Have you tried lighting yourself with hemp wick? Wait, what is hemp wick?

When it’s time to smoke some cannabis, the joint needs to be lit. Whether it’s a Bic or a Zippo, the typical butane lighter tends to come in handy for most users. One could really conclude that a lighter is the second most important item after marijuana itself.

Nonetheless, very health-conscious cannabis lovers are looking for an alternative to matches or traditional lighters. So far, the hemp wick has established itself as the best alternative to matches or lighters.

What is a hemp wick?

Hemp wick is a long string of natural hemp fibers coated with beeswax. Thanks to the beeswax, the hemp wick acts like a candlestick that takes a long time to burn down. Hemp wick can be used to light up pipes and bongs, and proponents have confirmed that it’s a healthier option compared to matches or lighters.

People have been using hemp wicks for various purposes for many decades. Today, manufacturers use long-lasting fibers from industrial hemp to create the wick. These fibers are also used to make cord, chambers, and various useful utensils.

To light the hemp wick, you can use either a lighter or a match. Once you’ve done that it burns slowly and is best used on a bong, bowl or other smoking device. Since it takes a long time to burn, you can leave it lit while adding more cannabis to the bowl. When you’re done, you can blow it out and keep it clean for the next session.

Why should you use a hemp wick?

The problem has always been with using butane lighters. However, with butane gas, cannabis ignites at a very high temperature and once inhaled it is significantly hotter, resulting in increased damage to the lungs and throat. The butane gas also mixes with the smoke that enters your lungs, exposing it to sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, which are harmful substances.

On the other hand, when matches are used to light marijuana, the user inhales a combination of glue, wood, and various combustible chemicals. Additionally, lighting up your bun with a lighter or a match also damages the fundamental cannabinoids in the strain.

The increased temperature also affects the quality of cannabis that one consumes. The fact is, terpenes and cannabinoids burn at different temperatures. If the temperature goes above that, the benefits of these cannabinoids are lost. For example, terpenes are responsible for the distinctive taste and smell of weed. Burning off these terpenes ultimately reduces flavor.

Benefits of the hemp wick

When used to light a joint, hemp wick offers a cleaner smoking experience. No doubt you still need a match or light to start the process, but you set them aside immediately after the wick begins to burn. Since a wick is made from hemp, it is significantly healthier compared to butane. Hemp that does not emit toxic flames when combined with butane lighters and matches.

Another important point to note is that hemp wick burns at a significantly lower temperature compared to butane since it is not a gas. This implies that more cannabinoids from hemp wick lit marijuana get into a lighter.

The hemp wick’s lower burning temperature helps conserve more cannabinoids and terpenes, giving users tastier hits.

Finally, lighting a joint with hemp wick becomes more accurate. For example, it is easier to corner a bowl with a hemp wick.

Disadvantages of using a hemp wick?

While the hemp wick isn’t a perfect solution, its benefits far outweigh its downsides. The following are some of the disadvantages of using hemp wicks:

Learning how to properly light a hemp wick takes some practice. If you’re already high or suffering from poor hand coordination, you could consider taking something else besides the hemp wick.

While hemp wick offers many benefits, it’s not as common as you might think. As such, getting one at your local store might be harder than expected. However, it is easier to get one online.

A hemp wick is also quite impractical for on-the-go smoking sessions. It would be more convenient to cut off a small section, but it could easily be lost.

Hemp wicks are characterized by a pungent odor that is not easily eliminated or masked.

How to use a hemp wick

Hemp wicks vary in size, but typically range from a few feet to several hundred. You can also get hemp wicks in different diameters. Note that the thicker the wick, the longer it burns.

The following is a step-by-step guide to using a hemp wick.

When you’re done with the hemp wick, blow out the flame or submerge the tip in water. Make sure the flame is out before putting it back on the roller. Otherwise it will keep burning without you knowing.

We recommend that you keep the wick in a clean place that will not collect dirt and dust.

Conclusion

Many cannabis users are now starting to use hemp wicks as a healthier alternative to lighting up their joints. Made from hemp fibers and coated with beeswax, hemp wicks burn for a very long time without producing any harmful chemicals, unlike butane gas lighters.

If you are interested in a hemp wick, the easiest way is to order one online as many local stores do not stock the product.