Weed culture is about more than just the plant itself. Whether you choose to roll a joint or pack a bowl, the accessories you use can significantly enhance your experience.
Whether you’re looking for a hand-made work of art or you’re all about function, there is a wide variety of options that cater to every type of toker. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the accessories you can use to elevate your cannabis experience.
Accessories vs. Paraphernalia: What’s the Difference?
The literal definition of paraphernalia is “articles of equipment designed for a particular use or activity,” according to Merriam-Webster. An accessory is defined as “an object or device that is not essential in itself but adds to the beauty, convenience or effectiveness of something else.”
In the case of weed, paraphernalia refers to the devices you use to ingest cannabis. Marijuana accessories are slightly narrower and can refer to things like storage solutions or batteries used.
Popular Cannabis Paraphernalia
Pipes
Made from glass, ceramic or metal, weed pipes are similar to the type through which you’d smoke tobacco. The flower, or ground cannabis, is packed into the bowl of the pipe and directly lit. The user inhales through the mouthpiece and the smoke travels through the pipe into the lungs.
Pipes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs — from simple spoon pipes to elaborate decorative versions. Pipes are easy to use and offer an unfiltered, quick hit of THC. You can pack the bowl with all herb, mix in some tobacco or even incorporate concentrates for a different experience.
Pipes are widely available online, but we recommend picking up at least one high-quality pipe from one of Oregon’s local glass artists. Not only will you get a satisfying high, you’ll have a piece of art to treasure.
Bongs
Bongs or water pipes are a classic for smokers everywhere. They work similarly to pipes, but the smoke is filtered through water, making for a purer high. Bongs also come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and configurations, but they share a few essential components.
- Bowl. Where the cannabis flower is packed and lit.
- Stem. Extends from the bowl into the chamber.
- Chamber. Holds water that filters the smoke.
- Uptake tube. Smoke travels through the chamber up the tube.
- Mouthpiece. Where the user inhales the smoke.
You may notice a small hole at the top of the chamber or along the stem. This is the carburetor or carb hole, a small hole that allows the user to control airflow. When covered during inhalation, it keeps the smoke within the chamber. Uncovering the carb hole lets in fresh air and clears old smoke from the chamber.
Bubblers
If a pipe and a bong had a baby, you’d get a bubbler. Typically glass, bubblers are pocket-sized devices that give you the bong experience with the convenience of a pipe.
Vaporizers
Vapes are gaining in popularity for their convenience and portability. They are typically the size of a thumb drive or a traditional cigarette. Vapes or weed pens hold cannabis in concentrate or dry herb form, which is heated up by a battery-powered atomizer. Users draw up vaporized liquid through the mouthpiece.
Grinders
Grinders are metal or wood devices that process dried flower to get it ready for rolling into a blunt or packing into a bowl. In its simplest form, a grinder is a small wooden or metal disc with with a nesting lid. When filled with flower and twisted, the grinder’s teeth shred the cannabis into smaller pieces. On the other end of the spectrum are automatic electric grinders.
Rolling Papers
Rolling papers are thin sheets of paper used to roll cannabis into a class cigarette or joint form. Material options include hemp, rice paper, wood pulp paper and even flax. Each material will burn at a different rate and influence the flavor and nature of your high. Some papers even come flavor-enhanced.
Most papers will have a thin gum strip along one edge to help seal your joint after packing. You can also opt for pre rolled cones for an even easier experience.
Dab Rigs
With every unique form of consumption comes paraphernalia to help the process along. Dabbing involves heating up a quartz or metal nail to super high temperatures — usually between 600 and 710 degrees fahrenheit — and then “dabbing” a tiny bit of marijuana concentrate onto that hot surface. The concentrate instantly evaporates into a gas, and that gas is then inhaled through a water rig.
Dab rigs refer to the accessories needed to complete the dab experience. They are bong-like in that there is a water chamber, but they are specifically designed to use with concentrates, not flower. Dab rigs are typically made from glass or silicone. THey come in classic versions as well as e-rigs. Dab rigs also benefit from a few accessories to enhance your experience.
- Nail. Where you’ll heat up the hash oil. Most dispensaries will sell these two items together to make it easy.
- Dabber. A small tool used to apply hash oil to the nail, keeping the process safe and hygienic
- Torch. A butane torch is needed to heat the nail to the proper temperature, far more powerful than a standard lighter.
- Carb cap. Used to cover the concentrate while inhaling, preserving flavor and enhancing the dabbing experience.
- Dab mat. Keeps your space clean and holds both the hash oil and the rig nice and steady for use.
More Cannabis Accessories
Rolling Trays
Just like it sounds, a rolling tray is a small rectangular surface made from wood, metal, plastic or acrylic. Most have a slight lip to help hold all your rolling materials and weed. You can find beautiful trays that are more like works of art.
Lighters
Can’t smoke without a light. Pick up a basic BIC or upgrade to something higher end like a flameless electric lighter.
Finding the Best Cannabis Accessories for You
Like the herb itself, cannabis paraphernalia is personal. What you choose will depend on how you want to ingest and your own personal aesthetics. Ask your friendly, knowledgeable budtender for tips on finding the perfect paraphernalia and accessories to enhance your experience.