Cannabis Accessories

Topical Administration

Topical cannabis products typically come in the form of cannabis-infused creams, lotions, and salves. However, there is a diverse range of topicals on the market, including bath salts and oils, personal lubricants, and more. Topical products are applied to the skin, where they penetrate the outermost layer of the epidermis and provide localized relief. Transdermal products are an important subcategory of topical products that feature encapsulated cannabinoids, which allows them to penetrate all layers of the skin and enter the bloodstream, providing full-body relief.

Sublingual Administration

Many cannabis products can be placed under the tongue, an administration method known as sublingual. The network of capillaries beneath the tongue is close to the surface of the very thin skin there, enabling cannabinoids and terpenes to reach the bloodstream fairly quickly. There are a number of products that can be dosed sublingually, but alcohol-based or oil-based tinctures are among the most popular, as they can be placed with the included dropper or syringe.

Edibles, or Oral Ingestion

Although inhalation is technically an oral route of administration, oral ingestion specifically involves swallowing and digesting cannabis products. Once digested, these products are then metabolized by the liver, breaking cannabinoids down into cannabinoid byproducts. This enables multiple cannabis compounds to interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, lengthening and intensifying their effects. In addition, the effects will take longer to appear – anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.

Inhalation

Inhalation is the classic way to consume cannabis and typically involves combusting dried cannabis flower or vaporizing cannabis concentrates, then inhaling the resulting smoke or vapor. Doing so enables you to draw activated cannabis compounds like THC, CBD, and essential terpenes into your lungs, where they can quickly cross into the bloodstream for circulation to the body’s cannabinoid receptors. You can feel the effects of inhaled cannabis in just a few minutes.

Ways to inhale cannabis include:

• Smoking cannabis flower from a joint, pipe, bong, or other smoking accessory
• Vaporizing cannabis flower with a dry vape apparatus
• Vaporizing cannabis concentrates with a desktop or portable dab device
• Vaporizing cannabis concentrates with the help of a dab rig
• Inhaling cannabis vapor from a specially designed vape pen or pod

Spoon Bowl

This type of pipe has existed for thousands of years and continues to be one of the most common types of pipes on the market. Spoon bowls contain a round bowl, a stem leading to a seamless mouthpiece, and a carb. This pipe is great for beginners looking for a simple, accessible, easy to clean piece that can also be taken on the go.

Sherlock Pipe

These pipes are designed with longer necks and a larger bowl compared to spoon bowls. This allows you to pack more cannabis into each bowl and inhale larger hits if desired. Because of the long neck, the pipe also offers more cooling as the smoke travels toward you to be inhaled. Sherlock pipes are the pipe of choice for many cannabis enthusiasts.

Steamroller

For those who want to take bigger or longer hits, steamrollers may be the pipe for you. These contain two open ends with a bowl on top. Due to the length and extra capacity, you can take longer hits and still give the smoke time to cool before reaching your mouth.

Functionally, the steamroller works like other pipes, as you’re still putting a flame to the bowl, though you’ll also be required to cover one end of the pipe with your free hand while the smoke fills the chamber. When you’re ready to take the hit, release your hand and exhale.

One-Hitters and Chillums

One-hitters are a great choice for those who require smaller amounts of flower to achieve desired effects, or for those who want to take a small amount of cannabis and a pipe on the go - to be consumed in a state-compliant way, of course. Like the glass joint, you simply need to load a one-hitter with cannabis flower, light the cannabis reservoir, and smoke like a joint or small pipe. Chillums are a traditional, cone-shaped type of one-hitter formed from clay or engraved stone, often used in Rastafari rituals.

Bongs and Bubblers

A bong consists of a bowl like dry pipes, but bong bowls are removable and include a downstem, which is a small tube that lets smoke travel from the bowl down to the base. The base is filled with water, and the smoke travels through the water before rising into the neck, the long tube you picture when you think of a bong. From there, you simply need to inhale via the mouthpiece. Using a bong is simple and a bit easier on the throat and lungs, which makes this a viable option for beginners.

If you were to merge a pipe with a bong, this would be the result. Bubblers are very similar to dry pipes, but they also contain a chamber of water for water filtration. Most bubblers have fixed down-stems that can't be removed for clearing the hit or cleaning, unlike bongs. If you want to take measured, filtered hits from a smaller accessory, a bubbler can get the job done the best.

Rolling Papers

Rolling papers are the primary tool you’ll need to roll joints and can be made from hemp paper, rice paper, or wood pulp. Typically, rolling papers come with adhesive edges, which makes the process of rolling joints easier. Rolling joints with paper is a straightforward process, but it does require some practice to get right and to find the type of rolling paper that works best for you.

Cones

Cones are remarkably similar to rolling papers but are a simpler, more modern take on that concept. Cones are already shaped into a joint, so using cones may be the best option to get started with joints. To use a cone effectively, pour in dried, ground flower a bit at a time, packing it down as you go, until it reaches the top, then twist the open end to keep your cannabis in the cone. Once this is done, light the cone and enjoy.

Rolling Trays

A rolling tray is exactly what it sounds like – a shallow tray designed specifically to roll joints,  blunts, or stuff cones. Rolling trays can be used to catch any excess cannabis that escapes a joint during the rolling process. When you’re not rolling, you can use the tray as a place to sit your cannabis and other tools or accessories.

Hemp Wicks

If you don’t have a butane lighter or haven’t mastered the angle necessary to light a bowl, bong, or joint, consider purchasing a hemp wick. This is a hemp rope that can help light bowls and pre-rolls. You only need to light the end, then touch the flower to the burnt end while inhaling.

Grinders

Grinders are used to break cannabis flower pieces, or nugs, into small, consistent pieces to be rolled into joints or even packed into pipes. While you can do this with your hands, a grinder is easier, cleaner, and enables you to produce finer, more consistent cannabis grinds. Grinders can be made from metal, plastic, or wood, though metal grinders are the most common. They typically consist of four pieces: a lid, grinding teeth, a storage chamber, and a kief catcher - though the kief catcher is not in every grinder. You'll remove the lid, place your cannabis nug in the grinding chamber with teeth, replace the lid, twist the grinder, and the ground cannabis will fall into the storage chamber for use. If your grinder has a kief catcher, there will be a fine mesh screen beneath the storage chamber to filter out the kief – the tiny, resinous trichomes that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Dab Rig

Rolling papers are the primary tool you’ll need to roll joints and can be made from hemp paper, rice paper, or wood pulp. Typically, rolling papers come with adhesive edges, which makes the process of rolling joints easier. Rolling joints with paper is a straightforward process, but it does require some practice to get right and to find the type of rolling paper that works best for you.

Nail or Banger

A nail is almost always a titanium piece, while bangers can be made of other metals, quartz, or ceramic. While they can be assorted sizes, consist of different angles, feature domes, or remain open, what’s important about the nail or banger is that it can be heated to high temperatures and receive your dab concentrates. Quartz and titanium are often used due to how quickly they heat up, how well they hold temperature, and the clarity of flavor they provide.

Dab Tool

A dab tool can be used to gather the desired amount of concentrate from the storage container and place it on the nail or banger. Dab tools are made from heat-resistant materials that can withstand the temperature of the nail or banger. Dropping concentrates in the dab rig by hand can be messy and even dangerous; having a dab tool can make the process simpler, prevent the loss of product, and protect your fingers.

Nectar Collectors or Nectar Straws

Nectar collectors are a unique type of dab tool that is slim and portable. The tip is made from either quartz or titanium, which you heat with a torch, just like you would a nail or banger. Simply place the heated tip on a small, prepared amount of concentrate and inhale the resulting vapor. When you’re finished with your dab, you can simply place the hot end of the collector back into the lid. Nectar collectors are easy to store and take with you on the go.

Flow Cap

Also known as a carb cap, these can create a seal atop the nail or banger. These caps contain a hole and a stem that extends from the bottom of the cap. A flow cap allows the concentrate to vaporize faster than other methods and may enable vaporizing at a lower temperature.

Bubble Cap

A bubble cap is used to control how much air is pulled into the banger, which distributes the vapor evenly. In doing so, the flavor of the cannabis is enhanced when you inhale, and it is easier to isolate the vapor for inhaling. When you inhale, place the bubble cap on the top of the banger and twist it around. When you’re ready to clear the rig, you can remove the cap.

Torch

Traditional dab rigs require the use of a torch, which is a butane-filled lighter that can produce a steady, even-temperature flame. Butane torches are preferable to other torches due to their ability to concentrate the flame on a single point and more efficiently heat the nail to a high temperature. Torches are simple to use and much more effective than heating the nail on a stovetop or via a regular lighter.

E-nail

Another alternative is an e-nail, which uses no open flame. Instead, the nail is attached to a box, which in turn plugs into the wall. Many prefer e-nails because it allows for more control of temperature - with blow torches, it’s a guess-and-check, but with e-nails, you can tailor to a specific temperature, and have it set to remain at that temperature for the duration of your dab session.

Tabletop Vaporizers

Also called a desktop vaporizer, this device forces hot air through a heater, which helps vaporize dried cannabis flower without getting hot enough to combust the cannabis and produce smoke. This method allows for the vaporizer to fill with clean, fresh vapor available for inhaling. Depending on the model, the vapor may be available for direct draw straight from the vaporizer, or you may need to route the vapor into a bag or into a tube and glass mouthpiece apparatus known as a whip.

Handheld Dry Herb Vapes

Similar to a tabletop dry herb vaporizer, a handheld contains a heating chamber designed to vaporize dry herbs or concentrates. Handheld dry herb vapes are portable and sleek, making them a popular choice for on-the-go vaping enthusiasts. With advancements in technology, many handheld dry herb vapes offer features like precise temperature control and easy-to-use interfaces. Unlike traditional smoking methods, handheld dry herb vapes deliver a clean and flavorful vape experience without the harmful toxins associated with combusted smoke. Whether you're relaxing at home or exploring the great outdoors, a handheld dry herb vape offers a convenient and satisfying way to enjoy your favorite strains and concentrates.

Disposable Vape Pens

These portable vape pens can be disposed of when empty. Disposable vape pens come pre-charged and already contain cannabis oil. They are inexpensive and discreet in their appearance, enabling you to easily use cannabis wherever you may be.

Rechargeable Vape Batteries and Cartridges

Refillable, rechargeable vapes are typically sold as a vape battery with a charging cable. Depending on the model and its level of sophistication, you may be able to adjust the temperature settings, flow rate, and more – though most are simply draw-activated, vaporizing the oil as you inhale with no pressing of buttons required. These rechargeable batteries are paired with vape carts designed to connect to the battery, and are most often sold as single use carts in dispensaries, though there are refillable cartridge options.

Cannabis Storage

There are several options available when it comes to storing cannabis flower or concentrates. If you want to keep things simple, you can use glass containers like mason jars for your cannabis. Not only are these containers easy to clean, but because of their seal, they can keep the smell of the cannabis from escaping and keep your cannabis tasting fresh. Of course, if you don't have any glass containers available, you can purchase small containers from retailers that are made specifically to store your cannabis.

Stash Boxes

You'll need someplace to store your cannabis concentrates, flower, rolling papers, accessories, and other tools. While many people like to keep these items on an attractive rolling tray for easy access, a stash box might be preferable for more discreet individuals. Stash boxes can be made of wood, plastic, metal, and more and can be made to look like books, decorative items, or even electronic safes. The best part is that they keep your cannabis accessories hidden from view while also masking the signature cannabis aroma.