Marijuana Pipes 101: History, Types, Design and More

Facts are facts: Cannabis no longer carries the stigma that it once did. As cannabis legislation sweeps the nation, the amount of Americans who reported that they have tried pot at least once has jumped up to 47 percent, with about 15 percent saying they use it on a regular basis. 

While cannabis products are now legally available in a variety of forms including edibles, beverages, concentrates and more, smoking is still the most popular method of consumption. Rolled options such as joints and blunts are popular due to their inherent portability, but their combustion methods result in a significant amount of ash. When it comes to providing more smoke and less aroma, handheld weed pipes reign supreme for smoking dry herb. A weed bowl helps bud last longer and ends up being an economical option when you consider the price of continually buying papers or pre-rolls. Here, we will walk you through the options, styles, durability and materials currently available for marijuana pipes.

Cannabis Pipe History

The earliest evidence of humans smoking cannabis was found in ancient Asia, and appears to date back to around 500 BC. Variations of marijuana pipes have been found all over the world, spanning from Asia to Africa to South America to Russia. 

While the most common substance used to create ancient smoking devices was clay, other natural ingredients such as stone, bamboo and even animal horn were used as well. During the Iron Age, tools became more advanced and carving became a more critical skill. This resulted in wood becoming a more popular construction material for cannabis pipes, as wood could withstand more frequent usage than clay could. 

Fast-forward to the 1960, when glass marijuana pipes and glass bongs started to gain popularity. This was due in large part to the “Godfather of Glass,” Bob “Snoddy” Snodgrass, who traveled with the Grateful Dead and created one-of-a-kind pieces which he sold outside of concert venues.

What is a Weed Pipe?

A cannabis pipe is a handheld device used to smoke cannabis. Most consist of a very simple design that includes:

• A mouthpiece. This is the piece where you place your mouth in order to inhale the smoke.
• A weed bowl. This is the small basin at the end of the pipe that you fill with dry marijuana flower.
• A chamber. This is the tube that the smoke travels through. It’s the pipe stem, which connects the bowl to the mouthpiece

Cannabis pipes may also have a carb. A carb is a little hole, usually on the side of the bowl, which can be covered and uncovered in order to control the airflow of smoke through the pipe

Basically, when using a weed pipe, ground pot or flower buds are first placed into the bowl. Then, a match or lighter is used to ignite the product, which creates smoke. The smoke is then inhaled into the lungs. 

Weed Pipe Materials

Modern day cannabis pipes can be constructed from a variety of materials, including:

Glass

Widely available in a variety of styles and designs, glass pipes have an undeniably aesthetic appeal that can improve the user’s sensory experience by making it easy to watch the smoke swirl. 

Hands-down the most popular material for flower pipes, glass is non-porous and non-reactive, which ensures that the flavor of the herb being smoked is not compromised or altered in any way. The only real downside with a glass marijuana pipe is its fragility, so you have to be careful not to break it.

Metal

Metal marijuana pipes are a popular choice due to their low cost, portability and longevity. Constructed from materials like aluminum, brass, copper or stainless steel, a metal marijuana pipe is basically unbreakable. 

The biggest complaint with these is that they can cause metallic undertones in the cannabis smoke, which consumers may find unpleasant.

Wood

With a completely different look and feel to the more modern pipes made from glass and metal, a wooden marijuana pipe can actually not only alter, but positively enhance the taste of cannabis by adding a natural, rich flavor. 

Often crafted from hardwoods such as cherry, rosewood or maple, it is important to note that a wooden pipe must be prepared prior to first usage by evenly burning the inside of the weed bowl to create a layer of charcoal.

Stone

Merging beauty with function, stone marijuana pipes are usually crafted entirely by hand. Stone marijuana pipes have natural heat resistance and provide a cooler smoking experience, which can help you avoid the throat irritation that often accompanies the rapid succession of repetitive draws. Stone may require more cleaning though, and is typically far heavier than other materials. This can make it more challenging to keep in your pocket.

Silicone

An increasingly popular new addition to some of the more traditional marijuana pipe materials, these weed pipes are nearly unbreakable and come in a variety of vibrant colors. This rubber-like, flexible material has a high melting point, meaning it doesn’t release any toxic fumes when it’s heated. 

Silicone marijuana pipes are also extremely easy to clean — you can literally just use soap and water. Just remember to look for food-grade silicone to prevent inhalation of any unnecessary silicone particles. 

Weed Pipe Designs

Some people use the terms piece, pipe, bong and rig interchangeably. While any of those terms can be used when describing the device used to consume marijuana, there are technical differences. 

A glass bong, which can also be used dry, is often known as a water pipe because it uses a water filtration system to cool down the smoke and make the inhalation process smoother while removing toxins from the dry herb. 

A rig, or dab rig, is specialized for the consumption of concentrates and waxes. It includes a nail, or a “banger,” where the concentrates are applied. 

As far as actual “dry” pipes go, besides the specialty designs which can truly be considered works of art, there are a few common design categories that most marijuana pipes fall into. The classics are:

• Spoon. This is what most people think of when they picture a cannabis pipe. Named for their resemblance to a traditional spoon, they are made from one single piece of material and feature a concave bowl with a handle or stem that extends to a mouthpiece.
• Hammer. This cannabis pipe is shaped just like a hammer, with a long, slender stem and a deep bowl at the end. Because of the increased depth, you can usually smoke longer before needing to repack the bowl, making it better for longer smoking sessions.
• One-Hitter. Often referred to as a “chillum” within the US, these are streamlined and tube-shaped with a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other. There is usually no carb, and these are only big enough to take one or two draws before they need to be refilled. These are very popular because of how discreet they are and how easy they are to travel with.
• Steamroller. A classic marijuana pipe with one big difference, these tubes have openings at both ends. With a bowl set in the middle, one end is the mouthpiece and the other acts as a carb. This causes the air to flow more easily through the chamber, resulting in intense and potent hits that some may consider harsh. This is not a cannabis pipe that should be used by beginners.
• Sherlock. Named after the world-famous detective, these provide an old-fashioned aesthetic and feature very large bowls with curved, arching stems. The younger generation unfamiliar with Sherlock may gravitate more toward a Gandalf, which also features a large bowl, but has a stem with less curve and more elongation. In any case, these pipes are all about style, elegance and creating a vibe.

When looking for the perfect pipe, material, size and budget should always be factored into your decision. Larger, more extravagant pipes can elevate your smoking experience while smaller, simplistic designs offer portability for those on the go. 

Your pipe should reflect your personal style, whether that’s the durability of metal, elegance of glass or the earthy charm of wood. Always prioritize quality and brand reputation. 

The most important thing when it comes to marijuana pipes? Keep ‘em clean! The more often you clean your cannabis smoking device, the easier it will be to maintain. In addition to protecting your health, a clean pipe enables improved airflow as well as peak flavor transmission, resulting in a more positive smoking session. 

Interested in cannabis pipes? Learn more at a CannaCon Expo near you!

Whether you are new to the scene or diligently working to expand your business, CannaCon is the place to meet and network with industry leaders and learn about new and upcoming products. Register now for an upcoming CannaCon event!

This article was originally posted on August 30, 2019 and updated on November 14, 2024.