One of the best ways to enjoy high-quality cannabis from the top weed shops in Denver is to smoke it. Though many people prefer using the ultra-portable pipe as their primary smoking method, the experience can be harsh, especially if you’re new to smoking. For smokers that prefer a smoother, easier hit every time, regardless of strain, using a bong is often the better choice. The key to getting the most out of your bong is making sure the bowl is packed the right way. It may sound simple, but there’s a huge difference between tossing weed in and packing it the right way. These are the steps you need to take.

Prep the Weed

One of the worst mistakes beginner smokers make is putting a large chunk of bud in the bowl and trying to light it. If you get really lucky, it will work, but you won’t get as strong of a hit or be able to taste the full flavor of the strain you selected. You need to prep the bud first. Use your grinder and mash that sucker until the bud is broken up into a rough but thorough grind. If you don’t have a grinder, you can chop the bud up with a sharp knife. If you’re not comfortable using a knife, you can break the bud up with your fingers, but it will take longer.

Remove the Bowl From the Bong

Most modern bongs have removable bowls. This makes it easier to pack them properly. If you can, remove the bowl and set it aside. By removing it, you’ll find it easier to pack the bowl properly. But before you start adding your cannabis to the bowl, you’ll want to install a screen to cover the hole that you insert into the stem. Small chunks of weed can slip into the stem if you’re not careful. Use a dedicated bong screen for best results. These are washable and reusable, so you’ll get plenty of sessions with a single screen. If you don’t have a screen, use a few larger bits of bud to support the ground up cannabis.

Insert the Bowl and Light It Up

Once you’ve got the weed packed properly, you’re ready to start smoking. Light the cannabis with your preferred lighter. We recommend the refillable kind since it saves you money in the long run. Try to avoid using matches if you can. Even the best matches will leave behind a sulfur smell and that stench can seriously impact the quality of your hits and the flavor of the weed. 

Pick Up the Gear You Need Today

If you’re getting into bong smoking for the first time, you’re going to need to stock up on supplies sooner rather than later. Stop by your nearest location of Altitude the Dispensary today. Our team will help you get the gear you need to fully enjoy every bong hit you take. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask, even if you think they’re incredibly basic. We’re here to help you no matter how much experience you have.

Any cannabis user will tell you that having a beverage on hand when stoned is crucial. Not only do beverages help to alleviate the dry mouth that often accompanies marijuana use, but some beverages are extra tasty when you’re stoned. Some can even enhance your high! 

Here are some suggestions from Altitude, your Denver marijuana dispensary, on beverages you might wish to try.

Coffee
Whether you’re a first-thing-in-the-morning smoker or if you like to enjoy an afternoon coffee and cannabis break, coffee and pot go well together. It won’t increase your high, but the pairing does create a unique and pleasantly different taste. Try it for yourself. You can even create your own recipe: 7 Ways to Make Cannabis Coffee at Home.

Fruit Smoothies
Who doesn’t love a fruit smoothie loaded with vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables—and maybe even some protein powder to contribute to muscle-building. Fruit smoothies can be a healthy beverage in general, and if you make them right, they can even boost your high. Many people report that the addition of mangos to your smoothie can cause a more intense euphoria. Medical patients, in particular, are thought to benefit from adding this tropical fruit to their smoothies. 

Bubble Tea
Not everyone has heard of this Taiwanese iced tea that includes tapioca balls at the bottom. These tapioca balls are as soft and chewy as a gummy worm—and are what makes this drink so much fun. These tapioca balls are as large as marbles, so bubble tea comes with an extra-large straw. From your very first sip when you feel the boba—tapioca balls—hit your tongue then as you pop it open and chew, it’s a fun and delicious experience. Bubble tea shops let you customize the tea based on your choice of ingredients. This beverage is a must-try when you are stoned.

Wild Cherry Pepsi
Speaking of bubbles, another favorite beverage of stoners is wild cherry Pepsi. Although it may not be the healthiest choice as far as beverages, it does add an element of fun given the texture of the carbonation and the cherry flavor. 

Slushies
Slushies picked up from the local corner gas station are a favorite among kids—and they are super fun when you are high. Create your masterpiece by choosing your favorite flavor. You can select fruity flavors or Cola—and just about everything in between. Your creation is only limited by your imagination. The amount of water in these icy drinks is an excellent way to combat cannabis cottonmouth.

Find Your Favorite Marijuana at Altitude the Dispensary
Get your favorite marijuana strains at any of our three Denver area locations: Aurora, East Denver, or West Denver. Our budtenders are ready to help you choose the right strain of weed depending on the high you are looking for—and the beverage you are ready to pair it with. Contact us today to learn about our current specials that often include coupons and freebies. We can also help you choose marijuana accessories. 

As marijuana becomes more accessible than ever before thanks to voters in many states across the country, its stigma for users is beginning to loosen. Researchers, in fact, are now starting to examine how weed can enhance athletic performance. Here’s what some experts are saying on the subject.

It Can Reduce Inflammation

Muscle and joint inflammation is an issue for athletes, and many studies have found that CBD oil, the nonpsychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana, can provide relief. Athletes who want to enjoy the benefits of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties can do so without smoking pot or getting high by using topical products.

It Can Ease Soreness and Pain

In addition to reducing inflammation, cannabis can also help to ease soreness and pain. This is good news for anyone who wants to avoid the highly addictive opiate painkillers that are so frequently prescribed by physicians. Chronic pain sufferers credit marijuana with not only alleviating their physical discomfort but improving their overall quality of life.

It Can Improve Sleep

Good quality sleep is beneficial to athletic performance. Insomnia is a problem for many people, and THC naturally includes sleep. It has also been shown to suppress dreams, which is a benefit for people who suffer from PTSD. Many prescription sleep aids are habit-forming and have serious side effects. 

It Can Reduce Muscle Spasms

Treating muscle spasms is another area of medical application for cannabis use. People who have conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s have found relief with weed use, and the benefits they enjoy could extend to athletes who are suffering from muscle spasms. This is likely related to the anti-inflammatory properties of marijuana. 

It Can Improve Mental Alertness

Although there is a stereotype of the pot smoker sitting on the couch, idly playing video games, the truth is that marijuana can have positive effects on brain function. Studies with mice showed that low doses of THC improved cognitive function. Many people also credit cannabis with improving their ability to focus. Marijuana reduces anxiety, which can help people achieve a meditative state. This can contribute to an athlete’s success.

Experts who tout the ways marijuana can improve athletic performance also offer these caveats. Smoking pot—or anything else—can cause structural and other damage to the lungs. They also warn against using marijuana to get high and then performing sport activities. Being high can impair motor coordination as well as decision-making abilities. Marijuana use has also shown that it increases the risk of heart attack in the hour after use. It seems clear that although marijuana can be a positive part of any athlete’s ability to perform well, common sense should also be used.

Whether you are a serious athlete or just a weekend warrior, stop at our Denver weed shop to find out more about how pot can improve your performance. At Altitude the Dispensary, we have a wide range of strains, edibles, extracts, and other products, and our knowledgeable budtenders are always happy to help you find the right product. Stop at one of our three Denver locations today!

If you’re like most people, you’ve gotten at least one or two holiday checks from relatives and loved ones that just weren’t sure what to buy you as a gift. They might feel like it’s a copout, but it’s great news for you! You get to choose your own gift and use the money however you see fit. What better way to treat yourself after a stressful holiday season than by stocking up on the best essentials for your smoking kit? Here are a few great gifts that the staff at the best weed shops in Denver use themselves!

A High-Quality Bong
Want to elevate your smoking game? Then ditch that old and battered bong that delivers uncomfortably hard hits. Switch it up with a high-quality gravity bong or water bong that’s easy to clean and a pleasure to use. If you’re not sure what type is best for you, discuss your options with your budtender. They can help you figure out the right options for your smoking style and budget. If you’re not a fan of glass—because, hey…things happen and bongs break—there are silicone models that work just as well. Just make sure you’re investing in a high-quality silicone model. Low grade options are cheap, but they can melt under high heat. That’s right—some of them are cut with plastic and that’s bad news for everyone!

An Inverted Lighter
Even the most experienced smokers burn themselves when lighting bowls on occasion. If you love using your pipe but hate scorching your thumb every time you light up, this inverted lighter is for you. It allows you to position your fingers away from the flame and angles the flame right toward your bowl. You can even use the lighter upside down. It works in any position you need to make your smoking session great. Even better, it’s refillable so you can use it for years without having to worry about replacing it. 

A Good Grinder
Every smoker, no matter how regular or casual, has found themselves in a situation where they had to break up bud by hand. While a knife or a pair of scissors will work, it doesn’t break the bud up enough to expose all the wonderful flavors you’re looking for. If you’re struggling with boring cannabis and want to take your smoking game to the next level, treat yourself to a high-quality grinder. Look for one with stainless steel components for best results. These are easy to clean, last for years, and require almost no maintenance. 

Upgrade Your Stash
After the holidays, you’ll need to replenish all that cannabis that you used to survive the stress. Head to your nearest dispensary location and stock up on some fresh bud, delicious edibles, and helpful tinctures with the money you have leftover. This will let you enjoy all those new gadgets you just acquired more fully.

Stop by Altitude
If you’re looking to stock up on your favorite bud or just want to pick up some pre-rolled goodness, stop by Altitude as soon as you can. We’ve got everything you need to replenish your stash.

The pandemic has changed the way people live their lives. Events keep getting cancelled, work is scarce, and all of the turmoil is starting to increase feelings of anxiety in people who otherwise always felt confident and calm. If you’re one of them, you might be wondering if you can use cannabis from your favorite Denver dispensary to help with anxiety. Believe it or not, a lot of people have seen great results from cannabis use but you need to make sure you’re using it the right way. Here are a few simple things you can do to help maximize your experience and improve the results you see from each dose you take.

Start Small
Contrary to popular belief, cannabis doesn’t always lead to feelings of paranoia and confusion. It can, but most people end up feeling more relaxed after using their favorite products. It all comes down to how much you’re using each time you light up. When you’re trying to use cannabis to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, the best thing you can do is start with the smallest possible dose. You’ll likely see an increase in your feelings of relaxation and won’t have to deal with those annoying flashes of paranoia that happen when you use too much. Remember, if you don’t get the results you want from your initial dose, you can always take a bit more. 

Choose High-CBD Strains
The type of cannabis you take can influence how you feel when you’re high. Many strains with higher concentrations of THC can increase those high feelings and, if you’re not careful, may aggravate your feelings of anxiety. Instead, you may want to look for strains with higher concentrations of CBD. These strains tend to help people feel more relaxed and give you access to more of the beneficial cannabinoids that result in more uplifting emotions. If you’re not sure what to choose, talk to your budtender. They’ll be able to recommend at least a few CBD-heavy products to help you feel better more quickly. 

Get Your Cannabis Legally
Though you can still find cannabis from people in the community, buying it from an individual rather than a licensed dispensary is still illegal. Even for experienced users, buying cannabis illegally can end up increasing your feelings of anxiety and leave you feeling worse than you would without your favorite pot products. Instead, head to your closest dispensary and buy your weed legally. You’ll get great product recommendations and will have access to a wider variety of options than you’d find on the street.

Use Cannabis the Right Way
Dealing with feelings of anxiety during a global pandemic is normal. You shouldn’t feel like you’re the odd person out or feel ashamed of the fact that a stressful situation is making your emotional state different than normal. Though you should always seek professional help if the feelings become overwhelming, incorporating cannabis into your daily routine may be beneficial. Speak to your therapist or doctor and stop by Altitude the Dispensary today.