Butane Hash Oil (BHO), sometimes called butane honey oil, is one of the most popular cannabis concentrates in the world. Made by running butane solvent through cannabis flower or trim, it extracts THC, CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids into a sticky, potent oil.
Study extraction safely: CTU’s online Cannabis Extraction Certificate course explains how licensed labs run hydrocarbon (butane) extraction and why it belongs only in licensed facilities. It does not teach at-home solvent extraction.
BHO is famous for its wide range of textures and consistencies, including:
Consumers use BHO for dabbing, vaping, edibles, and topicals. While it is incredibly popular for its potency (often 70–90% THC), the process of making it has sparked both innovation and controversy.
This guide explores everything about BHO extraction: history, science, methods, equipment, safety, legality, brands, consumer tips, FAQs, and more.
| Type | Texture | THC Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shatter | Glassy, brittle | 70–90% | Dabbers who like clean hits |
| Wax | Soft, crumbly | 65–80% | Beginners, easy to handle |
| Budder | Whipped, creamy | 70–85% | Flavor chasers |
| Crumble | Dry, honeycomb | 60–80% | Budget-friendly |
| Live Resin | Sticky, aromatic | 65–90% | High terpene preservation |
| Sauce/HTE | Terp-rich liquid | 60–80% | Mix of potency + flavor |
⚠️ Warning: Making BHO at home using butane is extremely dangerous. Open blasting has caused numerous fires and injuries. Professional labs use closed-loop systems with fire suppression, ventilation, and recovery equipment.
| Method | Solvent | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHO | Butane | High yield, great flavor, versatile | Dangerous if unsafe |
| CO2 Oil | CO2 | Clean, scalable, safer | Expensive, less flavorful |
| Rosin | Heat & pressure | Solventless, safe | Lower yield, higher cost |
| Ethanol Extraction | Alcohol | Cheap, effective | Pulls chlorophyll, needs winterization |
| Ice Water Hash | Water & ice | Solventless, traditional | Low yield, labor-intensive |
“BHO extraction has come a long way from its early days of open blasting and unsafe practices. Today, in licensed labs, it’s a precise, controlled process that produces some of the most flavorful and potent concentrates on the market. At Cannabis Training University, we emphasize that education and safety should always come first, whether you’re a consumer or working in the industry.”
— Jeff Zorn, CEO of Cannabis Training University
BHO uses butane, PHO uses propane. Propane often enhances terpene retention.
An unsafe, outdated method where butane is vented into the air. Illegal in most areas.
Extract made from fresh-frozen cannabis, preserving maximum terpenes.
Yes. Flower = 15–25% THC. BHO = 65–90% THC.
Only if lab-tested and properly purged. Avoid black-market products.
Yes, but it must be decarboxylated first.
A crystalline-textured extract with terpene-rich syrup.
Through lab testing for solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals.
Only in regulated cannabis markets. Federally illegal in the U.S.
Depends. BHO = higher yield, lower cost. Rosin = solventless purity.
Butane Hash Oil is both legendary and controversial. Once tied to unsafe home extractions, it is now a cornerstone of the legal cannabis industry.
As Jeff Zorn notes, safety and education should guide every step. With innovation continuing, BHO will remain a dominant cannabis concentrate for years to come. Compare BHO and FECO as well. Learn how to make cannabis extracts with online training from CTU.
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