Highlighting the extreme dangers of cannabis extraction processes

We’ve launched a campaign across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear to highlight the extreme dangers of cannabis extraction processes to produce butane honey oil (BHO) and shatter.

BHO can be processed using various techniques to create several different products, including shatter.  These highly concentrated forms of cannabis are often used in vapes and cannabis sweets.

The most common extraction process involves the use of solvents such as butane and propane gas, which are highly flammable.  The process is extremely dangerous and can easily result in an explosion which could lead to serious or catastrophic injuries to those producing and those that are close by. Something as simple as flicking a light switch, having a heat source or turning a fridge on or off can cause an ignition.

Once the cannabis extraction has taken place, the consistency of BHO is similar to honey or wax and typically gold or amber in colour. Shatter is thin, brittle, translucent and shatters like glass hence the name.

We're encouraging people in Northumberland and Tyne & Wear to be aware of the dangers of cannabis extraction processes, learn the signs to spot, so that if you do see something, you can speak up and tell us what you know. 100% anonymously - guaranteed.  You could be saving someone’s life.

If you have any information on the production and supply of drugs, tell us what you know. Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our online form:

Give information anonymously

 Signs to spot:

• Have you seen someone buy or be in possession of lots of butane, propane gas canisters, large or small?  Producing BHO and shatter needs a lot of gas.

• Have you seen unusual stainless steel equipment that could be set up in a bedroom or any room in a house/flat?  

• Have you seen cannabis,  BHO or shatter in a property?  

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you have any information on the production and supply of drugs, tell us what you know. Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our online form:

Give information anonymously

19 February 2025