This bong is so rad.
How do we make one or get one?
29 Jul
One of the most frequently asked questions that I get is ‘what is the best way to consume marijuana.’ With so many people smoking for the first time due to medical reasons, or getting back on the wagon after a couple of decades off, or whatever the reason, it seems like I get asked this question at least once a day. The truth is, there isn’t a correct answer to this question; it’s a matter of personal preference.
There are so many ways to consume marijuana, that it is rarely the same from one person to the next. The best way to figure out what is best for yourself is to determine what your goal is. Are you trying to get a light head change, or are you trying to get totally blasted, or somewhere in between? How you are trying to feel will largely determine the method you end up liking the most.
Also, availability will be a big factor as well. For instance if you live in Idaho like my cousins, and you don’t even know what a headshop looks like, chances are you are just going to go Macgyver no matter what. In this article I will discuss my personal opinion on various methods, but as always, this is not the only opinion out there, and certainly doesn’t list every method of consumption. If you have a different opinion, or have a different method of consumption, please leave it in the comments section so that others can benefit from your expertise.
The most common way that people consume the first time (or first time back) seems to be the joint. A three foot double perk is very intimidating, but a doobie seems like not as much of a big deal I suppose. The joint is highly versatile (you can smoke it anywhere that smell is not a factor) and it certainly gets you high. Plus, they are fun to smoke; who doesn’t like holding fire in their hand? The big downfall to the joint though, as I alluded to above, is the smell. Joints wreak, so smoking them anywhere and everywhere is not always possible. Plus you have to re-up on papers from time to time, which is not as awesome as having a piece that is re-usable.
The pipe is a logical next step to this discussion, since it is probably the second most common form of consumption. A pipe is easy to carry around, cheap if you know the right places to purchase one, and are good for the ‘pass-around group’ settings. The bowls burn longer than in pieces that use water. The big problem I have with pipes is that they don’t get me high enough. If I smoke several bowls I get high, but there is only so much smoke that fills into the chamber of the pipe at any given time, so taking my finger off the carb doesn’t give as big of hits as a bong. However, I smoke all day everyday, so my end goal is probably different than others reading this article. If you don’t smoke like a broken chimney, a pipe is a great way to go.
A bubbler is a great in-between for those that have been smoking off the pipe but are not ready for the bong. A bubbler is basically just a fancy pipe with water filtration capabilities. I have hit off of some amazing bubblers in my day. The ‘sherlock’ bubbler style is my personal favorite. I don’t know the physics of the situation, but it just seems like sherlock bubblers create the ultimate wind tunnel in the chamber of the bubbler when the carb is released. Most bubblers are smaller than bongs, so they are easier to pack around, yet offer bigger hitting than a pipe.
The bong is fantastic. I vividly remember my first bong hit. It didn’t go well, but it started a love affair that continues to this day. Bongs require a knowledge of one’s lung capacity, so that the bong operator will know when to time pulling the carb or taking their finger off of the carb hole. If you don’t time it right, you will either take in too much smoke or leave too much smoke in the bong. The first can be quite painful, while the latter is not too big of a deal other than wasted smoke is just sad! A bong is harder to pack around, but it always does the trick. I don’t like bongs that are too big, or too small. A one to two foot bong is perfect for my lung capacity; others will obviously vary. A bong purchase is a fantastic investment to those out there that are debating whether or not to make the jump.
A blunt could have followed the joint, since it’s basically a joint in a cigar wrap, but I figured I would do it after the more common methods. A blunt is not nearly as easy to roll as a joint, and a lot of people I know don’t like tobacco mixing with their weed so they don’t do it. I love blunts myself, even though I will admit that I’m not the biggest fan of tobacco. A blunt burns longer than a joint, you can roll enormous blunts that can hold several grams, and flavored blunt wraps are fantastic. I have smoked a lot of flavored paper joints, but they don’t seem to pack as much flavor as a fruity blunt wrap. The same downfall that plagues the joint also plagues the blunt. Also, logically, a bigger blunt will make a bigger smell, so be aware of that.
Knife hits are like the marijuana equivalent of beer bonging. It’s fast and furious, and reminds me of college. The obvious benefit of the knife hit is you get annihilated, the downfall is you can hyperventilate and pass out in your kitchen (I’ve seen it too many times). Also, it takes quite a bit of prep, and your knives will never be the same! But if you are trying to go from zero to hero, knife hits are a great way to go.
Gravity hits are another great way to forget what you were doing for awhile. It’s kind of tough sometimes if you don’t have the technique down, but if you can relax the wrist and get solid suction (insert inappropriate comments here), you can get some of the biggest hits of your life. You have to be able to make a solid cap, which can be kinda tough for some people, but at least once you make it you have it forever. The downfall is a possible mouth full of water, and the smoke doesn’t filter through the water, it just sits on top (this can be fixed by making a ‘percaliter,’ but that takes the ultimate macgyver).
A waterfall/aqualung/vortex/liter, or whatever you call it (see picture) probably gets me the highest out of any of the smoking methods. It takes the least amount of weed, gets me high the fastest, and is very easy to transport. As long as you have a water source and the cap, transporting the bottle just looks like a used bottle. I’ve gotten ripped of this thing in minutes at sporting events, camping, you name it. Fast and effective. One downfall is it can also cause you to hyperventilate. I have seen more people knocked out by this device than I have ever seen in years of watching MMA. Also, I can’t imagine using an industrially made plastic bottle to smoke out of is a good thing…
Vaporizers are considered by many as the best way to consume marijuana. From the literature that I’ve read, vaporizers can eliminate up to 95% of carcinogens from the plant material. Also, the taste is very distinct with a vaporizer. A big downfall to vaporizers can be the price (especially with a Volcano) and availability, but if you can get your hands on one, I promise you will not be disappointed. The high from a vaporizer is so thorough, and so pure, that you might never consume marijuana in any other way again.
Topical solutions are a not-to-common way of consumption. The downfall is it doesn’t get your brain high since it is just basically a skin ointment, but if you are looking for medical relief, topical solutions are a stellar route to go. People get so caught up with smoking and eating marijuana that they forget the benefits of making ointments, oils, and lotions. Marijuana is truly a wonder plant, and I know many people that live and die by their topical solutions.
Another fantastic method is tinctures. I don’t know about other areas, but in Oregon, tinctures reign supreme with the older crowd. I know so many people over the age of 40 that only use tinctures because they like the high it puts off, they can take it anywhere since it isn’t smoked, and it is much healthier since it doesn’t involve breathing in burnt plant material. I’m not the biggest fan of tinctures just because it takes so long to make it (although not much effort I’ll admit). However, when someone has some, I always ask for a droppers worth, so perhaps I’m a being a bit hypocritical…haha.
The last method of consumption I will talk about is good old fashioned edibles. A brownie, a cookie, cannabutter on a cracker, cannabis infused oil items, you name it, I LOVE it! When you consume marijuana by smoking it, it goes into your nervous system. The high is intense and comes on quick, but it dissipates faster than when it goes into your blood stream when you eat it. When you eat it, it takes a bit to kick in (45to60 minutes), but when it does, oh my…This can be a problem for some people. They eat two brownies and are totally wrecked, when the same people should have probably only had a buttered cracker. If you are smart, you will be careful.
However, if you think you want to be a hero, be my guest and try to ride the highest high you can get from marijuana. Be aware that not all edibles are created equal. Some cannabutter/cannabis oil is stronger than others, and until you eat it as an experiment, you won’t know how much is too much until its too late. For those of you out there in TWB land that are like me, and you’ve never met an edible you couldn’t handle, the absolute best way to consume marijuana (in my opinion) is to make it into frosting. One of my best friends uses my atomic-grade cannabutter to make her famous frosting, and I assure all readers, there is nothing like it on this planet. I know it’s exactly how I like it when other veterans complain that it’s too strong. Cookies generally take 1/3 to 1/2 of a cup of cannabutter to make a batch. The red box classic Betty Crocker brownies generally take 2/3 of a cup of cannabutter. My friend’s recipe calls for 2 full cups of cannabutter for enough frosting for 12 cupcakes. Now that’s power!
As I stated before, there really is no BEST way to consume marijuana for all consumers. There is only a best way for each individual consumer. Hopefully this article helped put some ideas into your head, and gave you an idea of what to try. I encourage everyone to try everything and see what’s best for them.
24 Jul
We all know Porsche for designing super fast, super expensive, super sexy cars but apparently they are now making bongs high end hookahs. This bad boy is dubbed, “Shisha.” They can’t really come out and call this a bong because obviously some people may not like it. Instead they make it sound like they are selling you one of their amazingly designed cars.
The extraordinary Porsche Design Shisha combines high-quality materials such as aluminium, stainless steel and glass with the timeless and unique design approach of the luxury brand. Puristic and stylish at the same time. The Porsche Design Shisha is made in Germany and stands at a height of 55 centimetres. It only shows a discreet branding on the aluminium top of the Shisha and comes with a long flexible tube made out of TecFlex material, which is also used for the classic Porsche Design TecFlex writing tools.
The Shisha stands almost 2 feet tall (55 cm), and is made of glass and aluminum. It also features a “long flexible tube” made from Porsche’s custom TecFlex material. This thing is all kinds of badass. I will do my best to follow up on this and make sure I can get one to review for you guys. I will also let you know where you can purchase. Keep an eye out and stay high.
22 Jun

As any smoker knows, sometimes times get hard. Sometimes you can’t afford to just buy unlimited dutches for your smoking needs. The prices for dutches are going up as it is so what is a daily smoker to do to get by?
Get creative and make your own bong. That’s what.
Making a homemade bong takes some level of craftmanship and the determination to smoke that only a regular toker could have. Check out some pics of the finest looking bongs that I could get pictures of.
Bet this one would be smooth.

Counterstrike in the background. Spent many a high night as a teenager playing that.

Bamboo is really strong wood.

Looks like they made this one in 8th grade science class.

Shout outs to my man Josh on this one. This is a gravity bong. It may not look like much but it hits hella hard.

What are the ice cubes for?

The bong looks great, the weed looks better though.

A system that doubles as a bong? It doesn’t get much better than that.

This would be perfect for killing those roaches.
19 Jun
This is the ultimate Zong Bong I have ever seen. It is currently on sale in Salem, Oregon at Smokey’s Gift Shop. Smokey’s always has the most awesome stuff in Oregon:
13 Jun

Stoners are some of my favorite people in the world. They are resourceful, innovative, and they come up with some of the wildest ideas around. There is something about being stoned that brings out the most creative sides of people. It also brings out the hungriest and (sometimes) laziest parts of people too. When you are stoned you just want to chill and eat something.
Before you read this list I will give my disclaimer, I don’t know for certain that everyone who invented the products are this list were stoners. This is just speculation but pretty undeniable speculation at that.
Here are 12 inventions that were almost certainly created by someone who was blazing.

George Foreman Grill – Anything that can cook up meat this quickly, easily, and thoroughly had to have been created by a stoner. We need as many assorted munchies as we can have in as short a time as possible.
Multiple disk CD changers – For when you need to hear that track and you just DON’T feel like moving anywhere to change the CD.

Remote controls – Maybe the most important invention for stoners ever for obvious reasons. If it wasn’t for this, you would probably never change your channel, ever.
Recliners – Being comfortable during high times is essential.

Microwave Ovens – This was made by stoners for stoners. Similarly to the George Foreman Grill, fast and easy food is always a good thing.
Vending Machines – More quick and easy food, especially if you do it like these guys do it.

Clips – Any kind of clip can be used for roaches. I don’t even know that they have any other use.
Caller ID – There is nothing worse than picking up the phone while your high and it is someone you DON’T want to talk to like someone who talks too much or your boss.
Silly Putty – You have to be high to come up with some shit like this.
Lighter Leash – Stoners lose lighters like nobodies business. This is the best way for you to offer someone your lighter and make sure you get it back.

iRobot – These automatic vacuum thing are perfect for when your high but someone knocks over the ashtray.
Key ringer – Stoners have the tendency of losing things frequently. Just hope that you are not the ass that is searching for his keys with the key thing that beeps to let you know where they are, and they are right in your other hand.
7 Jun
I received an e-mail asking if bong water is considered marijuana for the sake of law enforcement possession purposes. Unfortunately, it can be. Below is a couple of articles that I dug up dealing with a case in Minnesota, which of course, is not necessarily binding on other states. However, states often refer to cases in other states when dealing with undefined, grey area issues. Bong water clearly falls into that category. If a cop would just do their job to protect and serve, and not go on a vigilante crusade, they should just consider bong water to be any other dirty liquid. But, as we are all aware, law enforcement will use anything and everything to stick it to you:

Bong water can count as a controlled substance, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a decision that raises the threat of longer sentences for drug smokers who fail to dump the water out of their pipes.
In a 4-3 decision Thursday, the state’s highest court said a person can be prosecuted for a first-degree drug crime for 25 grams or more of bong water that tests positive for a controlled substance.
The decision, which reverses two lower court rulings, came in the case of Sara Peck. Items seized during a search of her Rice County home in 2007 included a glass bong — a type of water pipe often used to smoke drugs — that contained 37 grams — about 2 1/2 tablespoons — of a liquid that tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
The Supreme Court said that unambiguously counts as a drug “mixture” under the wording of state law and sent the case back to Rice County District Court for further proceedings. The decision, authored by Justice G. Barry Anderson, noted that the liquid wasn’t plain clear water, but had a pink color and fruity odor, and that a narcotics officer had testified that drug users sometimes keep bong water to drink or inject later.
The statute defines a drug “mixture” as “a preparation, compound, mixture, or substance containing a controlled substance, regardless of purity.” When the language of a statute is unambiguous, the high court said, precedents prohibit courts from disregarding the letter of the law under the pretext of pursuing the letter of the law.
In a sharply worded dissent, Justice Paul Anderson said the majority’s decision “does not make sense, and borders on the absurd.” He said it isn’t consistent with what the Legislature intended when it wrote the state’s drug laws. And he blasted Rice County authorities for charging Peck with such a serious crime.
If bong water is considered a drug mixture, and it weighs enough to raise the crime to a first-degree drug offense, the presumed sentence for a first-time offender is seven years and two months in prison, and a felony drug offense goes on his or her record, Paul Anderson wrote.
But if the bong water is treated as part of the drug paraphernalia, as the lower courts held, he wrote, the same defendant would face no more than a $300 fine and the petty misdemeanor conviction would not go on his or her record.
Justices Alan Page and Helen Meyer joined in Paul Anderson’s dissent.
Attorney Bradford Delapena, who represents Peck, said he had not yet had a chance to discuss the ruling with her, but he said the dissent correctly pointed out the problems the ruling raises.
“They’re treating Ms. Peck, who had two tablespoons of bong water, as if she were a major drug wholesaler,” he said.
Delapena said Peck’s case now goes back to the trial court, where he said prosecutors could use the ruling to try to extract a guilty plea to a more serious offense with a stiffer sentence than a $300 fine on a petty misdemeanor. He laughed at the suggestion that it means dope smokers should empty their bongs promptly.
“I wouldn’t presume to draw that lesson,” he said. “I would just stick with the legal lessons.”
- Article from FOX News.
MINNEAPOLIS — In Minnesota, bong water can count as an illegal drug.
That decision from Minnesota’s Supreme Court on Thursday raises the threat of longer sentences for drug smokers in that state who fail to dump the water out of bong — a type of water pipe often used to smoke drugs
The court said a person can be prosecuted for a first-degree drug crime for 25 grams or more of bong water that tests positive for a controlled substance.
Lower courts had held that bong water is drug paraphernalia. Possession of that is a misdemeanor crime.
The case involved a woman whose bong had about 2 1/2 tablespoons of liquid that tested positive for methamphetamine. A narcotics officer had testified that drug users sometimes keep bong water to drink or inject later.
- Article from the Associated Press.