What cannabis shatter is
Shatter is a cannabis concentrate. The texture is glass-like. A piece breaks with a snap. Color ranges from pale gold to amber. THC levels in tested shatter samples run from 70% to 90%. Lab reports for strong batches list numbers above 90%. Terpene content is low, so the taste is mild compared with live resin.
How shatter is made
Most shatter starts with butane or propane extraction. The solvent pulls cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. The extract then goes into a vacuum oven. Heat and negative pressure remove the solvent. The result is a thin, clear slab. A purge that runs long and cool keeps the slab from sugaring. State-licensed labs test each batch for residual solvent. Limits differ by state.
Shatter compared with other concentrates
- Shatter: brittle, translucent, 70% to 90% THC.
- Wax and budder: softer, whipped, same input material.
- Live resin: made from fresh frozen plants, more terpenes.
- Rosin: pressed with heat and pressure, no solvent.
Potency is close across these forms. The main difference is texture and terpene content.
CBD shatter
CBD shatter exists. It comes from hemp and holds 60% to 80% CBD by weight. Federal law sets the hemp THC limit at 0.3% on a dry weight basis. A full spectrum CBD shatter may carry trace THC. A CBD isolate product holds CBD alone. Read the certificate of analysis before you buy. The COA lists cannabinoid content and residual solvent results.
How shatter is used
Shatter does not go into a joint on its own. It goes into a dab rig, a vaporizer, or a concentrate pen. A nail or banger heats to 315F to 500F. Higher temperatures burn the material and create harsh vapor. For edibles, the oil needs decarboxylation first, at about 240F for 40 minutes. That step converts THCA to THC.
Storage
Shatter is stable at room temperature for weeks. Heat and moisture change the texture. A warm shelf turns a slab into wax. Keep it in an airtight glass jar. Keep it dark. A cool drawer at 60F to 70F works. Silicone containers can leach terpenes over time.
Legal status in the US
Under the Controlled Substances Act, cannabis with more than 0.3% THC is Schedule I. That covers THC shatter. Hemp-derived CBD shatter at or below 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill. State rules still apply. Some states ban all hemp concentrates. Check state law before purchase.
Health and risk
High-THC concentrates carry risk. NIDA reports that products in this range can raise tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Dabbing delivers a large THC dose in one breath. Some users report anxiety, a racing heart, or vomiting. Federal health agencies do not recognize cannabis as medicine. The FDA has approved one cannabis-derived drug, Epidiolex, for two seizure conditions.