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Marijuana Wax Explosion Leaves Teens Badly Burned And Facing Criminal Charges


By

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 19, 2013

Modified Dec 19, 2013


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The Brooklyn garage where two teens allegedly caused an explosion

 

CBS2


By

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 19, 2013

Modified Dec 19, 2013


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Yesterday morning, two Brooklyn teenagers were severely injured after their attempt to make marijuana wax ended in an explosion. Gabrielle Katanov, 17, and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Anthony Gambale, have now been hit with serious criminal charges for the incident. Both Katanov and Gamble have been charged as adults with reckless endangerment, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and marijuana possession.

Both teens suffered second and third degree burns when one of them lit a cigarette while they soaked a thirty gallon tub of marijuana with butane in a rented garage apartment in Marine Park. They are reportedly still in critical condition at Staten Island University North Hospital. “It was a loud explosion,” said Battalion Chief Steven Treco. “Major burns to a major portion of their bodies.”

Marijuana wax, or "honey oil," has come into prominence over the last year. THC is extracted from plant matter by means of alcohol, butane, or other chemicals so the user is left with an extremely potent substance. As a result of the flammable chemicals necessary for the extraction, there have been lots of ear wax explosions.

Tagged

Anthony Gambale

brooklyn

charges

Gabriella Katanov

marijuana

marijuana wax

marine park

wax


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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