The 9 best ways to smoke weed

Learn how best to consume cannabis and how to choose the right one for you.

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• Different ways to smoke weed
• What is the best way to smoke cannabis

People have been experimenting with different methods of smoking weed for generations. The first known bong found by scientists dates back to 2,400 years ago, when tribal chiefs used golden “vessels” to smoke substances like cannabis and opium. Since then, other methods of smoking weed have become mainstream, leaving the modern cannabis smoker with a long list of options to choose from.

To help you get started on your smoking journey, Leafly created this list of the best ways to smoke weed and the pros and cons of each method.

Different ways to smoke weed

joints

A joint is a ground cannabis flower rolled up into a paper. Joints are a popular social choice and arguably one of the easiest ways to smoke weed.

The main benefit of smoking a joint is the convenience factor. Joints are easy to carry and fun to share with friends. And because joints tend to be small, controlling your THC dosage is easier than other ways of smoking weed. Because of this, joints are a great starting point for new cannabis users to explore their favorite way to smoke weed.

The downside to smoking a joint is that depending on how often you smoke, it may not be the most cost-effective option compared to buying cannabis flower in bulk and smoking it with a pipe or bong.

Pipe

Another popular way to smoke weed is with a pipe. Whistles are usually made of glass. Whistles are easy to carry around and discreet.

Pipes appeal to cannabis users of all experience levels because they are a low-maintenance way to smoke weed. Whistles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them easy to carry around. Compared to bongs, pipes offer the same powerful high but without the extra need for water.

The disadvantages of smoking weed from a pipe are that, like bongs, they may be made of glass and can easily break or crack if you drop them. Because pipes do not use water, the hit can be harder than other smoking methods that use water.

bong

Smoking weed from a bong is one of the most proven ways to get high. Bongs, sometimes called “water pipes,” are pipes that filter the smoke before you inhale it. Typically made out of glass, many bongs have the same visual appeal as a work of art.

Bongs are one of the most timeless devices used to smoke weed. They often appeal to cannabis smokers because the water chamber offers a smoother and cleaner hit than other types of weed smoking.

The downside to smoking weed with bongs is that many bongs are made out of glass, which means they break easily. Also, bongs aren’t as portable as other methods of smoking weed and often deliver large hits.

For new cannabis users, bongs may not be the best method when smoking weed for the first time. The mechanics of smoking from a bong are easy to learn with practice, but as a new cannabis user it could feel challenging and put a damper on your smoking experience. Bongs can also deliver a powerful high that might overwhelm those with a low THC tolerance.

In general, bongs should be reserved for experienced cannabis users who are willing to master their airflow.

blower

Bubblers are a mix between bongs and pipes. Externally, bubblers look similar to whistles. But they often stand out because they also have a water chamber, like bongs. What makes a bubbler different from a bong is that bubblers don’t have a removable bowl to remove the smoke. Instead, it works like a whistle with a built-in carburetor.

Bubblers are popular because they mimic the experience of smoking from a bong, but with much more compact hardware. Cannabis users like fizzers because the water in the chamber helps cool the smoke to prevent throat irritation. Because of this, bubblers are a great starting point for cannabis users learning how to smoke weed.

vape pen

Vape pens are portable smoking pens with cartridges containing cannabis oil and a battery-powered heating element. Vape pens are popular because they are easy to use and don’t require any additional items like a lighter. Another feature of vape pens is that they are discreet in size and smell.

Depending on how often you hit your vape pen, as well as the potency of your oil, you may or may not experience a powerful high. When you first smoke weed with a vape pen, space out your hits until you understand how THC affects your body.

The downside to vaporizers is that serious health and safety concerns have arisen over the past five years. In 2020, 2,800 cases of EVALI, a disease caused by a harmful ingredient in vapes manufactured and sold in the illicit market, were reported.
If you are considering buying a vape pen to smoke weed, it is best to do so at a pharmacy. Cannabis products sold in pharmacies must first pass rigorous chemical testing before a product can be sold to an adult.

split ends

Joints’ distant cousin are spliffs. A spliff is a joint that has cannabis flower and tobacco mixed together. Spliffs appeal to many people making the transition from smoking tobacco to smoking weed as they offer the best of both worlds. Another added benefit of spliffs is that they are much easier to roll than a joint. Because tobacco is finely cut, it can fill in the tiny gaps that cannabis cannot.

The downside to smoking spliffs is that some people dislike tobacco and don’t want to mix it with their cannabis. Also, the smell of tobacco mixed into the spliff can be off-putting for some people. Not to mention that tobacco is known to be bad for your health.

If you are a new cannabis user, spliffs may not be the best way to smoke weed as the combination of the effects of cannabis and tobacco can feel overwhelming.

bluntly

Blunts are another tobacco-inclusive way to smoke weed. Blunts are made from ground cannabis flowers wrapped in thick tobacco paper.

Blunts appeal to people who like the smell and taste of tobacco. Depending on the packaging, some come in pleasant flavors like grape, strawberry, cherry, etc. that add to the overall smoking experience. But for the same reason people like blunts, others dislike them and are put off by the smell and taste of tobacco.

Blunts can offer potent effects and should be reserved for cannabis users who are comfortable with tobacco and enjoy its flavor.

dab rig

A dab rig is a small type of hookah used to smoke cannabis concentrates such as rosin, oil, gravy, and more. Smoking weed from a dab rig is attractive because dab rigs are more portable than bongs and don’t use loose cannabis flower like bongs do. While smoking weed with a dab rig means you’re enjoying a non-flammable concentrate, you’ll still need a heating element like a torch or e-nail to get your dab rig up to the right temperature before hitting a hit take.

The downside of smoking weed from a dab rig is that concentrates are incredibly potent compared to cannabis flower and may not be suitable for someone new to the feelings THC gives them as the effects could feel overwhelming . Additionally, using a flashlight to heat up a dab rig requires practice to get it right, and purchasing butane gas substitutes can be costly over time.

one hitter

A one-hitter is a small pipe that you can smoke weed from. As the name suggests, one-hitters can only hold one hit of weed at a time. One-hitters come in a variety of styles, including cigarette-like versions for those who prefer discretion.

Cannabis users enjoy one-hitters because they are convenient to use and don’t take up much space. One-hitters are good for new cannabis users as you can only load one hit at a time, making it difficult to smoke too much weed at once. Due to their limited ability to hold volume, one-hitters typically offer a less powerful high than other forms of weed smoking.

At the same time, some people might find one-hitters frustrating because you have to reload them every time you want to hit. Some may also prefer a smoking method that produces a stronger high than what one-hitters offer.

What is the best way to consume cannabis?

What is most important when deciding how best to consume cannabis ultimately comes down to your personal wants, needs and preferences. Whichever method of smoking weed you enjoy the most is the one that works best for you. In addition, the following factors may also play a role in your decision.

product availability

Depending on where you live, you may not have access to certain forms of cannabis used for certain types of smoking methods, such as B. oils or concentrates.

Possibility to purchase hardware and smoking accessories

Some methods of smoking weed require specific types of tools and hardware that can be expensive or difficult to find. Alternatively, some forms of cannabis, such as B. Pre-Rolls, sold ready to smoke.

your lifestyle

Not all smoking methods work for every lifestyle. For example, people who want to smoke on the go probably don’t have the time or space to carry and light a bong.

your personal preference

Ultimately, it all comes down to personal wishes, needs and preferences. Whichever method of smoking weed you enjoy the most is the one that works best for you.

health considerations

It is important to consider any health concerns you may have from smoking weed. For example, people with respiratory problems like asthma should always consult a doctor before smoking weed.
Ready to hit the pharmacy? Use Leafly to help you find medical and recreational pharmacies near you.