Van packed with marijuana explodes in flames on highway, California, US
A van packed with bags of marijuana residue known as “shake” burst into flames on Highway 101 near Santa Rosa, California fire fighters reported. The white van caught fire about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, 14 March 2023, on an on-ramp after a reported explosion, the Santa Rosa Fire Department stated. Fire fighters discovered the van contained 55-gallon bags of marijuana shake soaked in butane.
Fire fighters doused the fire with the help of a hazardous materials unit. The driver, described as a man in his 50s, was taken to a local hospital for moderate injuries that were not life threatening. “He definitely had burns to his hands and face,” Santa Rosa Police Sgt Summer Gloeckner said, adding that the man’s beard was also singed.
She added that there were canisters of butane in the van but officials had yet to determine Tuesday whether they were leaking or if the cigarette ignited chemicals from the marijuana.
Crews worked to clear the marijuana, some of which was blowing in the air due to the ongoing storm, along the onramp at Davis and Third streets. Highway access was restored at 13h35 after being closed since about 12h20pm.
Shake refers to small pieces of cannabis flowers that break off larger buds, usually as they’re being handled in packaging, according to Leafly.
Highly concentrated THC can be extracted from marijuana using butane, leaving a sticky residue known as “wax” or “dab,” according to Get Smart About Drugs.
Source: The Charlotte Observer, The Press Democrat