If you haven’t used hemp wick before, chances are you’ve at least seen it at a smoke shop. This is one of the oldest and most beloved cannabis accessories because a little bit goes a long way. Whether you’re looking to save a little money or choose more sustainable accessories, hemp wick is here to please. Smokers who use hemp wick are rewarded with low-stress and consistently high-quality smoke sessions. Discover everything you need to know about hemp wick and why you should consider adding it to your collection.
Origin of Hemp Wick
Hemp has been around a long time, dating all the way back to 8000 BC! Being such a versatile crop, nearly every part of the hemp plant has a known use. From the seeds to the stalks, there are a plethora of ways to take advantage of hemp plants. Due to its long, stringy stalks hemp is often used to make natural fibres. Hemp wick can be traced back to ancient Egypt where Egyptians used it as candles for seeing in the dark.
Hemp travelled from Asia into Europe before becoming a huge cash crop in Colonial America. Hemp farming was very popular in the colonies and farmers found just about every use they could for the plant. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that hemp wick reemerged and began to be used for smoking cannabis. Today, hemp wick is a well-known cannabis accessory that many choose for a more natural and long-lasting smoke. While it’s not as famous as it was for the Egyptians, it’s slowly coming back into style for natural-minded smokers.
Smoking with Hemp Wick
This natural alternative to lighters is suitable for smokers of all kinds. Since it's made of hemp twine coated in beeswax, it burns slowly and allows you to smoke comfortably without having to relight. Hemp wick makes a great cannabis accessory for anyone who prefers to smoke from a pipe or bong. Smokers can wrap hemp wick around their lighters or fingers to quickly spark their bowls. On top of providing a more relaxed smoke session, there are many other benefits to smoking with hemp wick.
Benefits of Hemp Wick
Hemp wick is handy for smoking, but also improves your smoke session by:
- Reducing butane fumes - Most smokers end up inhaling butane from conventional lighters while smoking. People who chose to medicate with cannabis usually do so because it’s healthier and more natural, so inhaling butane seems counterproductive. As hemp wick is made of cannabis, it’s the same safe and natural material that cannabis users are smoking.
- Lowering the heat - Hemp wick burns at a lower temperature than lighters. First and foremost, this means smoother hits and less of that ‘choking’ when you’re smoking. Second, your cannabis won’t burn as quickly. That means you’ll have a more relaxed smoke and your stash may last longer.
- Providing more flavourful hits - Although it may not give you an ashless or flavourless experience, it will allow you to appreciate terpenes more. According to Leafly, all terpenes have different boiling points. So with hemp wick, you’ll be able to enjoy terpenes more on account of the lower temperature. The added scent of beeswax doesn’t hurt either!
- Being more sustainable - Probably one of the best things about hemp wick is how little waste it leaves behind. At a time when we’re all looking to reduce and refuse, and if necessary recycle, these natural alternatives to lighters can’t be beaten. Unlike butane lighters, no plastic or metal gets shipped off to the landfill. Hemp wick also lasts much longer, so you buy less of it and minimize packaging in the long run.
Time to Enjoy
Choosing to swap a lighter for hemp wick is a great way to look after your health, wallet, and the planet. With this natural alternative, you’ll find yourself breathing life back into the ritual of smoking. To learn more about cannabis accessories, read our list of must-have smoking accessories for your next smoke session. For pipe smokers, we’ve put together a simple guide on how to clean a smoking pipe and keep your gear in perfect working condition.
Those who prefer more sustainable and natural cannabis accessories should know that our pipe, the Brockton Mk2, will be available shortly. More details about the pipe are available here, alongside a mailing list for updates on when the pipes are in stock. Stay safe, take care, and happy smoking!