Stroll into any head shop, and you’ll be bombarded with a dizzying array of shiny grinders, foot-tall bongs and rolling papers in all the colours of the rainbow. If you’ve never smoked cannabis before or are new to weed, it can be an intimidating experience trying to figure out exactly what you need. Here are five must-have accoutrements for first-time weed smokers.
Pipe bomb
They’re available in a variety of materials like wood, crystal, glass, high-tech metals and clay, but buying your first pipe can be a difficult decision. The Journey 3 is an excellent, unfussy starter pipe. It’s shatter-proof, has a built-in filtering system and comes apart, making it super easy to clean. It also features a magnetic top, which means you can stash a packed bowl without worrying about spillage.
$60, Weedbox, weedbox.io
Grinder 1, 2, 3s
When you buy cannabis from a dispensary or online from a Licensed Producer, it’ll often come in small buds. Before you pack a pipe or roll a joint, it’s best to grind up the flower so it burns evenly. You can use your hands or scissors to do this, but metal grinders keep your fingers sticky-free. This SharpStone aluminum grinder has three chambers: a top chamber with sharp teeth to cut up the flower, a second to store the ground-up buds and a third to catch “kief,” which are crystals that can be sprinkled on top of packed bowls or joints for greater potency.
$30 at Hot Box Café (204 Augusta), hotboxshop.ca
Stone in a cone
Rolling perfect joints takes some good motor skills and a lot of practice. Until you master it, these pre-rolled cones are great for beginners. Simply pack in your weed, twist the paper at the end and you’re ready to light up.
$3 for six-pack at Friendly Stranger (241 Queen West), friendlystranger.com
Pack with punch
If you’re slow to go through your stash, these small humidity packs help keep your weed fresher for longer by preserving the flavour, aroma and colour of your bud. Stick the packet in your cannabis container and replace it when it turns hard.
From $3 at Hot Box Café (204 Augusta), hotboxcafe.ca
Smell-proof storage
While some might enjoy the earthy scent of cannabis, most people won’t want their house smelling like it, especially if they have young kids or mischievous teenagers. Store your weed and papers in this pouch that has a double Velcro seal and an activated carbon lining that conceals scents. A larger, zippered version allows you to store pipes, grinders and other paraphernalia.
$30 for 4.5” x 6” pouch at Tokyo Smoke (multiple locations), tokyosmoke.com
High Buys is NOW’s new cannabis lifestyle column featuring our favourite weed-related products and paraphernalia each week. Got a tip? Email us at cannabis@nowtoronto.com.
