A chip of shatter hash made using "BHO" butane hash oil extraction. (Joe Amon, Denver Post file)

Home hash oil extraction: Denver panel working on ordinance

DENVER — Some kinds of homemade hash oil could be banned in Denver. A panel of city council members starts work Tuesday on an ordinance to make it a municipal violation to make hash oil at home using a solvent, such as butane.

The ordinance is prompted by a handful of home fires and explosions caused by dangerous methods of making hash, a form of concentrated marijuana.


The new cannabis lexicon: Do you know the difference between shatter and wax? Fatties and pinners? We’ve got all the lingo, from A-Z.


The ordinance would require home hash-oil production to use only water-based or food-based methods.

Commercial marijuana production facilities would still be allowed to use solvents. Those sites undergo extensive fire-code inspections to make sure flammable gasses don’t build up.

Penalties for the code violation could result in up to a year in jail and a $999 fine.