Ok, so you tried vaping, tinctures, and edibles, and (like me), still want to burn a little tree at the end of a long day.
No issue with that, - it’s sensual, ancient, and ritualistic to roll a joint and slowly savor it. Nothing in the world beats it, in my opinion.
And, having said that, yogis honor health and wellness, and protect our bodies from damage by eating organic produce, using blue-light blocking glasses at night, and avoiding toxins and stress.
… So, why not have the same attitude with our spliffs?
Here are a few lung-protecting tips for those of us that don’t want to give up smoking, but do want to have a healthier experience with it ( - so we can keep smoking long into old age, heehee). Let’s get into it!
Smoker Tip #1: Always Roll With A Crutch.
This provides not only stability for the joint, but may remove a substantial amount of tar (and yucky taste), in addition to giving us a little distance from the hot smoke, protecting our sensitive lung tissues.
Smoker Tip #2: Use Unbleached Hemp Paper & Crutches.
Rolling up nature’s medicine in bleached paper tastes as gross as it sounds. Though unbleached hemp papers take a little to get used to (for folks like my mom who have been rolling with thick white papers since the 70s), it's completely worth it. Your lungs will thank you. Oh, and avoid any papers dyed with cute colors and patterns, unless the packaging states the ink is all-natural. Even then, - not a fan.
Smoker Tip # 3: Use A Joint Extender
While smoking cannabis does not cause lung cancer, it’s a fact that far more tar and carbon monoxide are delivered into the lungs from the second half of the joint (since it’s shorter and hotter). The further from your body it is, the healthier the joint. Use a smoke stone or fancy French joint extender, adding a few inches of space between you and the hot cherry so the smoke isn’t as hot when it reaches your mouth.
Smoker Tip #4: Don’t Stop Your Joint Halfway Through To Finish Later
Some people roll up a fatty (or a little pinner doobie), smoke a few puffs, and put it out to finish later. Not a wise move. Why? Two reasons: the closeness of the hot embers to your lips (see tip #3), and also, the second half of your joint will have far more tar and carbon monoxide than the first half, which could increase cardiovascular risk in smokers with underlying heart disease.
Better to roll a smaller joint and smoke ⅔ of it, then sacrifice the remaining ⅓ to the ashtray to save your lungs. (Don’t want to waste weed? Pack another smokable herb like mullein or calendula flowers on the crutch-side of the joint, and once you start to taste them, butt the baby out).
Conclusion:
While there is no completely "healthy" way to smoke cannabis (in another blog we’ll go into the pro + cons of using water pipes), - there are some things we can do to minimize the risk of developing respiratory problems due to the preferred method of consumption.
Here at Ganja Yoga, we recommend adding dabbing, vaping, edibles, and tinctures to your smoking rituals, perhaps saving the smoking for evening (or, at least until 4:20). Having said that, everyone is different and for some, smoking all day, every day is the right choice.
By using a crutch in your joint, rolling with unbleached hemp, using a joint-extender, and not resparking the second half of a joint (and butting the joint out when it’s getting short), you’re doing a lot to love and protect your lungs.
