USING YOUR CANNABIS
Welcome to our guide exploring the diverse applications of cannabis flower. Cannabis is a fascinating plant in that there are many diverse ways to utilize it. From the various options of cannabis consumption to the plethora of ways to activate it, this guide will teach you all the basics. Specifically, the information below will discuss various methods of inhalation, and the various methods of activation such as ignition using gas or electric lighters and even supplemental hemp wicks.
CANNABIS IGNITION
When it comes to igniting cannabis flower, enthusiasts have long debated the most effective and enjoyable methods. Among the popular options are gas lighters, electric lighters, and supplemental hemp wicks, each offering unique benefits and drawbacks. Let's delve into the nuances of each method and explore the pros and cons, particularly comparing gas and electric lighters in the context of lighting cannabis.
An informative breakdown can be found below.
GAS LIGHTERS
Gas lighters, commonly in the form of disposable or refillable butane lighters, are a popular and convenient choice for igniting cannabis flower. They provide a quick and reliable flame, making them a go-to option for many smokers and are widely available in many stores. Gas lighters come in various designs and sizes, offering versatility and portability. Apart from the many benefits of gas lighters, they do emit butane particles in quantities that are considered non-toxic, although it may interfere with your comfort and the taste of your cannabis.
Advantages:
Convenience: Gas lighters are readily available and easy to use, requiring only a flick of a button to produce a flame.
Portability: Their compact size makes gas lighters convenient for on-the-go use.
Affordability: Disposable gas lighters are inexpensive, while refillable ones offer long-term cost savings.
Availability: Gas lighters can be found in many stores such as gas stations, retail pharmacies, grocery stores, and more.
Efficiency: Some gas lighters allow for users to control the flame output, meaning you can conserve your lighter’s shelf life while reducing the heat intensity placed on the cannabis flower.
Disadvantages:
Flavor interference: Some users argue that the butane fuel used in gas lighters can impart a faint taste or odor to the cannabis, potentially altering the flavor profile.
Environmental impact: Disposable gas lighters contribute to plastic waste, while butane emissions from refillable lighters can have environmental implications.
Safety concerns: There have been instances of gas lighter malfunctions or accidents, emphasizing the importance of proper usage and handling.
Easily obstructed by wind: If there is any wind or heightened air movement in the area, butane lighters may be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to light.
ELECTRIC LIGHTERS
Electric lighters, also known as plasma lighters or arc lighters, have gained popularity in recent years for their innovative and eco-friendly design. Instead of a traditional flame, they produce a high-voltage electric arc that can ignite cannabis flower efficiently. Electric lighters are rechargeable and offer a flameless alternative to traditional lighters. However, the electrical arc produced by electric lighters are typically short and subtended by prongs, making igniting cannabis flower difficult at times.
Advantages:
Preservation of taste and aroma: Electric lighters have zero impact on the taste and aroma of cannabis, since chemicals and harmful particles are absent.
Flameless operation: Electric lighters eliminate the need for butane or other flammable gases, reducing the risk of accidental fires.
Rechargeable: They can be easily recharged via USB, offering a sustainable and cost-effective lighting solution.
Windproof: The electric arc produced by these lighters is unaffected by wind, making them ideal for outdoor use. Electric lighters are specially useful for the beach.
Precision ignition: Electrical lighters allow for precise ignition of cannabis flower. However, depending on the type of electrical lighter being used, precision ignition can be burdensome if dealing with a larger surface area.
Disadvantages:
Limited flame size: Electric lighters typically produce a small arc, which can make igniting cannabis mildly challenging, primarily depending on if you are lighting a joint, blunt, bowl, or bong.
Initial cost: Electric lighters tend to be more expensive upfront compared to disposable gas lighters.
Durability concerns: Some users have reported issues with the longevity and reliability of electric lighters over time, particularly with frequent use.
HEMP WICK
Hemp wick, made from hemp fibers coated in beeswax, is favored by some cannabis connoisseurs for its natural and traditional approach to lighting. It offers a slow, consistent burn that many believe enhances the flavor profile of the cannabis flower. Additionally, hemp wick generally burns at a lower temperature than lighters can, allowing for a more effective ignition, even burn, and retention of more terpenes and cannabinoids. Advocates of hemp wick appreciate its organic nature, as it does not introduce any additional chemicals or flavors that could alter the smoking experience.
Advantages:
Natural and organic: Hemp wick is made from sustainable materials and doesn't introduce chemicals or flavor additives.
Slow, even burn: Provides a consistent flame that allows for a more controlled lighting process.
Enhanced flavor: Some users believe that using a hemp wick preserves the natural terpenes and flavors of the cannabis flower because of the generally lower heat intensity.
Disadvantages:
Requires additional tools: Users need a separate flame source, such as a lighter or match, to ignite the hemp wick which can be a hassle in certain situations.
Additional Expense: Although hemp wick is usually not expensive, it does come at a price.
Safety concerns: Since the flame is exposed and, possibly far from the hand, there is a risk of accidental burns or fires if not handled carefully.
Overall, the best way to ignite cannabis flower ultimately depends on personal preferences and priorities. Hemp wick offers a natural and flavorful experience but requires additional tools and technique. Gas lighters are convenient and readily available but may impact the taste of the cannabis and contribute to environmental concerns. Electric lighters provide a flameless and eco-friendly alternative, although they come with their own set of limitations and considerations. Whether you prioritize flavor, convenience, or sustainability, exploring these various lighting options can enhance your overall cannabis smoking experience.
Aside from the various ways to ignite cannabis flower, there are also an assortment of different ways cannabis can be smoked. For instance, some of the most popular ways to smoke cannabis include in a joint, blunt, glunt, bowl, bong, dry herb vaporizer, and one-hitter, among others. Ultimately, the choice is yours, however it is important to note that each way of smoking cannabis comes with their own benefits and drawbacks.
An informative breakdown can be found below.
WAYS TO SMOKE CANNABIS
JOINTS
A joint is a common method of consuming cannabis, where dried cannabis flower is ground up and rolled into a thin paper tube. It's ignited at one end and smoked, typically with the user inhaling the resulting smoke. Joints are popular due to their simplicity, portability, and social aspect, often shared among friends during gatherings or recreational activities. The effects of cannabis are felt relatively quickly when smoking a joint, making it a preferred choice for those seeking immediate relief or euphoria.
Advantages:
Convenience: Joints are very small and thin, meaning they can be taken almost anywhere with discretion.
Readily available: No matter where you are or what you are doing, a rolled joint is always ready for ignition without any additional preparatory steps.
Socially ideal: Joints make for a great way to conveniently share cannabis among multiple individuals, creating a great social setting for all involved.
Gradual onset: One of the greatest advantages of joints is that you can gradually increase your high with enough time to stop before you get too intoxicated.
Minimal equipment: Unlike other options, joints only require cannabis flower, a filter (optional), rolling papers or cones, and a lighter. If you purchase a Florescence preroll, all you need is the preroll itself and a lighter.
Looks cool: This is subjective, but smoking a joint looks pretty cool.
Disadvantages:
Hastle to Roll: Some enjoy the process of rolling joints, however it can become quite tedious after a while and does require some practice for an optimal burn. This can be avoided by purchasing prerolls.
Recurring costs: Because joints require papers and optional filters, you will need to keep purchasing these components. This can also be avoided by purchasing prerolls.
Safety concerns: Depending on the paper being used, some papers are actually hazardous to smoke. Florescence prerolls are crafted with the thinnest, unbleached, safe papers.
Skill requirements: If rolling a joint, it takes practice to roll a successful joint that burns evenly.
Odor: Due to the continuous burning of flower and paper, joints create a lot of smoke and odor, making them a bad choice for indoor use.
Wasteful: Due to the continuous burning of joints, some cannabis flower will inevitably be wasted.
Easily obstructed by wind: When smoking in a windy area, the wind tends to burn joints unevenly and at an accelerated pace.
BLUNTS
A blunt is a cigar that has been hollowed out and filled with cannabis flower, then tightly rolled back up. Blunts are larger and thicker than joints, typically providing a longer-lasting and more potent smoking experience. They're often made using tobacco wraps, adding a unique taste to the smoking experience. Similar to joints, blunts are ignited at one end and smoked, with the user inhaling the resulting smoke. Blunts are favored by some users for their larger size, longer burning time, enhanced potency, and the added flavor from the cigar wrap.
Advantages:
Convenience: Blunts are very small and thin, meaning they can be taken almost anywhere with discretion.
Readily available: No matter where you are or what you are doing, a rolled blunt is always ready for ignition without any additional preparatory steps.
Socially ideal: Blunts make for a great way to conveniently share cannabis among multiple individuals, creating a great social setting for all involved.
Minimal equipment: Unlike other options, joints only require cannabis flower, a filter (optional), tobacco wraps, and a lighter.
Enhanced potency: Due to the dual consumption of tobacco and cannabis, the effects and potency are enhanced tremendously.
Slow burning: Blunts burn extremely slow, meaning less cannabis is wasted and the serving will last significantly longer than a joint, for instance.
Disadvantages:
Hastle to Roll: Some enjoy the process of rolling blunts, however it can become quite tedious after a while and does require some practice and skill for an optimal burn and seal. This can be avoided by purchasing prerolls.
Recurring costs: Because blunts require tobacco wraps and optional filters, you will need to keep purchasing these components. Keep in mind that higher quality cigar wraps can be quite expensive.
Safety concerns: Because you are inhaling tobacco, you submit to the various health risks associated with tobacco use.
Skill requirements: If rolling a blunt, it takes practice to roll a successful blunt that burns evenly and is sealed properly.
Odor: Due to the continuous burning of flower and tobacco wraps, blunts create a lot of smoke and odor, making them a bad choice for indoor use.
Wasteful: Due to the continuous burning of blunts, some cannabis flower will inevitably be wasted.
Overwhelming potency: Due to the combined use of tobacco and cannabis, the effects and potency is quite unpredictable, and you may quickly find yourself too high for your own comfort.
Easily obstructed by wind: When smoking in a windy area, the wind tends to burn blunts unevenly and at an accelerated pace.
BOWLS
A bowl is a common smoking apparatus used for consuming cannabis. It typically consists of a bowl-shaped chamber where cannabis flower is placed, a narrow tube called a stem, and a mouthpiece. The bowl is usually made of glass, ceramic, or metal. To use a bowl, the cannabis flower is packed into the bowl chamber, and then the user ignites the flower with a lighter while inhaling through the mouthpiece. This creates a stream of smoke that is inhaled into the lungs. Bowls are popular due to their simplicity, ease of use, and ability to provide a quick and convenient smoking experience. They also allow for better control over the dosage of cannabis consumed compared to joints or blunts.
Advantages:
Convenience: Bowls are very easy to use, all you need to do is place flower in the bowl, light it, and you’re set.
Readily available: No preparation is needed aside from loading the flower into the bowl.
Less smoke and odor: Although bowls still release some smoke and odor, it is not much and can be used indoors.
Conservative: Bowls conserve cannabis very well, meaning there is minimal waste of cannabis in the process.
Controlled dosage: Due to the small and consistent hiding capacity of bowls, dosages can be easily measured for a more predictable and comfortable experience.
Reusable: Bowls are reusable, meaning no recurring costs (apart from the cannabis) are necessary.
Ease of use: Bowls are very user-friendly and can be successfully operated by anyone.
Flavor preservation: Because only cannabis is being burned, the flavor of the cannabis can be fully appreciated with no interference from papers or wraps, for instance.
Disadvantages:
Requires frequent cleaning: The frequency at which you clean your bowl depends largely on frequency of use, however bowls do need to be cleaned periodically or the smoke will be harsh and taste unfavorable.
Small loading capacity: Bowls typically only hold a small amount of cannabis, meaning individuals with a tolerance may need to continuously load cannabis into the bowl which can be tedious.
Potential harsh hits: Due to the lack of filtration and typically short equipment body, hits can be harsh and hot, burning the throat with ease.
Risk of breakage: Bowls are typically made of a material that can be easily broken such as glass.
Less portable: Although bowls are quite portable, they are larger than joints and blunts.
BONGS
A bong is a water filtration device used for smoking cannabis. It typically consists of a vertical tube, a bowl where cannabis flower is placed, and a water chamber. To use a bong, water is added to the chamber, and the bowl is packed with cannabis. The user ignites the cannabis with a lighter while simultaneously inhaling through the mouthpiece at the top of the bong. The smoke is filtered through the water, which cools and smooths it before it is inhaled into the lungs. Bongs are favored by many cannabis enthusiasts for their ability to deliver large, smooth hits that are less harsh on the throat and lungs compared to other smoking methods. Additionally, the water filtration helps to remove some of the harmful toxins present in the smoke, making for a potentially cleaner smoking experience.
Advantages:
Smooth hits: Due to the water filtration system in bongs, hits are very smooth which reduces the risk of a burned throat.
Safer cannabis consumption: Due to the water filtration system in bongs, the harmful components resulting from combusting cannabis flower, such as tar, is separated from the smoke you inhale.
Less smoke and odor: Although bongs still release some smoke and odor, it is not much and can be used indoors.
Conservative: Bongs conserve cannabis very well, meaning there is minimal waste of cannabis in the process.
Reusable: Bongs are reusable, meaning no recurring costs (apart from the cannabis) are necessary.
Flavor preservation: Because only cannabis is being burned, the flavor of the cannabis can be fully appreciated with no interference from papers or wraps, for instance.
Disadvantages:
Requires frequent cleaning: The frequency at which you clean your bong depends largely on frequency of use, however bongs do need to be cleaned periodically or the smoke will be harsh and taste unfavorable.
Extremely fast and intense onset: Bong hits are typically very concentrated and potent, meaning you may become extremely high very quickly, which can be very uncomfortable.
Risk of breakage: Bongs are typically made of a material that can be easily broken such as glass.
Not very portable: Although you can transport bongs, they are a hassle to protect from breakage, and some bongs are multiple feet tall, making packing them quite difficult.
Water spillage: if handled improperly or loaded incorrectly, you may experience water spillage.
Learning curve: Bongs can take some practice to learn and master its use/preparation/maintenance.
DRY HERB VAPORIZERS
A dry herb vaporizer is a device used to consume cannabis by heating the flower to a temperature that releases its active compounds as vapor without combusting it. It typically consists of a chamber where finely ground cannabis flower is placed, a heating element, and a mouthpiece. To use a dry herb vaporizer, the cannabis flower is loaded into the chamber, and the device is activated to heat the flower to a specific temperature range, usually between 350°F to 450°F (175°C to 230°C). As the cannabis heats up, its active compounds, such as THC and CBD, are released as vapor, which is then inhaled through the mouthpiece. Dry herb vaporizers are favored by many cannabis enthusiasts for their ability to provide a smoother, cleaner, and potentially healthier alternative to smoking, as vaporization produces fewer harmful byproducts compared to combustion. Additionally, vaporizers allow users to experience the full flavor profile of the cannabis strain without the burnt taste associated with smoking.
Advantages:
Smooth and flavorful hits: Because the cannabis flower is not being combusted, hits are smooth and flavorful.
Safer cannabis consumption: Because cannabis flower is not being combusted, the negative compounds resulting from combustion are avoided.
Less smoke and odor: Because cannabis flower is not being combusted, there is minimal smoke and odor resulting from hits.
Conservative: Dry herb vaporizers conserve cannabis very well, meaning there is minimal waste of cannabis in the process.
Minimal maintenance: The loading chamber and mouthpiece of dry herb va;orizers need to be cleaned periodically, but the cleaning is easy, and debris is minimal.
Flavor preservation: Because cannabis is not being burned, the flavor of the cannabis can be fully appreciated.
Rechargeable: Dry herb vaporizers are rechargeable, meaning there are no recurring costs associated with using this device.
Portable: Dry herb vaporizers are portable and newer technology is allowing for more compact and discrete models.
Disadvantages:
Expensive upfront cost: Dry herb vaporizers are not cheap, and good, reliable devices can cost anywhere from $200 to $500+.
Battery dependence: Dry herb vapes, unfortunately, cannot be used without a charged battery.
Risk of breakage: Dry herb vaporizers are typically durable. However, breakage or loss can be devastating, considering how expensive these devices can be.
Short battery life: Dry herb vaporizers typically have very short battery life and long charging times, which can be frustrating and not very practical. However newer technology is improving upon this flaw.
Vapor potency: Some individuals report a less potent experience when using dry herb vaporizers.
Small loading capacity: Most dry herb vapes hold very little cannabis at a time, meaning users must frequently refill flower.
GLUNTS AND ONE-HITTERS
A glunt, short for "glass blunt," is a type of smoking device that combines elements of a traditional blunt and a glass pipe. It typically consists of a glass tube with a spiral or helix design inside, allowing users to pack cannabis into the tube and twist it to push out ash as they smoke. To use a glunt, cannabis flower is packed into one end of the glass tube, and the other end is used as a mouthpiece. Users ignite the cannabis with a lighter while inhaling through the mouthpiece, similar to smoking a traditional blunt. The spiral design inside the glunt helps to keep the cannabis burning evenly and can be twisted to eject ash, allowing for multiple uses without the need to roll a new blunt each time.
On the other hand, a one hitter, also known as a "bat" or "chillum," is a small, discreet smoking device typically made of metal or glass. It's designed to hold a small amount of cannabis flower, usually enough for just one inhalation or "hit." To use a one hitter, users simply pack a small amount of cannabis into the narrow end of the device, ignite it with a lighter, and inhale through the opposite end. One hitters are favored by some cannabis enthusiasts for their portability and simplicity, making them convenient for quick and discreet smoking sessions on the go.
Advantages:
Portability: Glunts and one-hitters are small, lightweight, and easy to transport.
Controlled cannabis consumption: Because one-hitters and glunts have finite holding capacity, it is quite easy to measure dosage and achieve a more predictable experience.
Simplicity: Both devices are very easy to use and require minimal skill or practice.
Conservative: One-hitters and glunts typically do not continuously burn, so cannabis flower is sufficiently conserved.
Disadvantages:
Risk of breakage: Depending on the material, glunts and one-hitters are susceptible to breakage.
Limited capacity: Glunts and one-hitters have very finite capacity.
Frequent refilling: Due to the low holding capacity of glunts and one-hitters, the devices may need to be frequently refilled.
Less cooling: Glunts and one-hitters are very short with no filtration mechanisms, so hits may be hot and harsh.
Requires frequent cleaning: The frequency at which you clean your glunt/one-hitter depends largely on frequency of use, however these devices do need to be cleaned periodically or the smoke will be harsh and taste unfavorable.