We are still in the midst of a global pandemic, but at least we have something to celebrate this week, and an excuse to make a trip to our Neighborhood Dispensary. July 10th — a relatively new holiday in the cannabis community, commonly referred to as 7/10, Oil Day, or Dab Day has been gaining traction post-prohibition.
Most people who are familiar with cannabis culture recognize 4/20, either via its definitive history or the many myths surrounding it. The number “420” has roots in cannabis culture that run more than 30 years deep. Dab Day on the other hand has a much newer history with a strong following in Colorado.
Just like 4/20, “Oil Day” is centered around the cannabis plant. However, the main difference is that 7/10 focuses specifically on Dabbing and Concentrates derived from cannabis. The main inspiration behind 7/10, is if that if you flip 710 upside-down it spells out “OIL”. This little coincidence gave birth to the second most popular cannabis holiday.
Unlike the 4/20 holiday and celebrations, Oil Day is a recent phenomenon with debatably vague origins. 7/10 celebrations were first noted in 2012 (but may have occurred earlier than that), with the 7/10 Cup celebrating the various types of cannabis extracts and oils. When Colorado and Washington legalized cannabis, this helped normalize the use of cannabis extracts and increased the availability of oils and dabs on the cannabis market.
During Prohibition times, it was surprisingly dangerous to create cannabis oils because the highly combustible process had no safety regulations in place. When Colorado legalized in 2012, the state passed laws against the practice of using hazardous and/or flammable solvents such as butane when manufacturing concentrates. This swiftly improved the quality of oils produced, and increasing safety regulations benefiting consumers who prefer cannabis wax, dabs, oils, and extracts.
Colorado is one of the home bases for 7/10, as its recreational industry has grown quickly, so has its concentrate market along with it. From wax and shatter to distillate and live resin, Colorado is the central marketplace for all concentrates. That’s why 7/10 is so much more than just a concentrate/oil celebration. Dabs and extracts have vastly expanded our understanding of isolating cannabinoids, terpenes, and how each cannabinoid has a specific role and purpose. The history of 7/10 is about celebrating how far cannabis products and the culture have come by dabbing some concentrates.
Dabbing is a modern form of cannabis consumption. Using a tiny dollop of cannabis extract flash vaporized on an ultra-hot surface maximizes the amount of cannabis used and provides a stronger, quicker high, which can be beneficial to medical marijuana patients who need rapid relief.
Dabbing in some places is still considered controversial, and a number of people are still uncomfortable with dabbing. The use of a blowtorch to many may seem extreme, causing many to be intimidated by the process and see it in a negative light.
It is worth noting, however, the benefits that Dabbing provides. Many medical cannabis patients rely on this alternative method of ingestion, and thanks to better regulations concentrates are becoming safer to manufacture and consume.
With time and coverage on the issue, we can shift public opinion about the often misunderstood world of cannabis concentrates and Dab Day altogether.
So for those who enjoy concentrates and are planning on doing some celebrations, head over to Verts Neighborhood Dispensary in Fort Collins for all your 7/10 needs! We hope you have a safe and fun Quarantined 710!