Starting the New Year off right doesn’t have to mean changing your diet or exercising more. In fact, your resolutions can be as simple as keeping your smoking gear clean and ready to use. If you’re like most people who frequent dispensaries in Denver, you know a lot about the types of pot you love to smoke. But if you don’t maintain your smoking gear properly, your favorite strains just won’t taste as good. Though cleaning a pipe or bong is simple enough, keeping your vape pen in good condition requires a bit more patience. Here are a few easy tips to help you keep your portable vaporizer working properly.

Gather Your Gear

Before you can start cleaning your vape pen, you’ll need to get your gear together. To clean the oily residue out of the pen, you’ll need a good supply of rubbing alcohol. Since the reservoirs of pens are inherently small, you’ll also need cotton swabs to thoroughly remove that residue. Once you have everything in place, get set up on the kitchen or bathroom counter. These areas are easy to clean up if the pen has tons of debris inside once you open it.

Heat the Pen Before Cleaning

It should come as no surprise that a warm vape pen will be easier to clean than a cool one. This is because the concentrates and debris soften under the heat, making them easier to remove. So, go ahead and have a quick hit or two to clear out the gunk!

Wipe Out the Reservoir

Before you get excited with the rubbing alcohol, clear out the reservoir around the wick. Make sure to only use a dry cotton swab. Getting moisture of any type, including rubbing alcohol, near the wick can severely damage your vape pen. 

Clear Out the Threads

Now that the buildup around the wick is cleaned out, start working on the threading around the device. To do this, dip the tip of a cotton swab into your rubbing alcohol and shake the excess off. Then, rub the swab along the threading until all residue is removed. Dry the pen thoroughly by letting the alcohol evaporate off on its own. Avoid using water as it can lead to rust and damage the components of your pen if the pen doesn’t dry fully before your next use. 

Get Rid of Gunk in the Mouthpiece 

Over months of use, it’s not uncommon for the mouthpiece of your vape pen to collect some debris and dirt. Luckily, it’s easy enough to clean. Run the mouthpiece under warm water in the sink and wash the gunk away. You can clean the exterior with a mild soap or use rubbing alcohol to get rid of any germs that might still be lingering on the surface. 

If your pen just isn’t worth cleaning, stop by one of our three locations and check out our full line of smoking gear to find a new device. We’ll make sure you find the right pen to heat your favorite concentrates to that perfect temperature time and time again. 

Nothing beats smoking out of a beautiful glass pipe. They’re infinitely reusable, durable, and provide a clean and delicious hit time after time. But that same pipe can collect a lot of dirt and buildup after multiple smoke sessions. While it’s relatively easy to clean the pipe you picked out at the best dispensary in Denver, many people aren’t sure where to begin. After all, it’s not like you can just toss it in the dishwasher! Here are a few simple tips to help you clean your pipe so you can use it for years to come. 

Clean It Weekly

If you’re a regular smoker, you’ll notice that buildup or resin collecting inside the bowl and probably even in the mouthpiece of the pipe. This can leave you with a nasty taste in your mouth even when you light up high-quality fresh bud. That resin can collect dust, pet hair, and even start to take on strange smells floating on the air. For most smokers, weekly cleanings will be enough to power through that resin and keep it from building up in the bowl. Once this is done, you’ll be able to taste the difference as soon as you light up.

Make Resin Easy to Remove with Heat

Resin may be gummy, but it’s a lot easier to remove when it’s warm. The easiest way to soften the resin is to heat the bowl with a lighter. As a general rule, it’s best not to smoke the resin, tempting though it may be. Smoking resin means you’re smoking the old and already burned up weed from smoke sessions past. It’s not always the healthiest choice and it tastes just plain awful. Once the resin is loosened up, scrape it out with a paperclip, a small spoon, or anything abrasive that can get into the bowl itself. When in doubt, be gentle. Scratching the glass won’t kill your smoking experience, but it will make the pipe look more beat up than necessary.

Mix the Right Solution

The best way to clean your pipe after scraping out the resin is to soak it in a water and alcohol solution. Dilute equal parts rubbing alcohol and uncomfortably warm water in a sealable bowl or plastic freezer bag. Submerge the pipe and put about two tablespoons of table salt in the mixture. Once done, seal the bag or bowl and shake vigorously. Then, let the pipe sit for about an hour. After soaking, give the pipe a good rinse and let it dry thoroughly before using it again. This will give you a perfectly clean and like-new pipe that highlights the taste of the pot rather than tainting each hit with the ghosts of buds past. 

If you find that your pipe can’t be cleaned or you’re just tired of smoking out of the same device, pick up a new piece from Altitude Dispensary. We’ve got everything you need to have a smoke sesh that’s guaranteed to delight your taste buds no matter what method you prefer to use. Need more information? Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn about our current menus and selection.

When it comes to getting high, you have tons of options to choose from. There are vape pens, tinctures, edibles, and flower, all of which will get the job done right. For those that love to smoke, however, the choice often comes down to a joint or a bowl. Wondering which option is best for you? We decided it was time to weigh in on the debate! Here are a few things to consider when deciding between joints from your favorite Denver dispensary and packing a bowl at home. 

Joints Are Way More Portable

When it comes to carrying weed with you on the go, nothing beats the convenience of a joint. When rolled properly, they seal the weed inside and easily fit in your pocket. Best of all, they can’t break! Bowls, on the other hand, take up a lot more space in your bag and if you drop them on a hard surface, there’s always a chance that you’ll be left cleaning up shattered glass rather than enjoying your high. 

Bowls Provide Cleaner Flavors

When you light a joint, you’re not just getting the pot…you’re getting the burned paper as well. Though most smokers won’t notice the taste of high-quality papers, some swear it impacts the flavor of the weed. When you smoke from a bowl, all you’re getting is the taste of the weed itself. If you’re looking for purity of flavor, stick to a bowl. Your tongue and your senses will thank you. 

Joints Take Skill to Roll Well

Rolling the perfect joint takes a lot of practice. When done right, the pot burns evenly and for a long time, making it the perfect way to share your high with friends. However, when it’s done poorly, you’ll be left with a bunch of air pockets that make your high less potent and enjoyable. Packing a bowl is incredibly easy, takes minimal skill, and lets you use even the smallest amount of pot. You won’t have to worry about packing it too tightly or not using enough weed to make it worth smoking. 

Bowls Are More Budget-Friendly

Rolling papers may be cheap to purchase, but if you’re buying them every few weeks, that price can quickly add up. Worse, you’ll need to have more pot on hand just to roll a joint worth lighting. This can take a toll on your budget over the course of the year. When you purchase a pipe, you can reuse it for years. You only need to buy a new one when you feel like it or your old one breaks. Best of all, you can light as much or as little pot as you want—you’ll still be able to get high. 

Both joints and bowls are a great way to get high, but they serve different purposes. If you’re smoking at home, we recommend a good glass pipe or bong. But if you’re planning on smoking on the go or are taking pot to share with friends, you’ll be better off with a few good joints. No matter what method you choose, you’ll need to stock up on quality cannabis before you can enjoy your high. Stop by one of our three locations and pick up some fresh bud today. 

CBDs are quickly becoming one of the most popular cannabis products in the country. They offer a number of health benefits, won’t get you high, and can be purchased in the best dispensaries in Denver as well as local health stores. But just because you know what to look for in a recreational pot product doesn’t mean you know what makes a CBD tincture high quality. Here’s what you need to know to find the best tincture for your needs. 

Look for Full Spectrum

CBD tinctures come in two main varieties: CBD isolate and full spectrum. CBD isolate tinctures contain exactly one part of the cannabis plant—cannabidiol. It’s still beneficial and CBD isolate tinctures are by far the most common outside of your local dispensary. Full spectrum products utilize more of the beneficial cannabis plant. This means you’ll get more of the naturally occurring compounds and experience something similar to the entourage effect, just without the THC. 

Decide How You Want to Use It

Tinctures come in flavored and unflavored varieties. To find the right tincture for your needs, you’ll need to decide how you plan on using it. If you’re going to take it straight under the tongue, flavored tinctures will be more pleasant. But if you want to use it in recipes, add it to tea, or want to add your own flavors with essential oils, you’ll want to pick up a plain tincture. Otherwise, it might feel a bit overwhelming to your taste buds.

Choose Between Marijuana-Based and Hemp-Based CBD

In order to be sold outside of a dispensary, the CBD tincture has to be made from hemp, not marijuana. Though both cannabis plants have CBDs, the hemp-based products may not be as high-quality as the ones derived from marijuana. Keep in mind, neither option will get you high. Any CBD product, regardless of what type of cannabis plant it’s made from, can have no more than 0.3% of THC. Even if you take the maximum dosage multiple times a day, this amount is not enough to get you buzzed, let alone high.

Pick the Right Concentration

Surprisingly, higher concentration CBD tinctures are not necessarily more effective than lower concentration options. In fact, it’s best to start with a lower concentration in the first place. This allows you to control the dose and find the perfect amount that works for you. Over time, and only if you need it, you can work your way up to a higher concentration. If you’re not sure which concentration will work best, ask your budtender for advice. 

To find the best CBDs possible, it’s always a good idea to head to your local dispensary. We know our products and will help you find the perfect CBD oils, tinctures, and edibles for your needs. You shouldn’t feel like you’re having to search for products alone or wade through the selection of low-quality tinctures at the grocery store. Stop by one of our three locations today and let our team help you find what you need. 

Trips home for the holidays can be both exciting and relaxing. But if you’re heading out of Colorado to visit family, you might end up getting questions about our state’s legalization of cannabis. Sure, you smoke pot from the best dispensary in Denver, but how do you even begin to talk to your parents or loved ones about it? Even more pressing, how do you handle the conversation when they bring it up? Here are a few tips to keep in mind if the conversation takes a turn towards marijuana use.

You Don’t Have to Tell Them If You Don’t Want to

The most important thing to remember is that you really don’t have to tell your parents that you use marijuana unless you feel like it. You’re an adult. The decision to use or not use is your own and their opinions on the matter are not the most important things in your life. If they disapprove and would try to hold things over your head—like financial assistance or familial support—you’re not obligated to tell them anything that could threaten that support.

Be Prepared for a Variety of Reactions

Some people absolutely hate pot and these reactions are the ones you’re probably most prepared for. But you never know when someone may surprise you. By admitting that you smoke, you might end up discovering that your loved ones do too. It could end up bringing you even closer! The main thing is, be prepared for different reactions. You never know what to expect from your loved ones and it’s best to brace yourself for both the good and the bad.

Don’t Be Afraid to Explain the Legality of It

Cannabis isn’t legal everywhere. This can send your loved ones into a panic if they think you’re breaking the law under their roof. Explain to them that you left your stash at home and only use the products legally. If they have questions about where you buy your cannabis, explain that you purchase it from a reputable dispensary regulated by the state. You can even show them the webpage and menu if you think it’ll help.

Be Ready to Share Your Cannabis Story

Sure, weed can be used in a purely recreational way, but it’s more often used because people want to experience the many benefits of the plant. If your loved ones are listening and open-minded, be prepared to share your story of cannabis use. How has it helped you? What do you love most about the high? Which types of products are your favorites? Answering these questions can make using pot more relatable. In many instances, this can take some of the fear out of the idea of using cannabis, especially when you purchase it legally.

The holidays are just around the corner and now is the perfect time to reevaluate your stash, gear, and storage methods. Stock up on your favorite products now and be prepared when you come back home after visiting your loved ones.