At least 200 million people smoke weed across the world (we say at least because a lot of people probably don’t report it).
How does everyone smoke cannabis? What are your options?
It’s important to have all of the information so that you can try what you think you’d like best. Whether you’re smoking recreationally or medically, you might as well enjoy the process.
Keep reading to find out 9 options so you can find the best way to smoke for yourself.
1. The One-Hitter
The one-hitter is a classic beginner’s piece. It’s a small tube with a mouthpiece on one end and a bowl for the cannabis on the other.
They’re small, discreet, and easy to use. They typically only offer a hit or two before the bowl is done, hence the name. That isn’t to say that they can’t be potent.
The main drawback of a one-hitter is that they aren’t great for sharing or for multiple uses. If you’re wanting to smoke more than a hit or two at a time or share it with friends, you should probably consider another option on the list.
2. The Pipe
Pipes have similar components to a one-hitter except the bowl is usually on top of the tube rather than at the end of it. They also have bigger bowls allowing you to smoke more green at one time.
Pipes are timeless, easy to clean, and suitable for sharing during smoke sessions. You can choose a wood, ceramic, metal, or a glass pipe to fit your style. Many are functioning pieces of art with cool designs on them.
The only problem we see with pipes is that they don’t offer as big of hits as other methods, although getting the biggest hit isn’t necessarily everyone’s goal.
3. The Bong
Like pipes, bongs are simply timeless and a crowd favorite in the smoking community.
A bong is made up of smaller components, some of which are detachable and interchangeable:
- The bowl (i.e. where you put your weed)
- The ash catcher (i.e. so you don’t inhale burnt ash)
- The down stem (i.e. the part that connects the bowl tube to the water reservoir)
- The joint tha0t holds the down stem in place
- The water reservoir
- The mouthpiece
Sometimes bongs also have a percolator which creates smoother smoke. Depending on the style you get, yours may also have an ice pinch that will hold cubes in place for an icy smoke session.
Bongs allow for large hits and they’re an all-time smoking method. With that, they can also get a little nasty and require regular cleaning (but so do most smoking pieces).
4. The Bubbler
Bubblers are essentially a smaller version of a bong. They’re more portable and typically have all of the pieces connected. This means you can’t change out parts, making it harder to clean the piece.
They often have a cleaner hit than typical bongs. Aside from these few factors, they’re pretty much the same as a bong.
5. The Dab Rig
Dab rigs are for those who want heavier, concentrated hits. They’re used to smoke resin, shatter, wax, and the like.
They look somewhat similar to bongs but instead have these parts:
- The body (i.e. the part that is or resembles a bong)
- The nail (i.e. the “bowl” that is used for concentrate product)
- The dab tool (i.e. the separate piece you use to put your product into the nail)
To use a dab rig, you have to heat the nail up with a torch (not a lighter). Once it reaches the optimal temperature, you move the concentrate into the nail by using the dab tool.
This isn’t a method for light smokers or beginners. You can ease into using one, however, by getting an electronic nail that takes away the need for a torch.
6. The Joint
The joint is another weed classic. They only require papers and a filter (also known as a crutch).
Joints seem to be symbolic of cannabis culture and it’s because they’re universal, require little supplies, and are easily shared amongst friends.
To smoke a joint, you’ll have to learn how to roll one properly. This takes time, patience, and proper guidance, but is doable for anyone who’s dedicated.
You can also get a mechanical joint roller that does it for you. You’ll lose style points if you do this but you’ll end up with a perfect rollie.
Aside from learning how to roll it, the main drawback of joints is that they aren’t discreet. They continually smoke from the paper and weed, which may be fine depending on your setting.
7. The Blunt
Blunts are the tobacco version of a joint. You empty out the inside of a cigar or cigarillo and use the outside of it as a paper.
Again, you have to know how to roll to be able to try this method. You can find instructions online — that’s a whole other article.
Many people choose this method because of the unique tastes and feelings of combining tobacco and weed. Keep in mind that tobacco has been proven to be extremely harmful, so you should only smoke blunts in moderation.
8. The Stationary Vaporizer
Stationary vaporizers may be the oldest weed-smoking method. Archaeologists recently discovered a 2,500-year-old weed vaporizer in China that was used at burial ceremonies.
Today, we have technology on our side to produce the cleanest vapors. You can buy a machine that heats up the weed in a chamber and releases the smoke into a tube or a plastic balloon that you smoke out of.
Some consider this the “cleanest” smoke, as you aren’t using a flame or torch to heat up the flower. It allows you to taste more flavors in the weed.
However, some also say that it can be too hot or concentrated from the machine’s heat. These rigs tend to be more expensive than other smoking methods, too.
9. The Pen
Weed pens aren’t too different from nicotine vapes. They have a small cartridge filled with a liquid concentrate that you smoke and the rest of the module is simply a thin pen for you to hold.
You can get a style that activates with the push of a button or opt for an automatic one that releases smoke when you inhale.
Either way, this method is easy, discrete, and can provide really heavy hits. The main con is that you have to keep buying cartridges of concentrate, which is usually more expensive than buying cannabis flowers.
What’s the Best Way to Smoke For You?
In reality, there is no “best way to smoke”. People will claim one of these 9 options is the best, while others will fight that a different one is.
This is because everyone has their own needs and preferences. To find out what’s right for you, you’ll have to do a little experimentation.
Keep reading our blog for more cannabis and current event news.