes that contain all those lovely cannabinoids. Plant matter floats, and trichs sink! Sieving is next, then freeze-drying the sieved material. Once dry a grade can be assigned to the quality of the hash. If it’s not 100% full melt it can be further pressed into Rosin. Just pressure and a silk screen are used, never chemicals.
Stars are generally used to signify quality. “5 Star” is the highest quality. If I remember correctly “BC Bubble Man” claims that “Sam The Skunk Man” Is the only other person he has seen make “6 Star” Full Melt. Due to the variables involved in producing “6 Star,” I would strongly agree! Honestly “5 Star” is difficult and is not common. “2 & 3 Star” are most common.
This process is so thorough that it is difficult but yields the most unadulterated hash. You’re likely to shed a tear of joy! I know I shed a tear on the inside each time I get a wif of nice hash.
As always I encourage you to enjoy your concentrates responsibly! There is no heroism in overconsumption or huge dabs… trust me it’s not fun. I’m not a doctor but a friend giving practical advice. When trying for the first time or if it's been a while start with a dab or a dose the size of HALF THE SIZE OF A GRAIN OF RICE. TINY! MICRO! PLEASE! Wait fifteen minutes before consuming any more. This will give you the ability to understand what the substance does to you. All the love and respect to you and your adventure! It's a blast!
Frosty For The Terps