The Gang Sits Down for a Q&A (Part One)

Q: “My bong is seriously dirty, it looks like it’s been through hell and back. Is there a way to clean it or should I just throw it away and start with a new one? I’ve owned it for so long, I don’t want to let it go, but maybe it’s time for a change?”

A: That’s a question that passes through the mind of almost every smoker at some point or another. I’ve definitely been there myself thinking I should just throw away dirty glass. But at the end of the day, my bongs and pipes all have a special place in my heart. They got me through the good days and the bad days. So I would suggest cleaning it for sure. There’s no bong that is too dirty to clean. There are lots of instant cleaners to help right away, such as Formula 420 or Resinate. If it’s super super dirty and looks like it needs to soak, I recommend Grunge Off. One overnight soak and your bong will be brand new!

Q: “I use a reclaim attachment on my rig but my friends make fun of me for smoking my reclaim. Is it really all that bad?”

A: I’m using my reclaim catcher to keep my rig cleaner. In my opinion, it would depend on what kind of wax you were using. If it’s worth it to you, then who cares what they think. The reclaim definitely will have lost a lot of potency. Most of the THC will have been vaporized but there might be CBD in there which is still very beneficial. My advice, don’t worry what your friends think.

Q: “I’ve been told that vaporizing is a healthier way of smoking? Is that really true? I’ve been seriously considering buying one. I love smoking and I don’t want to give it up, but the older I get, the harsher the smoke is on my throat. Would vaporizing help with that?”

A: It is true, vaping is definitely the healthier option with it comes to smoking. When vaporizing, the oils are being cooked off of the leaves instead of incinerating it. For obvious reasons, inhaling smoke in general isn’t good for your lungs. It can cause bronchitis, coughing, wheezing, dry mouth, and other respiratory problems. What's healthier about vaporizing is you’re inhaling vapor and not smoke. Think of when you’re boiling water and the steam that comes up. That’s essentially, “vaporizing,” so when you vape weed you’re just getting the THC instead of all of the carcinogens that come along with it. That is why your weed looks cooked and dried out instead of turning to ash. If you're going to go all out and buy a vaporizer, definitely research your options. Vaping is considerably different than smoking, not only is it a completely different high, but you're not going to produce clouds of smoke like you do when smoking out of a hand pipe or bong.

Q: “So many people have been telling me about CBD and how it helps them with their arthritis. My pitbull has been having a hard time getting around lately because her hips are getting bad. Would CBD help her as much as it helps everyone else? How much should I give her?”

Yes! CBD is amazing for pets. CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors that exist in all forms of human life. The same way CBD helps with humans, it will also help with pets. It’s a natural inflammatory so it will definitely help with arthritis. For dosing, it will depend on what brand you’re using. Whether it’s pet treats or a tincture, make sure you follow the instructions on the package. One of my favorite ways of giving CBD to my pets is the CBD Living Water.