What's The Quality Of Your Paraphernalia and Smoking Apparatus?

MAY 4, 2019 Since the Legalization surge, folks who might not have tried Cannabis before might now because they are not committing a crime. So if you are new to Cannabis and want to try smoking it, there are so many different ways and options, some better than others, so many choices... where to start... which is the best?

Really, like anything else, it all comes down to personal preference, some prefer joints, others swear by their trusty pipe, others only smoke out of water pipes. What it really all comes to down is the material used in making the papers to roll the joint...what the pipe is made of...if the bong water is clean....

Yes, Cannabis is good for you. Yes, Cannabis can trigger healing on many levels in your body. Yes, we have over 500 receptors in our body to receive the healing benefits of the plant. BUT if what you are smoking it out of is toxic, then how medicinal is it? We can only hope that the benefits of the plant can outweigh the possible toxicity of the material being used for inhalation.

Let's begin with joint, spliff, etc. Pretty sure everyone knows what they consist of~plant material, either bud or shake. The question is, 'what is it being rolled in?' If it was like a Bugler cigarette paper, those are soo thick, it would be hard to even taste the delights a bud holds with papers so thick. Same with Jobs or ZigZag unless you buy the Ultra Thin. Preferably, if a spliff is your choice of inhalation, there are better papers to be had, such as Club Modiano Rolling Papers, manufactured by S D Modiano in Italy.

These papers are ashless, if you light a rolling paper such as a Job or Bugler, there will be ash left over. If you light a Club paper, there is virtually no ash left meaning, less by product in your lungs. Referred to as "Rice" paper, which is a blend of flax and hemp fiber. They are also gumless, you just rip the edge and lick it and it will stick. Elements are another good paper and nowadays there are many companies producing papers with hemp, you can just experiment and see which ones you like best. It is entirely possible that if someone tried smoking a joint and didn't like it, that the paper tasted nasty, was harsh and not only diminished the flavor of the bud, but overpowered it.

Pipes are another option for smoking Cannabis, there's big pipes, little pipes, water pipes, etc. But the question is, what is it made of? Some people make pipes out of soapstone, which is toxic to smoke out of. One cannot assume that because there is a pipe made from it that it is safe to smoke from. There are aluminum pipes out there, aluminum is a subject for another whole blog, let's just sum it up by saying that you shouldn't smoke or eat of aluminum! Here's the thing, it is so easy to make a pipe that if the one in question you are not sure of, get rid of it, my mom always said, 'When in doubt, don't.'

Considering you can make a pipe out of an apple really with a pen, why take any chances? Glass would be the material of choice, for sure. Doesn't really matter what kind of pipe it is; steamroller, bong, graphics, etc. But the bigger the chamber the more smoke, keep that in mind when experimenting!

Briefly, bongs or graphics are water pipes. When used properly bong enthusiasts believe it enhances the flavor of the herb and makes it taste fresh and clean. However, dirty bong water is a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, microbes and can create a 'biofilm' after a day of sitting. This can introduce pathogens into your lungs, always replenish the water in your water pipe before smoking. Rinsing it thoroughly with hot water a few times. There are such bong cleaners but again, how toxic are they? You could use alcohol and salt or vinegar with a brush, just as easily.

Which one is right for you? The best part is that you don't have to pick, you can enjoy them all!