In recent years, a unique term has surfaced within the cannabis community - 710. This number holds significant meaning to cannabis enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy consuming cannabis concentrates. But what exactly does "710" mean, and how did it become so popular? In this article, we'll explore the origins of "710", its rise to prominence, and the role it plays in cannabis culture today.
What Does 710 Mean?
At first glance, the number "710" may look like nothing special - but, in cannabis culture, it is very much so. 710 flipped is OIL. It refers directly to marijuana oils and concentrates but more potent marijuana extracts like hash oil, shatter wax, and other high-potency forms of marijuana.
710 is, therefore, the shorthand for cannabis oil which makes it a focal point for those fond of these potent products. Cannabis oil is often associated with dabbing — a method of inhaling cannabis vapor through a specialized rig employing high-potency cannabis extracts.
Cannabis Concentrates: A Quick Overview
Cannabis concentrates such as oils, wax and shatter are cannabis extracts that have higher THC levels than traditional cannabis flowers. They are focused on utilizing different forms of extraction, such as butane hash oil (BHO) extraction, CO2 extraction, or even a solventless extraction technique. This is why they provide a strong, immediate high and are commonly sought after by seasoned cannabis consumers.
The Origins of 710
710 is heard to have originated in the early 2010s, but the exact etymology is a little uncertain. The word first appeared in casual chats between cannabis lovers who sought to find a way to distinguish between oil and concentrates from the regular cannabis experience. So it would probably have been in those discussions that "710" started making the rounds, because read upside down, it cleverly spells "OIL".
In 2010, the term was officially recognized when it was added to Urban Dictionary, a platform where slang and internet jargon are recorded. This helped cement "710" as the go-to term for cannabis concentrates, specifically oils.
The Role of Social Media
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit were also integral in helping to spread the 710 catchphrase as well. Concentrate enthusiasts took to social media with tags such as #710, #710life, and #dab. This helped normalize the practice of dabbing and eventually led to a new cannabis subculture with a concentration on extracts and concentrates.
The First 710 Celebration
Fast forward to 2013, and the cannabis community took it one step further, and held the very first 710 Cup, a concentrate-focused cannabis event. But while not occurring on "710" (July 10th), the event represents a turning point in both the general acceptance of the term and the rise of cannabis oils and concentrates in the public eye. The 710 Cup has evolved into a yearly smoke-filled celebration with cannabis lovers from all over the nation convening to display the best oils, waxes, and other various concentrates.
The 710 Cup created a bridge for both cannabis concentrate consumers and producers to come together for their love of dabbing and ultra-potent extracts.
The Rise of 710 as a Cannabis Holiday
Similar to 420, a well-known cannabis holiday celebrated on April 20th, 710 has emerged as a day to celebrate the use of cannabis concentrates. July 10th (7/10) is now widely observed as "Oil Day," a time for cannabis consumers to partake in dabbing and other concentrated forms of cannabis.
Dabbing and Its Popularity
The primary way to consume cannabis concentrates is by dabbing, meaning taking a small concentrate and putting it on a heated surface (usually a titanium or quartz nail) to inhale. It's a popular method because it offers a very strong and rapid onset, often stronger than the flower. Thus, the ritual of dabbing – and the holiday dedicated to 710 itself – has come to embody a small but expanding subculture of cannabis consumers who choose concentrated forms of the plant over traditional cannabis flowers.
Dispensaries typically celebrate 710 in legal states with deals, exclusive products, and even live dabbing demonstrations. These milestones have helped pave the way for "710" to gain some traction in the mainstream and give it a more comfortable permanence within cannabis culture.
How 710 Became a Cultural Phenomenon
710 became a cultural phenomenon with this idea fuelled by the acceptance of concentrates and dabbing. With the explosion of the cannabis industry, and the subsequent increased accessibility of the many types of extracts to the general public, the community eventually found itself needing a universal term to encompass the culture of concentrate connoisseurs.
The ubiquitous presence of 710 on social media has been one of the main contributors to its cultural success. Hit them up at the million other places cannabis users post videos of their dabbing experiences at #710life and #710 because more and more consumers are catching on to the fact that dabbing is just a grow-up, consumer-servable thing to do, and as such, normalization happens. The term's growth has been fueled further by influencers and cannabis brands using it for marketing and branding purposes.
The 710 Community
The 710 crew is its own subculture, within the larger cannabis culture. Although flower will always be the preference of many cannabis users, the 710 movement has become a badge of honor for concentrate-oriented enthusiasts. Famous for its focus on the many aspects of the artistry behind concentrate craftsmanship from premium extraction methods to the concentrate products themselves from shatter, wax, and rosin, the community has embraced the love for these different textures in a variety of different structures.
And there are even dedicated events like concentrate competitions and festivals where fans of dabbing can meet and mingle, and swap stories of shatters and waxes. One of the biggest of these is the 710 Cup, a competition, along with associated vendors and attendees, for those who love extracts of cannabis.
Celebrating 710: Events and Traditions
As the date of July 10th approaches each year, cannabis dispensaries and concentrate producers prepare for one of the most anticipated cannabis events of the year.
710 at Dispensaries
Dispensaries usually have special sales, strains, and concentrates made (only) for 710 and special merch for 710 in states where cannabis is legal. Some dispensaries offer events, like live dabbing sessions or product demonstrations, to educate consumers on the different types of cannabis extracts and how to consume them best.
710 Competitions
Similar to 420 events, many regions host 710-specific competitions, where top concentrate producers showcase their products. These events not only celebrate the quality of concentrates but also foster a sense of camaraderie among cannabis users and producers alike. The 710 Cup is a prime example of such a competition, where judges assess different concentrates for their quality, taste, and potency.
Cannabis Oil and Its Appeal
710 has become more popular because cannabis concentrates, such as oils, are becoming more desirable. As extraction technology has progressed, cannabis oils have gotten cleaner, stronger, and much more varied. Users can select from many types of concentrates, and each will provide a unique experience and effect.
Cannabis oil is even more flexible than other ways of consuming cannabis. Oils can be consumed through dabbing, but outside of that it can be put into vape pens or edibles or just eaten directly. This lack of specificity has helped 710 culture spread and gain acceptance amongst the cannabis community.
Summary: Why 710 Matters in Cannabis Culture
Overall, 710 has grown into an important cultural marker for those who prefer consuming cannabis extracts. It represents a lifestyle centered around the strength, effectiveness, and variations of cannabis oils and extracts. What began as tongue-in-cheek water cooler talk has grown into a complete cannabis holiday with its own annual events such as the 710 Cup, just as the 420 movement did. It is the face of a small but active and proportionally large part of the cannabis community that is still expanding rapidly today.
