High in Public: HempCon

Since legalization passed in California, I’ve tried to take the opportunity to explore the cannabis themed events. Not only am I a fan of cannabis, but I love being able to see the process of seeing what was a flourishing subculture blossom into a mainstream industry. It’s an awkward stumble in many ways, and there’s a ways left to go, but it’s nonetheless fascinating. This past weekend, I attended my first HempCon at the Cow Palace, and now that I’ve nearly come down, I’d like share some stories of this weird, wonderful world and see if I can entice some of you into it.

Buffet-style:

This is only my second event where cannabis was provided, and it is the second one where the admission price covers the whole smorgasbord. We arrived shortly after opening, and were offered a dab in the first five minutes. Those offerings never stopped. I tried to pace myself, and kept it to six or seven over the course of three hours, while my partner in crime managed to try a dozen. I’ve been to beer tastings with a similar setup, but given that cannabis fans tend to be less boisterous and aggressive than beer drinkers, I would hope this becomes a norm for whatever the future holds for public cannabis spaces. Without the high brand markup so commonly seen with alcohol, providing a cannabis buffet seems like a reasonable and affordable option that many cities could accommodate.

Crashing prices:

I didn’t go with the intent to spend anything beyond what would cover lunch. If I had, my dollar would have gone a long way. Flower was cheap, often under $40 an eighth even for quality products, and oils weren’t far behind. I imagine having your competition ten feet away worked to enforce a bargain basement standard on pricing. For the cost conscious, the low prices could easily make up for the $60 price of admission.

Dab is king:

My first experience with cannabis was with a repurposed container of Tropicana orange juice. With an exacto knife, some foil and electrical tape, we had a makeshift bong which more than did the trick for me. Since then, the bong has been my tool of choice, more pleasant than pipes with the water mellowing the harshness, and allowing for the big, bellowing hits I was so fond of. But as I walked from booth to booth encountering dab rig after dab rig, I began to wonder if I’ve been stuck in the past. The handful of stations with bongs had ridiculously oversized units, phallic monstrosities that should have stayed in the frat house. Dabbing on the other hand was quick, easy, got me right where I wanted to go without a lot of hacking and wheezing, but most importantly let me taste the full flower of the product. I finally broke down and ordered my EVO that night. Particularly because…

A lot of dab rigs suck:

I believe there are three primary factors that make the EVO the best dab rig on the market: reliability, user experience, and aesthetics. Most of the rigs available were able to meet the first test, but completely blew the next two. A tiny little beaker not only looks like a prop from Breaking Bad not only makes dabbing look way shadier, but it results in shotgunning hits that are harder to take than they should be. Let’s get away from meth chic, start using properly sized pieces so I’m not bending over to hit something that makes me look like Andre the Giant, and stop bringing in pieces that look like DnD props.

Incredible Edibles:

I have a love/hate relationship with edibles. They can get the job done, and work very well in the right situation, but we all have a story or two where we ended up in the deep end without intending to. That said, the wide range of available edibles was impressive, effective, and delicious. From the upscale salted caramels to the down home S’mores rice crispy treats, to the outrageous 2000 mg of THC three inch gummy bear (I just had a sliver, otherwise I would have floated home after) there was something for everyone and all of a solid level of quality. The days of buying dry brownies that taste like a bag of lawn trimmings are behind us.

WUI (Working Under the Influence):

One thing I’ve noticed at these kind of events is that the folks working the convention are taking advantage of their free admission. Far be it from I to call someone out for getting lit and paid at the same time, but it’s clear that some people are a lot better at working while high than others. As we wrap our heads around what legalization means, I understand that people in the industry are proud of their wares and want to see what the competition is doing, but I saw more than a couple booths where everyone working was talking in a circle and ignoring the public that they were supposed to be selling to, and plenty of folks trailed off halfway through their pitch. I expect the ability to keep your head on straight after a dab is going to be an increasingly in demand skill, and that those who can’t hang will be forced to straighten up or ship out.

Amateur Hour:

While we’re at it, there’s an odd discrepancy in the level of professionalism across the board. Some of this can be chalked up to targeting different demographics, but a lot of it just looks like laziness. Being told to “try some of our shit” made way more sense coming from a white dude with dreadlocks with the only Trainwreck available in town than it does when I’m being pitched by someone who’s competition is found ten feet away. Also, when I ask for your contact info, a sticker with a logo and no name, number, or website isn’t what I’m looking for. This is legal now. Be proud of your product and act like it, or you’re going to look like a drug dealer among businesses.

Have we reached peak bro?:

If we can be real for a minute, San Francisco is a pretty bro-y place in its history. This is reflected at the cannabis events I’ve seen, with hoodie-clad dudes with non traditional facial hair dominating the scene. Now, I won’t act like I don’t count more than a few cannabis-loving bros as friends, but I would hope that the scene doesn’t lose the sense of diversity and inclusivity that’s kept it vibrant, inviting, and culturally relevant since the days of Louie Armstrong. There were many booths representing minority and female-owned businesses, and you could find folks in the crowd from every walk of life, but for an industry that is this young, its lack of diversity is worrisome, particularly considering the legal barriers preventing those who got in trouble for cannabis in the past from taking their spot on the gravy train in the present.

Stoned Seniors:

I hope I never stop being amused by watching old people get high. Watching a former flower child try her first dab to the cheers of onlookers was fun, adorable and hilarious. If this trend holds, I look forward to toking in front of a mirror in a few decades and laughing my ass off every time.

All in all, we’re all trying to work out the rules of how getting high in public is supposed to work. I expect events such as these will grow more professional as time goes on, and they may become overly sanitized in the process, losing some of the lackadaisical charm so associated with cannabis. That said, we’re only a few steps into this brave, new world and there may end up being enough space for both ends of that spectrum to coexist. What I can tell you is that these events are quite a bit of fun, with a lot of curious, excited people, both attendees and vendors, who are trying to work out our post-Prop 64 reality. I recommend spending the money, bringing a friend, and seeing this scene for yourself. We’ve waited a long time for legal cannabis, it’s only right we go out and enjoy it together.

Cannabis 101: How to Get There

50 million Americans live in a state that legalized marijuana last week. If you’re one of them, you may well be excited about your first legal bowl. But for every regular smoker, there’s someone who hasn’t picked up a piece since college and someone else who has never touched the stuff. So, in recognition of those who are looking to either get back into the wide world of weed or to check it out for the first time, we here at VapeXhale would like to give you some advice on how to experience this miraculous plant safely, comfortably, and legally.

Find a friend

If you’re going to get high for the first time, you should have a friend with you who knows the ropes. Cannabis is often a social experience, and while many aficionados light up alone, most prefer some company. Also, smoking for the first time takes some getting used to, and watching some YouTube video trying to teach you how to work a carb is not a recipe for a fun evening. Being high for the first time may make some everyday tasks more difficult, either because your senses of coordination or perception are off, your memory is less reliable than usual, or because you get the giggles on each attempt. As such, it’ll help to have someone around who can help you through whatever struggles you are met with. Thankfully, marijuana smokers are everywhere, so you’ve likely got a friend who knows their way around a bong, even if you don’t know it yet.

Choose your weapon

There’s been a lot of talk in the media about the increasing strength of cannabis. And while some of that discourse has been just more Reefer Madness, there is some truth to it. The combination of marijuana’s growing popularity and illegal status has incentivized growers to maximize THC content. As such, if you haven’t had a joint since Woodstock, you’re going to feel the difference. Now, there’s still plenty to enjoy, just don’t jump right into the deep end. Straight flower is probably a good place to start, preferably an indica which tends to have a more calming and relaxing experience, as opposed to sativas which tend to leave users feeling more energized and eager to move and explore. Don’t feel that marijuana is only for shut-ins of course, but it would be wise to get a feel for how it affects you before you go out to meet the neighbors. A joint is the most simple option, but if you aren’t used to smoking, a bong will provide a smoother and milder experience, and a vaporizer even more so.

Watch out for edibles

Edibles are growing more common every day, and are easy to share, particularly when out and about. But, as Maureen Dowd learned the hard way, edibles can be very powerful. If you’re a rookie, 5 milligrams is a good jumping off point, but it’s not unheard of to find products with a THC count in the hundreds. If you wouldn’t introduce someone to alcohol by handing them a funnel and a bottle of everclear, don’t take a whole brownie without reading the label or talking to the baker. You’ll be OK of course, but you might not be able to do much besides sit, stare, and smile for a couple of hours. Also, the effects of edibles can vary based on when you last ate, so don’t make the classic mistake of taking more because you haven’t felt the effects yet, as you may realize you’re in deeper than you intended.

Clear your schedule

Your first time should ideally be in a safe space with no interruptions. Again, experienced users can handle many day-to-day activities while high without a problem, be it doing the dishes, playing with their kids, or finishing up that power point presentation for work. But as Bill Hicks said, “When you’re high, you can do everything you normally do just as well. You just realize that it’s not worth the effort.” You don’t want to realize the fundamental absurdity of the universe at the same time you remember you’ve got to pick your sister up at the airport. Be in a position where you can not worry about work, don’t need to look at your phone, and can just sit back and relax.

Hit it, don’t quit it

Now the moment is at hand. If you’re using a pipe or bong, it’s a deceptively simple practice. First, pack your bowl with greens, which ideally you would have split or ground up. Next, while covering the carb if you have one, light the bowl and inhale enough that smoke begins to accumulate in the chamber. When a sufficient amount of smoke is visible (and you’ll have to experiment to see how much you can handle, but don’t feel you need to show off) uncover the carb or remove the slide. This allows the free flow of air from the chamber to your lungs. Breathe from your diaphragm, holding the smoke as long as you can, and then exhale (preferably towards a window. Cannabis smells wonderful, but stale cannabis? Less so.)

Don’t feel the need to take more than you feel you can handle, but you should continue until you can feel a difference. Many people bungle their first hit, refuse a second, and then claim cannabis doesn’t work for them. If you take a few hits and give it a few minutes, you’ll likely experience a feeling of movement when standing still, euphoria, or a change in perception. That’s when you can effectively judge the experience and determine if it’s for you.

Don’t drink and imbibe

Alcohol and cannabis have multiplicative effects upon one another. As such, if you’re just starting out with cannabis, you should probably leave the liquor in the cabinet. When you feel more comfortable with the herb, you can try drinking while high, but we’d advise you to take it slow. Otherwise, it’s quite likely you’ll find the room starts spinning faster than you’d, and the contents of your stomach, would appreciate.

Enjoy the ride

Once you’re high, remember to have fun. There isn’t a universal response to cannabis, so don’t feel married to your expectations. It’d be wise to have a range of stimulae on hand so you’re covered with however the mood takes you. Listening to music, talking with friends, watching cartoons, making a puzzle, playing a board game, or whatever else could seem like a whole new experience, so it’s good to have options available. You don’t want to end up rooting through your closet just to realize you forgot what you started looking for. Stay hydrated, as you will more than likely have some cottonmouth to deal with, and marijuana does act as a diuretic. The munchies is a very real phenomenon, likely caused by endocannabinoids getting into your hypothalamus which leads to your cannabinoid receptors increasing your appetite. As such, it is wise to have something (or many things) you enjoy eating on hand. Contrary to stereotypes, not all high people subsist on junk food; foods of all sorts will become more exciting, but remember that you will have to face the consequences the next day, regardless of how good everything tastes. All in all, the journey you have embarked on is perfectly safe, more so than ever if the legal barriers against use have been removed. Enjoy the journey.