HOUSE RULES Archives

Our Love Affair with the One-Hitter—Here’s Why You Need One, too!

The one-hitter is one of the simplest and most discreet cannabis accessories.
These simple pipes are perfect for on-the-go, stylish smokes.
One-hitters hold just enough cannabis for 1-2 hits, which makes them ideal for microdosing.

6-minute read

Why a one-hitter?

What do you do when you’re in the mood to smoke but only want a little bit of cannabis? Packing a bowl will give you more than the 1-2 hits you’re looking for. You might have half an old joint lying around…but old cannabis isn’t the best cannabis. Enter the one-hitter. Perfect for microdosing and on-the-go, one-hitters pack a mighty punch. And our Le Pipes are as elegant and sleek as they come. These small pipes produce smooth, clean draws. And their length also lets the smoke cool before it hits your throat. With one-hitters, you avoid harsh, throat-burning inhalations.

What is a one-hitter?

One-hitters are one of our fave smoking accessories. There’s so much to love about them. They’re small, thin pipes that fit just enough flower for a hit or two. These pipes are designed to let you easily consume cannabis when you’re on-the-go. They slip discreetly into your pocket, purse, or stash bag. Typically, one-hitters are made from glass, ceramic, metal, or wood. They also come in a variety of styles. So there’s one out there for everyone. Their shape normally mimics a joint or a cigarette. One end of the pipe has a little bowl with a small hole in it for air to pass through. That’s where you pack your cannabis. The other end is what you bring to your lips to inhale from.

Different types of one-hitters

All one-hitters have the same basic design. But they do vary some. The 3 types of one-hitters are bats, chillums, and dugouts.

Bats

Bats are a type of one-hitter that get their name from their shape. Born of prohibition, they’re a very discreet tubular shape. They quite literally look like a baseball bat or a cigarette. This style of one-hitter is often made of metal. But our fave, of course, is our ceramic bat, Le Pipe. Its minimalist simplicity is its strength. And it comes in 6 yummy colors!

Chillums

Chillums are tubular pipes that were traditionally made from soft stone or clay. They’ve been popular in the US since the 1960s. But chillums have been around since long before that. Archaeologists have found early examples of these kinds of pipes in Pre-Columbian America. They were also popular in 18th-century India. Later, chillum-style pipes spread to Africa. Old-school chillums were used with a stone. At first, it was literally a pebble. Inserting it into the pipe kept users from inhaling their actual herb—similar to how a filter or a screen functions. A chillum usually has a small hole drilled down through the center of the pipe and slits on the sides that allow smoke to pass freely.

Chillums today

Today, they’re primarily made of glass. In fact, lots of our customers use our borosilicate glass Soho Joint Holder as a tiny chillum. The depressions of its dot design serve the same purpose as the pebble did. They catch and hold your cannabis, similar to a bowl without actually being one.

Dugouts

Dugouts are a bit different than other types of one-hitters. They’re usually rectangular 2-piece sets that include a carrying case as well as a pipe. So they aren’t quite as small and discreet as others. But dugouts are convenient all-in-one kits for on-the-go consumption. The carrying case contains compartments for both a one-hitter pipe and ground flower. The name “dugout” apparently stems from the fact that they originated with a piece of wood that was dug out to create a prohibition-friendly hidden space for cannabis. But we like to associate the name with the fact that they allow you to pop your pipe into the flower chamber. So you quite literally push your pipe down and twist to “dig out” a bowlful of flower that’s nicely packed. Voilá!

What are the benefits of using a one-hitter?

You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to cannabis accessories and consumption methods. So why a one-hitter? These pocket-sized pipes have more benefits than you might think.

Discretion

Cannabis legalization is spreading across the US. So chances are you live in a state where recreational use is already legal—or will be soon. But we’re still fighting against the stigma fostered by 85 years of prohibition. (Yep. Cannabis hasn’t been illegal since time immemorial. It’s only been illegal in the US since 1937.) So not everyone is open about their cannabis consumption yet. We get it. Luckily, one-hitters are a great option for those of us who like to be more discreet about our consumption. Since these pipes are small and slender, they’re easy to tuck away almost anywhere.

Fantastic for when you’re on the go

Another perq of the one-hitter’s diminutive size is that they’re perfect to bring anywhere you go. Do you want to get in a quick smoke after work? Do you anticipate craving a quick hit before a night out in the city? Stash a one-hitter in your clutch, and you’re good to go. Slip it out for a quick smoke. It’ll cool off almost immediately. So, right after you’re done, you can stick it right back in even your smallest handbag.

Conserving your stash

In the cannabis world, there are few things worse than wasting perfectly good flower. But there are ways to conserve your stash. With bongs and pipes, it’s too easy to pack the entire bowl—even if you don’t want to smoke it all. But overpacking often leads to your cannabis going to waste. With joints, you can put them out when you’re done and relight them later. But once you’ve burned a joint, the flower is never quite as fresh. On the other hand, when you pack a one-hitter you’re not using much flower. You just use the exact amount of cannabis you want to smoke.

One-hitters make microdosing a dream

Microdosing is becoming an increasingly popular consumption method because it lets you reap all the benefits of cannabis without getting too high. Microdosing may also have health benefits to aid in getting better sleep, alleviating anxiety, and even managing menopause. One-hitters are all about consuming just a little. So one-hitters are a game-changer for microdosers. Edibles and tinctures are common ways to microdose, too. But once you take an edible, you have to wait up to 4 hours to feel its full effects. So, if you’ve taken too much, there’s nothing to do but wait…sometimes for 8-9 hours. When you inhale, though, you feel the effects almost immediately. So you can take a puff at time to figure out your personal sweet spot. A one-hitter holds only about 25 mg of flower. Depending on your strain, that means you’re getting just a few mg of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. And that’s a perfect way to microdose.

One-hitters are ideal for the environment

One of the many beautiful things about one-hitters is that they’re an environmentally conscious smoking method. These days, it seems like everyone is thinking about what they can to reduce their carbon footprint. And that includes our cannabis use. Unlike rolling papers, one-hitters are reusable. And unlike many vapes, they’re not made of plastic. They also don’t need batteries or electricity for charging.

How to use a one-hitter

We love how easy one-hitters are to use. And we think you will, too! Using a one-hitter is similar to smoking out of a larger pipe. All you need is your one-hitter, your strain of choice, and a lighter. You’ll want to grind your flower and pack it lightly into the pipe’s bowl to get rid of any big air pockets. If you pack it right and your cannabis is fresh, it should stay nicely in your bowl and not fall out. Raise your one-hitter to your lips with the mouthpiece towards you. Then, bring the flame of your lighter to the bowl of the pipe. The trick here is to hold the pipe at an angle, so you keep the flame as far away from your face as possible.

Taking care of your one-hitter

Like with any cannabis accessory, for the best experience, it’s important to properly clean your one-hitter. One of their other benefits is that they’re easy to clean. While you don’t need to clean them daily, it’s definitely something you want to do regularly. Otherwise, resin will build up and restrict the airflow that you need to get the most out of your cannabis. But cleaning never sounds fun to us. So here are our 8 secrets for easy pipe cleaning.

HOUSE RULES

Best Cannabis flower: the 8 qualities you need to look for

Here’s how to spot the best cannabis flower.
The best cannabis has the right color, texture, and a strong scent.
Cannabis testing helps ensure the best cannabis is also the cleanest and safest flower.
Read on for the 8 things you need to look for to get good flower.

7-minute read

How to Choose the Best Cannabis

With increasing legalization, there’s more and more cannabis out there. But that also means that there’s increasing variation in cannabis quality. So it’s important to know how to find the best cannabis. As always, we’re here to help. So the next time you’re buying flower, you’ll know how to recognize the difference between great, average, and substandard flower.

#1 Cannabinoid content

If you’re like most of us, you probably look first at cannabinoid content—primarily THC and CBD. That makes sense. There are super high THC strains of flower out there with 27% to 35%, or even higher. But really high THC content can exponentially increase the price of flower without increasing the quality of your experience enough to justify it. We’re firm believers in the entourage effect—that the best cannabis comes up from a fantastic combination of everything the plant has to offer. That includes a winning interaction of terpenes and minor cannabinoids, not just THC. Craft growers have also told us that the THC content in their best flower is usually in the 18-23% range. But there’s more to it than just the strain’s THC content.

The growing process is important

It’s also really important that the grower properly cures their flower. A strain could have all the THC in the world. But if the grower doesn’t properly cure their flower after they harvest it, a lot of the THC can be lost. So super high THC won’t guarantee you a great experience. On the other hand, a low cannabinoid content will definitely decrease the strain’s effects right off the bat.

Think about the kind of effects you want

Along with THC and CBD, cannabis contains several other important cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the active chemical compounds that contribute to the effects each strain produces. Since THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, it’s a big consideration. Do you want to feel euphoric? Or do you need to stay mentally clear while relieving pain or anxiety? If the former, then choose a high THC strain. But if the latter, then you likely want to focus on CBD—the other cannabinoid we know most about right now.

Focus on CBD if you don’t want psychoactive effects

CBD won’t cause any psychotropic effects. But it’s widely recognized for its potential health and wellness benefits. We love CBD for enhancing sleep as well as relieving pain and anxiety. So if you’re going for those effects, look at flower with high CBD content. Keep in mind, though, that our doctors have advised us that CBD is more effective when it’s combined with at least a little THC. For instance, you can get strains that have just enough THC to supercharge your CBD without any noticeable psychoactivity. So, before you buy flower, check the cannabinoid content to make sure it’s the best cannabis for you.

#2 The best cannabis is clean cannabis

The best cannabis flower is also contaminant-free. Of course, none of us want to ingest contaminants. But that’s especially important with cannabis. That’s because the cannabis plant is a particularly strong bioaccumulator. Its roots are specifically good at drawing pesticides and pollution out of the soil. In fact, cannabis is so good at drawing contaminants out of the soil that industrial hemp is used to clean up toxic waste sites. So, if there is anything bad in a grower’s soil, the cannabis plant will draw those contaminants out of it and into itself. You don’t want any of that! That’s why it’s really important to buy from a trusted, legal source.

#3 The best cannabis is reliably tested

Anytime you’re buying cannabis, make sure the grower used a reputable lab to test it for purity. To see if cannabis flower has been tested, look for its Certificate of Analysis (COA). Depending on the state, COAs can be accessed through QR codes or other means on the packaging. They’ll tell you everything you need to know about what’s in the flower you’re buying. Knowing this information helps you determine which is the best cannabis for you. Labeling and testing requirements vary state-to-state. But most require test results for pesticides, heavy metals, fungus, and other biological pests. Testing also makes it easier to determine whether the strain has the best cannabinoid and terpene profile for you. Cannabis is natural. So every harvest is slightly different. Besides purity, testing definitively determines the percentages of cannabinoids and terpenes in each crop.

Play Video about Best Cannabis Flower YouTube Still

#4 The stronger the fragrance, the better the bud

Did you know that all of the best cannabis flower has one thing in common? That’s a strong fragrance. In fact, a strong scent is the most important indicator that you’ve got quality cannabis. Cannabis that’s been cured and cultivated to the highest standards will produce a strong, yet pleasant aroma. Scent is all about terpenes. They naturally occur in all plants, including cannabis. Terpenes are what give every plant their distinctive smells, tastes, and effects. In cannabis, terpenes are most abundant in the trichomes of the female plant. Its trichomes contain the resin glands that produce both its terpenes and cannabinoids. So, the stronger the scent, the stronger its effects—whether it’s citrusy, earthy, piney, or whatever.

How should the best cannabis flower smell?

One of our fave terpenes in cannabis is limonene. It’s the same citrusy terpene you know from lemons. Just like in food, terpenes help determine what your experience of cannabis will be like. That’s true whether you’re looking for a strain that’s calming, stimulating, relaxing, or sleep-inducing. Since terpenes may have health and wellness benefits all on their own, that’s another reason to consider terpenes when you’re buying flower. The best cannabis has a pungent scent. On the other hand, if you smell any mustiness or a straw-like scent, run away! That cannabis is too old or compromised.

What does the best cannabis flower look like?

The best cannabis flower should have compact, roundish buds that have been trimmed like a beautifully manicured topiary. And you definitely don’t want to see stems or seeds.

#5 Color is Key

People often assume that cannabis should only be green. To some extent, that’s true. But, in addition to green, the best cannabis flower can include a vibrant array of colors. High quality buds can be deep green with orange, red, purple, and even blue hair-like pistils. Colorful pistils tell you that the cannabis was mature when it was harvested. And maturity means full potency. Immature cannabis flower will be more of a lime green.

What does bad cannabis flower look like?

Bad cannabis flower can be grayish, brownish, black, or white. Flower can get discolored for a lot of reasons—including age, mold, chemicals, and a variety of mites. None of these are good. An overall gray or brownish cast probably means that the flower is just old. White or black blisters or spots likely mean pest damage. That’s a common problem with home grows. If you come across discolored and dull cannabis flower, run the other way!

#6 Frosty Flower

Cannabinoids and terpenes are produced in the plant’s resin glands, or trichomes. Trichomes look like tiny, crystallline appendages on the plant’s surface. They can even give it a frosted look. The more trichomes, the more likely that the flower will be potent. So, if you’re looking for potency, frosted flower is a great sign.

#7 Stickiness

Unfortunately, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to touch cannabis flower in the dispensary before you buy it. But when you get home, have a feel. The best cannabis flower will be sticky. t might sound slightly unappealing, but you do want your bud to be sticky to the touch. The stickiness is that cannabinoid-filled resin. But don’t confuse stickiness with wet or overly soft cannabis. A wet or overly soft texture means the flower hasn’t been properly cured. And that makes for a harsh smoke that’s tough on your throat. Worse, excess moisture makes flower prone to mold and mildew

#8 Spongy Texture

The best cannabis flower should be spongy when you squeeze it. But it should still break apart easily. In contrast, bad cannabis flower is one of 2 extremes. It’s either so dry that it crumbles when you touch it. Or it’s so moist that the stems bend and it needs to be torn apart. There’s a happy medium, and you want that Goldilocks effect. It should grind easily but without getting too flaky.

The final step for determining the best cannabis

Of course, the best test of your flower is the experience you have when you ingest it. How does it make you feel? Does it produce a great high and the effects you’re looking for? You’re the final judge. And if at first you don’t succeed, try another strain!

HOUSE RULES

Cannabis Facts: the 53 Terms You Need to Know

Here’s your guide to the most important cannabis facts you need to know to navigate the current culture.
From weed slang to scientific terminology, we’ve got you covered.
So bookmark this page to stay in the know as cannabis facts evolve!

13-minute read

The cannabis FACTS everyone needs to know

We’re constantly learning new cannabis facts. And, especially if you’re new to cannabis, tuning into the lingo can be a challenge. Plus, with legalization opening up whole new avenues of research, we bet that even cannabis OGs will wonder about some of the new ones. In such an evolving landscape, there’s so very much to know. So keep your vocab up-to-the-minute with the following glossary of cannabis facts and weed slang.

420—the cannabis holiday

April 20 is better known as 420 in the cannabis community. Many people see it as a day to light up and celebrate the plant. But, why April 20? One theory is 420 started in the 1970s as code for a cannabis meet up. Every day at 4:20PM, they would gather for a smoke. The ritual spread and was eventually memorialized with widespread homage every April 20th. Regardless of the holiday’s origins, it’s now a day that cannabis lovers look forward to each year.

Blunt

Some people assume a blunt is the same as a joint. While they’re similar, they’re not the same. A blunt is a hollowed out cigar that you fill with cannabis. That means you’re using its tobacco leaf wrap instead of other kinds of traditional rolling papers to house your smoke.

Bowl

In cannabis terms, a bowl is the part of a bong or pipe that holds your cannabis. Pack your bud into your fave pipe or bong, and you’re ready for a fantastic smoke sesh.

Bong—classic weed slang

Bongs are a classic cannabis accessory you’ve probably used or at least have seen—maybe in your college days. They’re water filtration devices for smoking your favorite strain. While they’re bigger and not as portable as other cannabis products, bongs can be useful. Especially when you’re sharing with friends. One thing we love about water bongs is that they can cool your smoke more effectively than other consumption devices. But, we have to admit, we hate cleaning that dirty bong water!

Broad spectrum

There’s so much to know and love about cannabis. One thing is that not all cannabis products are the same. Broad-spectrum cannabis products mean that you’re getting more of the plant’s compounds—not just one active ingredient. You’ll see this a lot with cannabis products. The point of broad spectrum cannabis products is to get the benefits of many of the compounds within the plant, not just a single cannabinoid.

Bud

Bud is the part of the plant that has the cannabinoids in it. It’s not the stem or the seeds. You want to consume the bud, or the flower. The best cannabis is a firm, slightly spongy solid bud that looks like a beautifully trimmed topiary. That’s good bud!

BUDDER/Badder/Batter

Budder, badder, batter. Call it what you want, it’s all the same thing. Budder is one of the most common cannabis concentrates. What differentiates budder from other concentrates is its malleable, cake frosting-like texture. Think of it as the fondant of cannabis. Budder doesn’t always look the same. Its look and texture depend on the extraction method used. Sometimes it’s sticky to the touch. While other budders are more dry and crumbly. But its color will tell you a lot. The brighter yellow it is, the better its quality!

Budtender—a Great source for cannabis facts

Think of a bartender, but in a dispensary. Budtenders are the people serving you at the dispensary. The best budtenders can impart a wealth of knowledge about cannabis facts. The best can be an immense help in choosing which products are the best for you.

Cannabinoids (kUH·naB·uh·noyds)

Have you ever wondered what makes cannabis, well… cannabis? You can thank cannabinoids. They’re the active chemical compounds in the plant, like THC and CBD. In combination with terpenes, they’re what make different strains of cannabis produce various effects. There are 100+ known cannabinoids that naturally occur in the plant.

Cannabis (kaN-Uh-bis)

Cannabis is the plant we all know, love, and appreciate. In weed slang, it’s also known as marijuana, mary jane, and pot. Cannabis is the scientific name for the hemp plant. The cannabis plant is known for its potential health and wellness benefits as well as for the psychoactive effects it creates. Why do we prefer cannabis to the more common ‘marijuana’? Because that term has derogatory connotations that were purposely developed to demonize the plant with race-baiting.

CBD

Short for cannabidiol, CBD is one of the most well-known cannabinoids. It’s fully legal in the US because it’s non-psychotropic. That means CBD isn’t intoxicating. People often use CBD as a sleep aid, for anxiety, pain, and to manage epilepsy. CBD products range from flower and edibles to skincare products and oils. A growing number of people swear by CBD for its potential health and wellness benefits.

CBN—one of the trendiest new cannabis facts

CBN, or cannabinol, is a lesser recognized cannabinoid. It’s only mildly psychoactive and is derived from THC. Back in the late 1800s, CBN was the first cannabis compound to be isolated from cannabis extract. But we’re just starting to learn more about its potential benefits, including its possibilities as a sleep aid.

Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates are just what they sound like. They’re made by concentrating cannabinoids into much higher potencies than occur naturally in the plant. To make concentrates, processors extract THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. The most common concentrates are shatter, crumble, budder, rosin, distillate oils, live resin, and crystalline.

Crutch/crutch card

Unless you’re really into weed slang, you might not know what a crutch, a crutch card, or a tip is. Or maybe you do, just not by name. A crutch is just thick paper card stock that cannabis smokers roll up to use as a filter for their joints. While some cannabis lovers use any card stock that’s laying around (e.g., old business cards, etc.), we recommend only using crutches that are specifically made for smoking. Otherwise, you could be inhaling toxins like ink and acid that are on or used to process the paper. Crutch cards are often sold with rolling papers. We especially like organic hemp crutches/tips.

Dab/Dabbing

Dabbing is a method of cannabis consumption where a “dab” or small amount of cannabis concentrate is heated to create an inhalable vapor. To dab, you need special dabbing accessories. Since cannabis concentrates are much stronger than flower, if you’re new to cannabis culture, start low and go slow to avoid dosing yourself too heavily.

Dispensary

Cannabis culture wouldn’t be what it is without dispensaries. These are stores where you can legally buy cannabis products and accessories. Right now in the US, dispensaries are divided up into medical, adult-use recreational, or a combo of both. Medical dispensaries usually feel more like just the pharmacy part of a drug store—with everything behind the counter. Adult-use recreational dispensaries usually feel more like a regular drugstore, with THC behind the counter and other browsable products in the store. As cannabis culture becomes more normalized, we love all the dispensaries cropping up that feel like high-end boutiques, instead of just Walgreens. Regardless of which style you’re into, at dispensaries you can buy cannabis edibles, topicals, tinctures, and flower. You’ll also find accessories like pipes, rolling papers, and more.

Edibles

To put it simply, edibles are food and drinks that contain cannabis. Brownies are the OG edible. While a good cannabis brownie is still one of our favs, the edibles game has so much more to offer you. From cannabis gummies and chocolates to condiments and drinks, there’s an ideal edible out there for everyone.

Endocannabinoid (en·do·kuh·naB·uh·noyd) system

Let’s enter the scientific realm of cannabis facts for a minute. The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, plays a major role in how cannabis consumption affects the body. We know they didn’t teach you about it in health class (or probably in med school, for that matter). But the ECS is real. It’s a system of receptors throughout your central and peripheral nervous system that helps regulate your bodily functions by adjusting the flow of neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are called endocannabinoids, and they bind to cannabinoid receptors. This binding process is how cannabis interacts internally after consumption to create its effects on you.

Entourage Effect—one of our fave cannabis facts

It takes a bunch of different compounds working in tandem to create the sensations associated with a cannabis ‘high’. As far as we know, THC is the primary cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. But THC isn’t the only compound that contributes to these feelings. The entourage effect is how all the elements in each cannabis strain work synergistically to produce the overall effects of cannabis. Basically, the theory is that the whole of cannabis is more beneficial for you than any of its parts can be separately.

Extract

Cannabis extracts are types of cannabis concentrates. But they’re not exactly the same as concentrates. Extracts are created by using a solvent to concentrate the active compounds while getting rid of the rest. Some of the most common solvents used in extraction include chemicals like propane, ethanol, and CO2. Not to judge, but we’re personally not stoked about ingesting harsh chemicals. Dabbing is the most common way of consuming cannabis extracts.

Flower—elevated weed slang

Another word for bud, flower is the part of the cannabis plant that you consume. It’s the part that includes the trichomes and resin where the bulk of the cannabinoids are produced. So it’s often sticky. In fact, the stickier, the better. Did you know that the flower is also the reproductive part of the plant? Pretty cool, right?

Play Video about Good Cannabis Flower YouTube Still

Full Spectrum

Full-spectrum is about getting all the compounds in cannabis working together in concert—just like nature intended. Cannabis products that are full-spectrum contain all of the naturally existing cannabinoids in the plant. The theory is that all of these compounds work better together. So when you consume full-spectrum cannabis products, you’re getting benefits from all the compounds, not just one cannabinoid or another. To get the most out of your cannabis consumption, give full-spectrum cannabis products a try.

Grinder

A good grinder is a wonderful tool for anyone who smokes cannabis or makes homemade edibles. Just as the name implies, a grinder is a tool for grinding cannabis flower to prepare it for the most efficient consumption. Did you know that you should use a coarser grind for edibles and a finer grind for smoking? Also, if you don’t own a grinder, you can use common kitchen tools to achieve a similar effect.

Hash—one of the most ancient cannabis facts

Hash—short for hashish—is the waxy product formed when you concentrate the resin glands, or trichomes, of a cannabis plant into a solid. Hash often contains plant material, but the terpenes are what give this concentrate its distinct taste. You can smoke hash in a pipe or a bong. Or you can add it to your joint or edibles to boost your high. The history of hash dates back thousands of years, with its roots tied to the cultures in Morocco, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.

Hemp—one of the most misunderstood cannabis facts

The English name for the cannabis plant is hemp. But, in the US, the term is more commonly used to refer to industrial hemp. That’s cannabis that contains less than 0.3% THC and, consequently, isn’t psychotropic. Most CBD products are made from industrial hemp. Prior to hemp’s demonization in the early 20th century, it was a major crop with an enormous variety of uses—both within and outside traditional cannabis culture. Hemp and its seeds are used to make plant-based milk alternatives, used as a protein source, for jewelry making, and for hemp oil. Historically, hemp has been used to make rope, textiles, paper, and other commercial items. New technology is leveraging hemp for use in environmentally friendly building materials, packaging, and even in cleaning up toxic waste sites!

High

The weed slang that describes the euphoric state of being under the influence of cannabis. THC is the primary compound that produces a psychotropic high. Unlike the buzz you get from alcohol, a cannabis high can vary tremendously depending on the strain of cannabis you consume. So you can choose what kind of high you want. It can be more cerebral, more bodily, more energetic, or more relaxing—just to name a few!

Hybrids

Generally speaking, a hybrid is something that’s a mix or combination of 2 things. A hybrid is a strain that is a cross between an indica and a sativa. Some are an equal combo of both, while others can be dominant in sativa or indica. Hybrids are often created to combine the desirable effects of 2 different strains.

Indica (in·di·kuh)

You might already know this, but there are different species of the cannabis plant. Each varietal has its own distinct features. The main 2 cannabis varietals are indica and sativa. Indica originates from the Middle East and is indigenous to countries like Afghanistan, Tibet, and Pakistan. Although the science is now nuancing this distinction, indicas have typically been touted as having calming and more bodily effects. But this is one of those cannabis facts that new research is challenging. We’re learning now that terpenes also have a lot to do with how each strain will affect you.

Joint

Sometimes called cannabis cigarettes, joints are a popular method of consuming cannabis. Traditionally hand rolled, you can create a joint with just rolling papers and cannabis—but we like to add a filter. You can also now buy pre-rolled joints that come ready to light almost anywhere.

Kief

Kief is a powder made by shaking the crystallized trichomes off cured cannabis flower. The crystallized trichomes are where the cannabinoids are. Kief contains higher concentrations of THC because everything other than the trichomes are sifted out with a mesh strainer. So you can add kief to your cannabis if you want a more intense high.

Marijuana—the weed slang we’d most like to ditch

In American cannabis culture, marijuana is the most common weed slang for cannabis. When most people use this word, they intend it to mean the same thing as any other synonym for cannabis. But we’re not fans because its origins are pejorative. The term was coined in the early 20th century by propagandists who used it to suggest that Black and brown Americans were dangerous.

Medical cannabis

The US has divided cannabis use into two primary categories: medical and recreational adult use. For medical cannabis use, states require patients to be certified by a health professional as needing cannabis for medical treatment. Most states define specific conditions that patients must have to receive treatment with cannabis. More research on the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis use needs to be done, but it’s often used to help manage pain, anxiety, and nausea.

Munchies—cannabis facts at their cutest

If you don’t know anything other cannabis facts, you’ve probably still heard of the munchies. Munchies are an increase in appetite that can stem from cannabis consumption. Not all cannabis strains will increase your appetite. But the ones that do are excellent treatments for loss of appetite due to things like chemotherapy and wasting diseases.

One-hitter

Perfect for when you want a smoke, but don’t want to smoke too much. Of course, we’re biased, but our House of Puff Le Pipe is our fav one-hitter! These slender pipes pack just enough for one or two hits when that’s all you’re looking for or you don’t feel like rolling a joint.

Pipe

Pipes are a basic cannabis accessory for smoking. They come in lots of different shapes and sizes. Since they’re often small, they’re easy to use on the go or keep with your stash.

Recreational Adult-Use cannabis

The legalization of recreational adult-use cannabis is spreading across the US. Recreational use is cannabis consumption for personal enjoyment, rather than strictly for medical purposes. And that is as old as time itself. In states where recreational adult use is legal, you must be at least 21 to legally buy and consume cannabis.

Rolling papers—cannabis facts 101

To roll your own joints, you’ll need rolling papers. These are thin papers, specifically made for joints. Most rolling papers are made from materials like rice, hemp, or wood pulp.

Rolling tray

A fantastic cannabis accessory, rolling trays are designed to make rolling joints easier. Whether you’re a newbie or an aficionado, rolling trays are a joint’s best friend. The unique design of House of Puff’s Nebula Rolling Tray was inspired by the rolling trays found in Amsterdam coffee shops. A good rolling tray keeps your cannabis in one place—preferably in the middle of your rolling papers!

Sativa (Suh·TEE-Vuh)

Sativa strains are derived from sativa plants, one of the main varietals of the cannabis plant. They’ve long been touted in cannabis culture as having more energizing, uplifting effects than indica strains. But the science is evolving on this. So this is another one of those cannabis facts that’s being nuanced. We now know that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes influence the effects of the strain more than just whether it’s a sativa or an indica.

Sesh—fashionable weed slang

We love a good smoke sesh. That’s fashionable weed slang for a smoking session or a time when you consume cannabis. People usually light up during a smoke sesh. But, if smoking’s not your jam, you can always pop an edible. A solo smoke sesh is great for decompressing at night. It’s also always fun to have a chill smoke sesh with a group of friends.

Shatter

Shatter is a cannabis concentrate that’s usually brittle and transparent. It gets its name because it breaks or shatters like glass. Shatter is one of the most common concentrates and easy to find. It gained popularity initially because it has high THC content, usually upwards of 80%. To consume shatter, you’ll need to dab or vape it.

Stash

Back to the basics of weed slang, anyone who consumes cannabis has a stash. A stash is your collection of cannabis products and accessories.

Strain

Cannabis strains are unique genetic varieties of cannabis. New strains are made by breeding two already existing strains. This is often done to create strains that will provide a combination of the desirable effects of those strains in one. All strains are unique and produce slightly-to-very different effects. Some strains are best for unwinding after a long day of work. Others are the perfect energizing pick-me-up to get you through the day. When you go to buy flower, you’ll likely see strains categorized as sativas, indicas, and hybrids.

Terpenes: one of the most important new cannabis facts

Terpenes are the compounds in every plant that give them their distinctive smells, tastes, and effects. For instance, citrus terpenes are used in a massive amount of everyday consumer products from soap to air freshener because of their energizing effects on us humans. In cannabis, we’re discovering more and more that terpenes work in tandem with cannabinoids. Terpenes may also have health and wellness benefits as well. In cannabis culture, we think of terpenes as being a vital part of cannabis education and consumption.

THC

Short for tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. So, what does this mean? THC is the most common cannabinoid found in cannabis. It also happens to be the compound that causes the psychoactive high associated with cannabis. There’s different kinds of THC. However, THC usually refers to the Delta-9-THC isomer.

Tip

In weed slang, a tip can be one of two following things:

Filter (see Crutch)

Some people use the term tip to refer to the filter that you put in your joint to keep the cannabis smoke you’re ingesting as pure as possible. You might also hear people refer to what they make their joint filters from as a ‘crutch’. In this sense, a tip is just thick paper card stock that cannabis smokers roll up to use as a filter for their joints. Just be careful about what you use as a tip. We prefer organic hemp tips made specifically for smoking cannabis because we don’t want to inhale toxins that might be in other card stock—like ink or acid.

Joint Holder

Joint holders are one of the most stylish cannabis accessories for enhancing your smoke. And some people call them tips. A joint holder, or tip, isn’t just fancy. They also serve several practical purposes. Joint holders help cool your smoke before it reaches your throat. They keep your fingers from burning. And a good holder keeps ashes from getting on your Chanel.

Tincture

Tinctures are a liquid form of cannabis that can be taken sublingually or used topically. They normally come in eyedropper bottles. If you’re familiar with other herbal tinctures, you’ll know that they’re most often prepared in an alcohol base. But cannabis is fat-soluble. So the body absorbs it more efficiently when it’s paired with oil or butter. Consequently, most cannabis tinctures have an oil base—most common MCT, a liquid form of coconut oil

Topical

Topicals are cannabis products in the form of lotions, salves, balms, and oils. They’re most often used for pain relief. But more and more topicals are popping up on the market solely for skincare.

Trichome (tri·kohm)—The technical cannabis fact you should know

Trichomes are the resin-producing structures on the cannabis leaf. They look like little hairs, and trichomes contain the most cannabinoids in the plant.

Vape/Vaping

Vaping, in cannabis terms, can be 2 different things. Most people associate it with inhaling the vapor from burning liquid cannabis concentrates, sometimes with additional flavoring added. They’re like e-cigarettes. But there are also dry herb vaporizers. These heat, instead of burn, cannabis flower. Vapes are made up of a battery, a cartridge for the liquid or dry herb, and a heating component. They come in different shapes and sizes. But they’re largely small and compact. So they’re easy to carry around.

Weed

Weed is one of the most popular slang terms for cannabis. Weed was first used in the early 1910s, but the term didn’t become ubiquitous until much later in the century. In the 1990s, there was a resurgence of older slang terms, as well as the birth of new ones. During that time, weed became a popular word for referencing cannabis.

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Everything You Need to Know About Terpenes

Terpenes are the compounds in cannabis that give each strain their distinct smell and taste.
Research suggests that terpenes, along with cannabinoids like THC and CBD, might also play a role in the effects of cannabis.
Our glossary includes the terpenes that are most commonly found in cannabis.

7-minute read

What are terpenes?

If you’ve consumed cannabis, you’ve probably noticed that each strain smells and tastes at least a little different. Some have earthier scents. Others are more citrusy or piney. What your nose is picking up on is the smells of the predominant terpenes found in each strain. These chemical compounds are in all plants. The mix of terpenes creates each plant’s distinct flavors and smells. That’s called a plant’s terpene profile.

There’s more to terpenes than just their scent and taste

But aside from their scents, research suggests that they might contribute more to your smoke sesh than you might realize. Like cannabinoids, terpenes may help determine the potential effects of cannabis. Research on cannabis terpenes is still in its infancy. But some of it shows the possibility of promising benefits they might provide, and many of us find that certain terpene profiles affect us in predictable ways. For example, linalool seems to aid in restful sleep and with soothing anxiety. Limonene also seems to inhibit cytokines, which trigger inflammation.

Why it helps to know terpene profiles

When you know the terpene profile of the cannabis products you consume, it could help you understand how each specific strain might affect you. The more information you have about the health and wellness benefits that could be linked to certain terpenes, the better. When you understand a strain’s terpene profile, you can make more informed choices about the cannabis you buy.

How do terpenes Affect you?

Unlike cannabinoids, terpenes won’t make you high. But they do affect the brain. So they’re considered psychoactive. That’s why so many cleaning products include scents like citrus or lavender. The bright scent of lemon or grapefruit invigorates most of us. Similarly, most of us find the scent of lavender calming. Just like that, cannabis experts believe that terpenes combine with cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, to make some strains more energizing and others more relaxing.

The entourage effect

Research suggests that together—terpenes, cannabinoids, and the many other compounds in cannabis—interact to create what’s called the entourage effect. In the most simple terms, the entourage effect is the hypothesis that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In other words, the full spectrum of the compounds in cannabis work interactively together to to produce the effects of consuming cannabis. The entourage effect aligns with current research about the effects of terpenes. This suggests that the terpenes in cannabis may be just as important as the cannabinoids.

The most common terpenes

Science tells us that there are about 400 terpenes in cannabis. So far, though, experts have only linked a few of them to specific effects. To help you choose the best cannabis strains for you, here’s a glossary of the most common cannabis terpenes and their potential effects.

Myrcene—the earthy terpene

Myrcene (mər–sēn) is an earthy terpene that can include herbaceous, musky, and even spicy scents. But we most associate this terpene with mangoes. It’s also predominant in hops, lemongrass, and eucalyptus. But cannabis strains with a lot of myrcene tend to have a mildly sweet flavor profile.

Potential Benefits of myrcene

Myrcene seems to have calming properties. Typically, it’s found in cannabis strains that seem to have soothing effects. According to a 2015 study, this terpene may also offer anti-inflammatory benefits. This study suggests that myrcene may have the ability to effectively reduce inflammation in conditions like osteoarthritis. The same study revealed that myrcene might also slow the progression of this disease by decreasing the production of some inflammatory cells. Based on this realm of research, myrcene could potentially be used to alleviate the symptoms of other inflammatory conditions as well.

Limonene—the citrusy terpene

Limonene (li-mə-nēn) is one of the most common terpenes in cannabis. You’ll know it by its citrusy aroma. Due to its potential therapeutic benefits, limonene is a popular terpene. It’s the one that’s in lemons, too. But, did you know the highest concentration of limonene is actually found in orange rinds? Its bright, citrusy scent is widely recognized as uplifting.

Potential Benefits of limonene

Because of its world renowned propensity to be uplifting, some cannabis consumers consume limonene-rich strains to relieve anxiety. Studies have shown that the inhalation of limonene reduces anxiety symptoms in mice by increasing serotonin and dopamine levels. Other scientific studies look at how limonene could also function as an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that limonene could improve digestive and heart health. Of course, we’re still waiting for more scientific studies to validate these benefits.

Linalool—a floral terpene

If you love lavender and lilac as much as we do, you already know the sweet, floral scent of linalool (lə-na-lə-wȯl). Linalool isn’t usually the dominant terpene in cannabis. Instead, it usually supports other, more dominant ones.

Potential Benefits of linalool

The soothing scent of linalool isn’t its only potential benefit. Although it’s a pretty nice one. One study exposed mice to linalool vapors, and the subjects exhibited reduced stress levels and depression-like behaviors. Linalool could also make the immune system more resistant to the destructive physical effects of stress. The same study suggests that it’s possible that linalool might relieve pain and relax muscles.

Pinene—the piney terpene

As you might guess, pinene (pī-nēn) is the terpene commonly found in pine trees. It’s also abundant in cannabis. Pinene is an earthy, rich terpene. Aside from cannabis, pinene is present in tea tree oil, ginger, sage, eucalyptus oil, and more plants.

Potential Benefits of pinene

Like many cannabis terpenes, pinene might have anti-inflammatory properties. One 2014 study confirmed this property by looking at the anti-inflammatory effects of pinene on human chondrocytes. Those are the cells in the body that produce cartilage. Other studies suggest pinene might also have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects. Due to these potential benefits, pinene might be useful in treating conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Certain properties of the terpene may actually be able to help slow or prevent the development and progression of neurological diseases.

Caryophyllene—the spicy terpene

If your flower smells spicy or peppery, it’s probably got some caryophyllene (car·y·o·phyl·lene). Of the most common terpenes, caryophyllene is also in plants like cloves, oregano, and rosemary. What makes caryophyllene unique is that it’s the only terpene found in cannabis that’s known to bind to the CB2 receptor, just like a cannabinoid. Your CB2 receptors are in your body’s immune system.

Benefits of caryophyllene

Caryophyllene’s ability to bind to the CB2 receptor suggests that this terpene might be another that could help treat inflammation. CB2 receptors are one of the main cannabinoid receptors in the human body.They’re most commonly found on immune cells. That explains why caryophyllene may have so many potential immune-related benefits. Research to date shows that caryophyllene might have the potential to ease the symptoms of a wide variety of conditions. These include diabetes, colitis, liver fibrosis, and Alzheimer’s-like conditions. But, again, we need more science to confirm how effective caryophyllene might be.

Nerolidol—a floral terpene

Aromatic plants like jasmine, lemongrass, and tea tree can thank the terpene nerolidol (ne-rȯlə-dȯl) for their gorgeous scents. With its floral and citrusy notes, you can find it in loads of detergents, perfumes, and shampoos. Nerolidol is also widely used as a food flavoring agent.

Potential benefits of nerolidol

Along with its lovely aroma, nerolidol may have therapeutic benefits. Scientific studies suggest that nerolidol might have antioxidant and antibiotic properties. The same research shows that nerolidol might also exhibit anti-biofilm and antifungal properties as well as serve to repel insects. While these findings are exciting, more research still needs to be done to fully understand any potential health and wellness benefits from nerolidol.

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Why You Should be Using a Joint Holder

House of Puff’s Soho Holder is made to enhance your smoke.
Joint holders are both stylish and practical smoking accessories.
Women have been using cigarette holders since the early 20th century.
Joint holders cool your smoke before it hits your throat, keep you from burning your fingers, and to keep ash from getting on your clothes.

5-minute read

Why should you be using a joint holder?

Joint holders add undeniable style to your smoke. They make your sesh as sophisticated as you are. But a good joint holder is much more than an accessory. It safeguards your throat, fingers, makeup, and clothes. It also helps you make the most of your stash. With all that going for it, a beautiful joint holder is a must. They’re the perfect addition to your stash bag. Move over Holly Golightly—we can all be ready for breakfast at Tiffany’s now!

WHY IS A JOINT HOLDER GOOD FOR YOUR LIP GLOSS?

The story of House of Puff’s joint holders began with a Pat McGrath Lust Gloss. One night, House of Puff’s founder, Kristina Lopez Adduci, was getting ready to go out. She created a gorgeous pouty lip in Pat McGrath’s Aphrodisiac Lust Gloss—a to-die-for rose. Feeling herself, she got dressed and lit up a pre-party personality joint. A few puffs in and she felt fantastic…until she realized that little bits of rolling paper had stuck to her beautifully lined and glossed lips. Yuck. Not only did she have to completely redo her lips, but her joint had wilted into a soggy mess.

A modern JOINT holder

Enter the Soho Holder, House of Puff’s hand-blown glass joint holder. Not a foot-long flapper prop, this new holder is just over 2 inches long and was hand-crafted by an artist in California. Each hand-blown glass joint holder is a one-of-a-kind work of art made to enhance your smoking experience. And it’s specifically made to accommodate different joint sizes. You can smoke out of either end. A slimmer joint fits in one end, and a thicker one in the other. Best of all, when you use this holder, there’s no more contact between your lips and your rolling papers. Your joint stays nice and firm, and your lips stay picture perfect. But there’s much more!

How does a joint holder affect your smoke?

There are times when we all want the immediate onset of cannabis that you can only get from inhaling it. But that can be hard if you’re cursed with a Victorian throat. You know who you are. Every time you take a puff, your throat burns and you cough uncontrollably. After years of hacking your head off every time you join the puff-puff-pass ritual, you might’ve even given up smoking entirely in favor of edibles. A joint holder can help.

Why is a joint holder the best for a smooth smoke?

Don’t get us wrong, we love edibles. But sometimes, you want the instant high of getting those cannabinoids directly into your bloodstream. If you’re like us, you might’ve used a bong in your college days. But bongs can be messy. Plus, let’s face it, 99% of them make you feel like you’re back in your dorm room. A one hitter could work for you. The length of it can give your smoke time to cool. But one hitters don’t have the filtration a joint can offer. Instead, smoking a filtered joint through a glass holder can give you the best of both worlds. This combo means a smoother, cleaner smoke that babies your delicate throat. You get the combined benefits of the joint’s filter and the cooling that results from the extended time that the smoke spends in the holder.

HOW DOES A JOINT HOLDER WORK?

Joint holders work with whatever kind of joint you’re into. Whether you enjoy rolling your own or the ease of a pre-rolled cone. Simply insert your joint into the holder, light up, and enjoy smoother, fuller hits.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A JOINT HOLDER?

By cooling the smoke before it gets to your throat, a joint holder eliminates the harshness of your hit. That, in turn, reduces coughing and the possibility of an irritated throat. Instead you get smooth, full hits that are easier to inhale. Plus, as Kristina’s joint-meets-lip-gloss travesty illustrates, putting your lips directly on a joint can wilt it with moisture. That can happen even when your lips are au naturale. But the problem with a soggy joint filter goes beyond simple annoyance. It can restrict the airflow you need to take a good hit and to keep your joint lit and burning evenly. Finally, using a joint holder allows you to easily smoke your entire roll with no burned fingers or lips—no fuss, no muss.

WHY DID WOMEN START USING CIGARETTE HOLDERS?

Besides enjoying the sophistication of the accessory, women in the early 20th century started using cigarette holders for practical reasons, too. Back then, it wasn’t the thing for women to wear smoking jackets. So the extended length of a cigarette holder kept ash away from their clothes and smoke out from underneath their hats. Their cigarette holders also cooled their smoke before they inhaled it. And, of course, they kept cigarette paper from sticking to or tearing on their lips.

Cigarette Holders are still a sophisticated accessory

Fashion might have changed in the last 100 years, but the benefits of using a cigarette holder haven’t. Considering the hotter burn of cannabis, that goes double for when you’re smoking a joint instead of a cigarette. The length of the holder mellows your hit while keeping ash off your Dior and smoke out of your eyes. That means your eyeliner stays picture perfect, too—right down to the very last puff at the filter end of your joint.

WHY A GLASS JOINT HOLDER?

Unlike paper, plastic, wood, metal, or silicone, glass preserves flavors. So if you’re loving those flavorful terpenes, a glass joint holder is just the ticket to fully enjoy the taste of your favorite strain.

HOW TO CLEAN A GLASS JOINT HOLDER

Simply soak your glass joint holder for approximately 15 minutes in an everyday cleaning product like rubbing alcohol or your glass cleaner of choice. You might need a longer soak time to get rid of stubborn resin build up. For quick spot treatments, wipe clean using an alcohol-soaked cotton swab. For smoother hits and the best flavor, clean your glass joint holder frequently.

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Binge Watch with These Best Strains

Here’s our picks for the best strain to pair with each of our 6 favorite shows featuring strong women characters.
From classics like Thelma and Louise to new hits like Yellowjackets, there’s something for everyone to love.
The best strain for each will help you enjoy your screen time even more.

7-minute read

Our Picks for the Best Strain to Pair with shows about women

In 2022, there are more ways than ever to consume great content. For Women’s History Month, here are our picks for the best strain to pair with content that features strong women leads. From OGs, like The Devil Wears Prada, to the latest hits, like Watchmen, we love them all. No matter if they’re escapist or sentimental, there’s a cannabis strain that will enhance them. So sit back, relax, and heighten your viewing enjoyment with these perfect pairings.

Best Strain for Killing Eve

Killing Eve explores the interaction of three fierce women. We’re obsessed! The 4th and final season (sigh) of this witty whirlwind by Phoebe Waller-Bridge is airing now. Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) is a savvy British intelligence officer who dreams of being a spy. Villanelle, played brilliantly by Jodie Comer, is a charismatic assassin with a serious flare for fashion. Fiona Shaw rounds out our trio as Eve’s morally ambiguous boss. When she tasks Eve with capturing Villanelle, she rescues her from endless days of unfulfilling analysis. But Eve and Villanelle quickly develop a mutual obsession—by turns murderous and moonstruck. Always visually stunning and never predictable, this is binge-watching at its finest.

Killer Queen Effects

Characters as complex as those served up by Waller-Bridge deserve a very special strain. Killer Queen is the best strain for this type of show for more than its name. Villanelle is quite literally a killer queen. The strain itself is an energizing, uplifting, and thought-provoking hybrid. It has more of a tropical flavor and earthy, herbal tones. For a strain that will give you the energy you need to focus, Killer Queen is the best. To watch a show like Killing Eve, you’ll want to feel energized and engaged.

Best Strain for Thelma and Louise

For this classic, you’re gonna want to grab your bestie and some popcorn. You may not be able to road trip with this iconic duo, but BC RoadKill is one of the best strains to get you traveling along with this intense, car-chase-filled flick. In Thelma and Louise, best friends (Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon) ditch the drudgery of their daily lives to hit the road together. But a simple weekend escape quickly morphs into a life-and-death run from the police caused by a flirtation turned bad. And these two take that to the extreme. This classic is complete with supporting turns from Harvey Keitel and the scene-stealing performance that turned Brad Pitt into a star. When it was released, back in 1991, it caused a firestorm of cultural fury over how the two women leads took full control of their lives. Watch it now and marvel at how far we’ve come!

BC Roadkill Effects

BC Roadkill is a hybrid strain known for its energizing and euphoric high. For a fast-paced, action and adventure film like Thelma and Louise, you’ll want this kind of uplifting strain. It’s one of the best strains for getting in a giggly mood. So it’ll keep your spirits up even when our heroines are in the tightest spots. Don’t let the name of this strain deter you. While it’s known to have a skunky aroma, its effects are anything but stinky. People find that BC Roadkill is one of the best strains for a relaxing, trance-like high.

Best Strain for Yellowjackets

If you haven’t gotten around to streaming Yellowjackets yet, hold onto your pipe and grab your Honey Banana. Warning: this series is highly addictive! This psychological thriller/coming-of-age drama took 2021 by storm. How’s this for a hook? A plane carrying a high school soccer team crashes deep in the Canadian wilderness. The timeline shifts back and forth between the secrets of the surviving women and the depravity they descended into in order to make it out of the woods alive (in a word, cannibalism). The series is a tour de force of intense performances by the likes of Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Tawny Cypress, and Melanie Lynskey. Get ready for a deliciously sinister tale of their days in the wilderness and the scars they still bear from it 25 years later.

Honey Banana Effects

Although this series is anything but saccharine, Honey Banana is definitely the best strain for watching Yellowjackets. While it’s known for being sweet, it’s still got that sting! The flower, itself, can be sticky to the touch like honey, too. Some people report that this hybrid also smells distinctly of banana. Honey Banana can cause a full-body invigorating buzz and feelings of cerebral euphoria. It’s the ideal high for a guilty pleasure like Yellowjackets—euphoric, uplifting, and relaxing. It’s also one of the best strains if you’re looking for cannabis with psychotropic effects. It’ll keep you relaxed even while the hatchet falls.

Best Strain for A League of Their Own

You’ve probably seen A League of Their Own at least once. So you already know that our heroines are the champion Peaches. This 1992 classic shares the story of powerful women seizing their chance to earn a living as professional athletes during World War II. When most men were drafted, women were finally free to fill “masculine” roles—including baseball. The film’s killer ensemble includes Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell, and a rare anti-hero from Tom Hanks. With heart and humor, the film explores how women conquer societal obstacles and achieve their full potential. Get ready to be inspired by feminine power, and perseverance.

Peaches and Cream Effects

The best strain to pair with a film that epitomizes feminine strength, is one that heightens emotions. Peaches and Cream is our strain of choice, and not just because of its name. This strain is fruity, but also spicy. Like our heroines on the Peaches, it might be sweet, but it packs a punch. Peaches and Cream is fantastic for an energizing pick-me-up anytime.

The Best Strain for Watchmen

HBO’s Watchmen is loosely inspired by the DC Comics graphic novel. The second season is supposed to drop soon. So it’s the perfect time to get caught up on the first. Watchmen is set in an alternate history in which the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre spawned massive societal change. That includes police officers, like our badass heroine, Regina King, who mask their identities to safeguard themselves, their families, and society at large. Meanwhile, evil geniuses compete for control of the world through fantastical technology. And superhero, Vision, seems to have left us to our own devices while racial tensions rise again. The plot’s driven by a white supremacist terrorist group trying to get their hands on a diary that holds the full truth of what happened in Tulsa.

Justice Joints Effects

We chose Justice Joints because, like Watchmen, they focus on the fraught racial history of the US. Justice Joints donates all their profits to Cannabis for Black Lives. This coalition works to support Black-owned businesses in the cannabis industry to make it a more fair and equitable industry. The strain in these joints is Miracle Alien Cookies. Justice Joints are also our pick of the best strain for Watchmen because it’s a hybrid that produces creative, happy, and uplifting effects. It creates the perfect mood for fantasy viewing.

The Best Strain for The Devil Wears Prada

Who doesn’t love the cult classic, The Devil Wears Prada? First of all, it stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and a hilarious Emily Blunt in her breakout performance. The movie follows idealistic nerd, Andie (Hathaway). Without appreciating the enormous opportunity, she lands a job assisting the most powerful woman in fashion. Of course, the film is based on the salacious bestseller written by one of Anna Wintour’s former assistants. And it’s chock full of fabulous fashion. While thoroughly entertaining, the film also explores the tough decisions women have to make as they navigate how to get ahead.

Blue Cheese Effects

For our money, Blue Cheese is the best strain to pair with such an iconic movie. The name references one of our favorite lines from Blunt’s acerbic character. She says, “For Paris, I’m on this new diet. Well, I don’t eat anything…and when I feel like I’m about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese.” Unlike Blunt’s character, though, this strain is both savory and sweet. It smells of berries and blue cheese. It’s best known for its relaxing and calming effects. The Devil Wears Prada is one of those great films you can watch over and over again. We like to queue it up to wind down at the end of the day. We think Blue Cheese is one of the best strains to induce relaxation without making you too sleepy.

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Cannabis Curious? Here’s How to Get Started with Cannabis and Wellness

Canna-curious but still canna-nervous? We’ve got you covered

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9 Secrets for Elevating Your Smoke Sesh

If you’re new to cannabis and missing a grinder, don’t despair. We caught up with Laura OG of SMK BRK to learn the tricks she’s perfected during quarantine for repurposing common household items as cannabis products.

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Cannabis for Pain: An M.D.’s Advice

Many of us have ditched Big Pharma drugs in favor of more natural health and wellness treatments. One of the most common is using cannabis for pain—especially chronic pain. We’re finding that cannabis and CBD products can be as effective as prescription medications in treating chronic pain. But minus the side effects. Women, especially, have traded in their Advil for CBD tinctures, salves, and prerolls. With legalization spreading across the country, old taboos around cannabis are diminishing. More importantly, doctors can now incorporate cannabis into their arsenal of treatments. That’s Dr. June Chin’s specialty. We sat down with Dr. Chin to get the facts about how cannabis can alleviate chronic pain. Here’s what you need to know.

You’re an expert in the prescription of cannabis for pain—how did you get into this speciality?

As a teenager, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AS is a progressive type of arthritis that affects the spine, pelvis, hips, and back. This disease causes extreme stiffness and nerve pain. I spent my younger years trying conventional treatments. That included epidurals, narcotics, muscle relaxants, acupuncture, and physical therapy. But the pain was unrelenting. By the time I got to medical school in San Francisco, I was having difficulty standing for long periods in the operating room. One of the attending physicians saw this and asked me about it. I told him I had AS. I explained that I couldn’t take the meds I needed for relief. they made me drowsy and foggy while doing rounds or attending a 4-hour hip-replacement surgery.

Turning to less conventional pain relief treatments

Here I was in a hospital, surrounded by great medical minds. But I was disheartened to find nothing that could help my condition. The attending physician and my mentor, Dr. Levine, pulled me aside and handed me a little brown dropper bottle.

CBD oil for pain

He didn’t call it CBD oil. He just said it was a different type of cannabis plant. I was mortified but desperate. As a medical student, my first thoughts were dire. “You’re offering me pot? You want to make me a drug addict?” I grew up in the Bronx, and there was a huge social stigma around marijuana. Kids who smoked weed were either dropouts or involved in gangs. I also grew up in a very traditional Chinese household. My parents believed in Reefer Madness—the false propaganda that weed led to psychosis and schizophrenia. The tincture Dr. Levine handed me smelled like a combination of alcohol, wet dog, and grass. I didn’t know what to think. But, to my amazement, it worked very well. The pain and inflammation of my arthritis decreased dramatically. My AS stopped progressing, and my health improved.

Forming a more positive relationship with the plant

Even though California legalized medical cannabis in 1996, I didn’t dare tell anyone I was using it. I was a young physician. I didn’t want to jeopardize my career. But once I got my health back, I decided to learn more about cannabis. I started to investigate how it helps manage pain and improve people’s overall health and wellness.

Why do you do what you do?

Having suffered in pain for so long. I know what it feels like to tell your doctor, “I’ve tried everything, and nothing has helped.” Now, I’ve been helping patients integrate medical cannabis into their health and wellness for over a decade. Cannabis changed the trajectory of my life. Had it not been for cannabis treatment, I wouldn’t have been able to finish medical school and become a doctor. I had an educational advantage because I did my medical school training in California. The state legalized medical cannabis back in 1996. I was in the middle of a switch box and was able to engineer my circumstances to learn holistic, integrative cannabis medicine.

What’s different about using cannabis for pain?

In medical school, there is “this is how we’ve always done it” syndrome. That’s the conventional, allopathic medicine model. But how did we come to believe that prescription medication is the only or most effective way to treat disease? That’s a reductive approach. In medical school, we’re trained to find what’s bad in your body and get rid of it. This is only part of the puzzle. We often get locked into this one-size-fits-all thinking. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment when it comes to using cannabis for pain management. Throughout history, botanical remedies have been a mainstay of folk medicine in many cultures. Phytocannabinoid medicine is on that list.

How has using cannabis for pain been a game changer for you?

I’m a chronic pain survivor. As a result of my experience, I decided to dedicate my medical career to finding effective, integrative, and holistic approaches to patient care. To reach the best outcome, my patient and I form a therapeutic alliance and inform each other. My goal as a physician is to help patients reach their optimum health. We do that through prevention and proper nutrition. It’s always done with support, empowerment, and education. The medical cannabis movement should be a wake-up call to our current healthcare system. That system is very poor at addressing how to prevent disease.

What tips can you share for anyone looking to start using cannabis for pain management?

Over the last 15 years, my medical cannabis career has been based on anecdotal and clinically-applied evidence. I help patients integrate medical cannabis into the context of a full-scope general and holistic medical practice. Cannabis is an empowering medicine. The plant is unique. There’s no precedent for it. There’s no other drug in the world that we’re using both recreationally as well as for therapeutic uses. The historical record for the safe use of cannabis is also unparalleled.

Where does cannabis fit into the future of medicine?

The future is preventative medicine. There’s a whole universe of regenerative medicine, nutritional medicine, and preventative medicine. Those models entail creating health from the ground up. That includes medicinal cannabis. And that’s teaching us all to rethink medicine. There are so many new ways we can treat, heal from, and even prevent disease altogether.

The first step in your journey of using cannabis for pain

Find a health professional who resonates with you. Find an M.D. who’s your partner in health and healing. Don’t go with someone you’re intimidated by and can’t speak openly with. I’m convinced that health coaches, nutritionists, and allied healthcare providers will play just as big a role as doctors and other licensed clinicians in ushering in the future of medicine. Find the right health practitioner for you!

How does dosing work—especially for women?

1 out of 4 women in America today take a psychiatric medication. That’s compared with 1 in 7 men. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to receive a diagnosis of depression or an anxiety disorder. Pharmaceuticals improve the lives of many women. But for others, they aren’t necessary. Or they can cause side effects as bad as the underlying condition. The increase in prescriptions for psychiatric medications, often by doctors in other specialties, is creating a generation of overly medicated women. It makes me wonder if women are making decisions based on sound medicine. Or are they responding to peer pressure or advertising?

Right now, antidepressants are used in the clinical management of anxiety disorders, chronic pain, and even menopausal hot flashes. That’s insane. Also, when a prescription is written for every individual symptom, basic connections are overlooked. For example, more than 90% of depressed patients complain about difficulties falling asleep, sleep disruption, or early morning awakenings. Sleep disruption and depression are closely linked. ¾ of depressed patients also suffer from insomnia symptoms. But one pill for each symptom clouds these obvious links.

More women are turning to cannabis

Women, as a group, know they’re being overmedicated. Many are finding ways to wean themselves off. In 2018, the cannabis delivery service, Eaze, reported that the number of women buying cannabis products from them almost doubled. And, according to Brightfield Group, women now make up 51% of all U.S. cannabis consumers.

Cannabis helps women with more than chronic pain

Net net: cannabis can be effective in addressing myriad female-specific physical and mental health issues. That includes chronic and acute conditions. You can also use cannabis to optimize overall feelings of well-being. The plant can provide beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes. Each of these can have a positive impact on women’s health. Microdosing at various times throughout the day is helpful for women to get ahead of their chronic pain. But the right ratio of cannabinoids is key, too.

Can you share any rules of thumb for using different forms of cannabis?

We have to ask, “What are your goals?” Do you need it to be fast acting? Do you need a sustained, slow release? Or immediate localized muscle relief? This dictates what form factors (e.g., flower, topicals, concentrates, etc.) you should start experimenting with. Then use a combo of various form factors to meet your specific pain relief needs.

What are your personal go-to strains for pain in the a.M. and p.m.?

I like Cannatonic for day and Blue Dream at night.

How does the use of cannabis for pain management in women differ from treating chronic pain in men?

Because of the female hormone, estrogen, women are more sensitive to the effects of chemical compounds. In cannabis, that includes both cannabinoids and terpenes. But that’s particularly true of THC. As women, we go through several distinct physiological changes during our lifetime. Those stages drastically alter the amount of estrogen in our systems. Understanding how cannabis can play a part in regulating hormonal flux and easing these transitions can be a health and wellness revelation for women.

Do you have any advice for women who are concerned about cannabis stigma?

For many decades, my parents were against my career as a medical cannabis physician. In Asian American culture, there’s always fear around the cannabis plant. Cannabis is considered the worst drug in Asian communities. That’s because cannabis was thought to be the “drug” that kids were most likely to come into contact with. Ironically, China has been using the plant for over 10,000 years. And China legalized CBD in 2015! This week, I was in the supermarket with my uncle. He’s still against cannabis, CBD, and anything derived from the plant. I pointed to the sign at the supermarket aisle. “Look, CBD is sold here right next to Cheerios!” My uncle’s response was, “Well, I guess CBD is not the ‘bad’ part of the plant”.

5 Ways to Break the Stigma Around Cannabis

Be a responsible cannabis consumer
Arm yourself with cannabis facts
Share your story
Support diversity, inclusion, and education in the cannabis industry
Support reform efforts in a meaningful way

The statistics about women using cannabis for pain

Finding out how many women are currently using cannabis can be challenging. The statistics are all over the place. Plus, many women are still silenced by the stigma. Also, women are often not taken seriously. When women have pain, they’re told to suck it up. Just keep going. You have to go to work. You have to take care of your children, partner, and family. Just get on with your life. And before you know it, the pain becomes “normal”. We adapt to it.

Women with chronic pain are some of the strongest women I know. They’ve been living with this kind of underlying pain for so long. Health practitioners routinely minimize women’s experience of pelvic pain, IBS, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. These complaints are often dismissed as psychological rather than physiological conditions. Despite multiple trips to doctors and specialists, some women go undiagnosed for years. All the while, they’re told that their symptoms could be stress-related.

You treat patients of all ages—what’s the difference between how you treat adults and children?

In my practice, I’m seeing the sickest of the sick. Children who have intractable epilepsy. That includes seizures as a result of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, cancer, and colitis. I get referrals from other specialists to help treat young patients with medical cannabis after they’ve exhausted pharmaceutical and other forms of treatment. For children with cancer, medical cannabis can help with nausea and pain. Cannabis stimulates their appetites while they’re being treated with chemotherapy and radiation. For children with intractable epilepsy, parents report that cannabis treatment makes seizures less frequent, less severe, and shorter. But there can be side effects. Cannabis can interact with other drugs the patient is taking. To prevent negative effects, I monitor my patients very closely and work holistically with the child’s other doctors.

Cautions for children and medical cannabis

I also want to caution that cannabis can affect children’s and teens’ brains. Adding cannabis to a normal, functioning endocannabinoid system may actually interfere with a developing brain. Medical cannabis can be a game changer for kids who don’t respond to traditional medications. The children who come into my office are special cases. These are children who can’t find solutions with conventional treatments. There are very few physicians specializing in cannabis medicine who are willing to treat children and work closely with parents to monitor the child closely every step of the way.

What are the most common recommendations you give patients for chronic pain?

Microdosing! That includes:

1:1 ratio of CBD to THC
At night, 1:6 ratio of CBD to THC
For breakthrough pain during the day, a 2:1 of CBD to THC

For chronic pain sufferers, I recommend establishing a regular routine of 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC to stay AHEAD of the chronic pain. Don’t wait for a flare up. It takes the edge off. Patients can also synergistically use NSAIDS with a 1:1 ratio of cannabis. They complement each other. So they synergistically reduce pain by inhibiting endocannabinoid breakdown in the body. They’ll also reduce some side effects of THC. That can be helpful if you don’t want to feel sedated or euphoric. But, if you can skip the NSAIDs altogether, that’s a bonus. Regular NSAIDs use can eat away at your gut lining.

**What’s the scoop on the book you co-authored, Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness? Do you have plans to write another book?**

As women and chronic pain survivors, our empathy, intuition, and determination help us to find a way to take charge of our own health. That defines the heart of this book. I recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a more integrative and holistic approach to their health and wellness.

Can you share any other cannabis initiatives you have in the works?

I’m also working with Risa Morimoto on an educational course on cannabis and women’s health. She’s the producer of House Hunters International and the popular YouTube channel Modern Aging. We’re launching next month! So please help me spread the word. We’re offering free webinars on September 30, October 3, and October 6. If you’re interested, you can sign up at www.cbdwomenshealth.co/webinar. You can learn more about the course in advance on YouTube here and here.

How can people keep up with your work on all things cannabis for pain management?

You can follow me on Instagram @drjunechin and on DrJuneChin.com

The information in this interview is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Please consult your physician.

HOUSE RULES

All Your Stash Bag Questions Answered

When it comes to stash bags and how to store your cannabis, you’ve got choices to make. Do you hide your stash away in a discreet spot? Do you keep it out on the coffee table for easy access? Or do you have a stylish stash bag made especially for it, like House of Puff’s new Crosby Pouch? We polled our community to find out where you’re keeping your stash. Your answers reflect the rapidly shifting attitudes towards cannabis these days. Very happily, in a positive direction. As attitudes toward the plant continue to change, cannabis consumers are starting to feel more comfortable talking openly about their relationship with the plant. Back in 2017, ⅔ of women in the US and Canada hid their stashes. We’re happy to report that, today, ⅔ of our community feels no need to hide their cannabis consumption at all. Now, that’s progress!

Where do you keep your stash?

Where’s the best place to keep your stash? For some of you, that’s the drawer of your coffee table or desk. One of you has repurposed an old pocket manicure kit to save any half smoked joints. That way, none of your cannabis goes to waste. Someone else in our community uses a wooden wine bin as their stash box. And some of you go for the classic mason jar—which is a great way to keep your flower fresh even if it’s not the most fashion forward.

Why do you keep your stash where you keep it?

Convenience is the most common answer we got from our community—signs of refreshing normalization. Having your stash easily accessible makes your life simple. When you’re in the mood for a smoke sesh or want to grab a CBD salve, the last thing you want is to have to search high and low for what you need. One of the most convenient places people choose to keep their stash bag is right by where they typically consume. 80% of women who consume cannabis specifically use it at night before they go to bed (Brightfield). So, if you’re a tincture person, you might keep it in your bathroom vanity. That way, you can easily incorporate it into your nightly routine. Or you might keep it your stash bag in one of your bedroom drawers. And, of course, for people who want to keep their consumption on the DL even within their household, discreet spots are still the way to go. But a lot of us clearly aren’t feeling that need for discretion anymore.

Do you have a bag or a box that’s specifically for your stash?

If you don’t yet have anywhere specific to store your cannabis, we recommend getting your hands on a stash bag or stash box that’s made specifically for it. Keeping it secure will minimize the risk of anything happening to what you’ve got. Of course, that’s not the only reason to invest in a stash bag. Most containers made for cannabis contain the odor, too. And even if you’re completely open and proud about your consumption, you still want to keep your stash fresh by using something that’s airtight. If you’re a heavy smoker, you’ll probably need a separate container for your flower. Same for edibles. But if you’re a microdoser, you can likely fit your entire stash into just one bag. It’s also nice to be able to keep all your cannabis products organized and close at hand. Most of our community, 63% to be exact, already own a stash bag.

Finding the right stash bag

Coming across the right stash bag for you and your cannabis use isn’t always easy. We get it. We know from personal experience that it can take time to find the perfect one. That’s why House of Puff created the new Crosby Pouch. This posh, pink stash bag is stylish enough to fit your lifestyle—including your designer handbags and your swanky interior design. It’s also odor-resistant, stain-resistant, and antimicrobial. That makes it practical for both at home and when you’re on the go.

Do you lock up your stash?

You might think that it’s common to lock up your stash. But most of us don’t. Only 11% of the people who responded to our poll put their cannabis under lock and key. Typically, the reason they do is to prevent others, like their children, from getting into it. One mom shared that she keeps hers in the garage. In her house, the garage is just for grownups.

Do you hide your stash?

Locking up your stash is one thing. Most people do that for safety reasons. It keeps kids and pets from accessing cannabis. One of you shared that you lock up your stash in a filing cabinet just in case your landlord needs to get into your home. Even though cannabis is increasingly legal, not everyone is on board yet. But attitudes about cannabis are clearly changing because 63% of you don’t hide your stash at all. Considering that, in 2017, 66% of us purposefully hid our cannabis consumption, that’s a stunning about-face! This change seems to be the result of three factors. First, legalization in the US and Canada is definitely a factor. Second, a growing majority of our society now recognizes the myriad medical applications of the plant. Third, with more research and education, the myth that cannabis is more dangerous than other socially acceptable adult-use substances, like alcohol, is being dispelled. So cannabis consumers are starting to feel more comfortable being open about their consumption. We’re certainly all for proudly embracing the beauty of cannabis culture.

What’s in your stash bag?

Now for the most important question—what are the go-tos in your stash bag? After all, cannabis culture has always been about sharing. Most of you shared that you have a little bit of everything. But one thing’s clear—flower is still the queen! Most of you make sure you always have plenty of your favorite flower strains as well as the accessories you need to consume them. So the most common things you keep on hand, by far, are pre-rolled cones, rolling papers, and lighters.

What’s your fave thing in your stash?

There are countless products to love, and here are some of your favorites. One of you adores your gold seashell grinder. Someone else in our community is especially loving the uplifting energy they get from the Durban Poison flower that they keep in their stash bag. And a few of you agree with us that your fave accessories are House of Puff’s Le Pipe One Hitters and Nebula Rolling Trays.

What do you most covet for your stash?

One of the best things about the growth of the cannabis industry is that new products are constantly hitting the market. So you can continue to grow your stash. Many of you are on the lookout for new strains to test out. And one of you is looking for a better herb grinder that isn’t metal. Hmmm, our ears are burning…. We can’t say more right now, but keep your eyes peeled in the months to come!

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HOUSE RULES

Why a one-hitter?

What is a one-hitter?

Different types of one-hitters

Bats

Chillums

Chillums today

Dugouts

What are the benefits of using a one-hitter?

Discretion

Fantastic for when you’re on the go

Conserving your stash

One-hitters make microdosing a dream

One-hitters are ideal for the environment

How to use a one-hitter

Taking care of your one-hitter

How to Choose the Best Cannabis

#1 Cannabinoid content

The growing process is important

Think about the kind of effects you want

Focus on CBD if you don’t want psychoactive effects

#2 The best cannabis is clean cannabis

#3 The best cannabis is reliably tested

#4 The stronger the fragrance, the better the bud

How should the best cannabis flower smell?

What does the best cannabis flower look like?

#5 Color is Key

What does bad cannabis flower look like?

#6 Frosty Flower

#7 Stickiness

#8 Spongy Texture

The final step for determining the best cannabis

The cannabis FACTS everyone needs to know

420—the cannabis holiday

Blunt

Bowl

Bong—classic weed slang

Broad spectrum

Bud

BUDDER/Badder/Batter

Budtender—a Great source for cannabis facts

Cannabinoids (kUH·naB·uh·noyds)

Cannabis (kaN-Uh-bis)

CBD

CBN—one of the trendiest new cannabis facts

Concentrates

Crutch/crutch card

Dab/Dabbing

Dispensary

Edibles

Endocannabinoid (en·do·kuh·naB·uh·noyd) system

Entourage Effect—one of our fave cannabis facts

Extract

Flower—elevated weed slang

Full Spectrum

Grinder

Hash—one of the most ancient cannabis facts

Hemp—one of the most misunderstood cannabis facts

High

Hybrids

Indica (in·di·kuh)

Joint

Kief

Marijuana—the weed slang we’d most like to ditch

Medical cannabis

Munchies—cannabis facts at their cutest

One-hitter

Pipe

Recreational Adult-Use cannabis

Rolling papers—cannabis facts 101

Rolling tray

Sativa (Suh·TEE-Vuh)

Sesh—fashionable weed slang

Shatter

Stash

Strain

Terpenes: one of the most important new cannabis facts

THC