Why Clean Cannabis Paraphernalia is Essential for Your Health and Safety

Just as you wouldn’t eat off of a dirty plate, you shouldn’t smoke cannabis out of a dirty pipe, vape, or bong. Not only is it incredibly difficult to use paraphernalia that is almost hopelessly clogged, but it is hazardous for your health. Cannabis is most often consumed through smoking, which is already the most harmful means of consumption. Cannabis smoke contains many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke and has been associated with bronchitis, lung infections, and chronic cough. Dirty cannabis paraphernalia can increase those health risks, so keeping all of your accessories clean is essential to your health and safety.

Types of Cannabis Accessories

Before we talk about keeping all of your accessories clean, let’s talk about some of the accessories that are commonly used to consume cannabis.

Rolling Papers

Rolling papers are used to make joints or blunts from dried cannabis. They are reasonably safe when they’re purchased from authorized retailers, although non-regulated papers can contain pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

Pipes and Bongs

Pipes are reusable accessories that consist of a bowl where cannabis is burned. The smoke from the burned cannabis remains in the pipe to be inhaled. Water pipes, or bongs, use water vapor to lower the temperature of the smoke and filter out some of its harmful substances.

Vape

A vape heats up liquid or solid cannabis extract, producing an aerosol that is inhaled. Depending upon state laws, these can usually be acquired at a gas station or distillery.

Why You Should Clean Your Cannabis Accessories

In addition to being much harder and less pleasant to use, dirty cannabis accessories can harbor bacteria and mold. The average cannabis pipe contains far more bacteria than a dog food bowl, a cell phone screen, or even the average dumpster. It’s akin to eating food from a filthy plate or off of a dirty floor, and smokers often make the situation much worse by passing a pipe or joint around with their friends. At their worst, dirty accessories can cause problems such as strep throat, pneumonia, and emphysema.

Knowing When to Clean Your Paraphernalia

Part of enjoying cannabis is keeping all of your accessories clean. Ideally, you should clean your pipes, grinders, and vapes at least once a week. Isopropyl alcohol, dishwashing detergent, and even certain products specifically designed for cleaning cannabis paraphernalia can all be used.

The easiest way to make sure that your accessories are all clean is to schedule a cleaning session at the same time every week, but you should also be on the lookout for signs of buildup in your paraphernalia. These signs include:

• Discolored water in your bong
• A grinder that is so sticky that it becomes difficult to turn
• Your pipe is clogged with dark, sticky resin
• Your vape coil becomes clogged and stops working

Smoking cannabis is never entirely safe or good for your health, but you could be making things worse if you’re using dirty accessories. Keep a close eye on your paraphernalia, and make sure to clean it regularly.