TODAY'S SPEAKER

 
Presented by Camy Bell, Associate Nurse of the University of Colorado Burn Center.
The topic was Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Manufacturing  and the Related Burn Injuries, a Disturbing Trend. Camy is a member of Leadership Aurora.
 
Presented by Camy Bell, Associate Nurse of the University of Colorado Burn Center.
The topic was Butane Hash Oil (BHO) Manufacturing  and the Related Burn Injuries, a Disturbing Trend. Camy is a member of Leadership Aurora.
In 2012 Recreational Marijuana was legalized and in 2014 it was available to the public
In 2013 the hospital began admitting patients after they were burned trying to extract hash oil from the left over marijuana – that means they were using the stems and seeds to extract the oil.  They use liquid Butane to extract 0oil from the marijuana.  Butane fumes are released into the air which causes explosions.  Hash oil delivers 75 – 100% THC.
This is known as the new Colorado “Gold Rush”:
               1 gram of Hash oil Wax = $40 homemade
               1 gram of Hash oil Wax at retail stores costs $6-$80
               As opposed to 1 gram of real gold costs $43.50
Hash Oil is also known by the street names of:  Honey Oil, Dabs, Ear Wax and a few I didn’t get recorded.  To consume the “wax” you can eat it, smoke it, or vaporize it.
One You Tube search under the question  “how to Make Butane Hash Oil” returned 7,520 results.
The University of Colorado Hospital is working closely with Fire departments so they can recognize a hash oil cooking caused fire:  the presence of glass containers/double boilers, and butane tanks, etc.
In terms of CU Hospital hash burns injuries:
In 2011 only l reported.   In 2012 2 admissions.  Recreational marajuana was legalized in December of 2012, and then in 2013 11 admissions and 2014 there were 17.
The typical patient has the following statics:
               93% males (go figure)
               Age 31
Average stay 9 days, ranging from 1-17 days
Burns primarily to hands and face
Majority required skin grafts
Biggest issue is symptom management of pain, anxiety, and nausea and vomiting.
There is a big need to study the pathways to pain and marijuana use.
Note:  It is NOT illegal to make hash oil, however when an explosion occurs one can be charged with arson and child endangerment if children are in the home.
The hospital has a 9 bed ward with an average of 1-5 patients on board concurrently.  It puts a huge strain on the system. Most patients are without insurance
The mission of the university of Colorado Hospital is to educate, make presentations at burn centers, and obtain national media coverage to increase awareness of the dangers of at home hash oil production.
It is NOT illegal to make hash oil at home…it is extremely dangerous.  It is safer to buy it from the dispensary.