Essential Tips For The Travelling Stoner
Most of us spend our time smoking at home or in the company of friends, but what if you’re going away on holiday or on a business trip? There are some important factors to take into consideration when smoking away from home, from the legalities of transportation to the protection of your smoking supplies. In this article, we’ll run through how to have the most effective smoke seshes away from home.
1. Understand The Local Laws
Having at least a basic understanding of local laws is essential if you’re going to be traveling with cannabis, and may even impact what smoke supplies you’re able to travel around with. Here in South Africa, while cannabis has been decriminalized, traveling with it is still an easy way to find yourself in trouble with the law. Some cops will let you slide if you just have a few grams on you, while others are less tolerant. We’re in a strange time with our regulation, with the cannabis for private purposes bill laying out some guidelines, but all the important information is still being waited on to be defined by the relevant minister. While there are no legal limits on the amount you can carry, keep it as low as possible to avoid unnecessary legal problems.
Perhaps more essential than our local laws, which we should be aware of anyway, is knowing that you must understand the laws of foreign countries when traveling. For example, it is illegal to carry flowers and smoke supplies in some countries and US states. Before travelling, familiarize yourself with these laws. Whether you choose to obey them or not, is entirely up to you – but at least be aware of the laws and the consequences of breaking them. After all, no one wants to become the next Brittney Griner.
2. Store Your Cannabis Properly
Store your herb in a sealed, smell-proof container. This will not only reduce the risks discussed in point 1 but also help to keep your flower fresh and prevent it from drying out. Airtight, smell-proof, dark containers are the best option, and if you can find one that looks inconspicuous, even better. Don’t just leave it in your center console or the side of your door – this will not only increase the risk of detection but can also expose the flower to light, degrading both cannabinoids and terpenes.
3. Protect Your Gear
Traveling with your own smoke supplies means you need to think about how to protect them during transit. Glass bongs, pipes, and other delicate smoking accessories can be prone to damage, especially during transport. The best way to do this is to use a pelican case. While somewhat pricy, pelican cases can provide a soft interior that can be adjusted to the size of your pieces and a hard exterior that does a great job of protecting it. Pelican cases are best for smaller pieces and aren’t always going to work for larger bongs, which can make finding an appropriate pelican case very expensive.
If you opt to go for the budget route, there are still some good options to choose from.
Bubblewrap is a common choice, but when using it make sure to separate the glass pieces and wrap them several times, ensuring they are not being weighed down on by other items in your car.
4. Know Your Accommodation Rules
Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations around smoking at your accommodation location. While stoners tend not to be strangers to breaking the rules, remember that on the other side is another person like you and I, who have their own preferences and who deserve the same respect we expect when others are in our space. There’s nothing wrong with a sneaky bong outside, even in unpermitted – but avoid smoking in homes where it’s not permitted.
5. Always Carry an Extra Lighter
The golden rule to traveling with bud is to always keep a second lighter on you. We all know how lighters tend to disappear at the worst of times. Don’t find yourself out in nature, hours from a garage, and unable to light up cause you lost your lighter.
6. Clean Your Pieces After Each Use
Quickly rinsing or cleaning your pieces after each use is a good practice when out traveling. Most people keep their luggage to a minimum, and few will want to drag isopropyl alcohol around with them. Rinsing your pieces frequently will help lower the amount of dirt that clings to the glass, making it easier to clean when you get home.
7. Clean Up Your Sesh Area
While we like to associate cannabis culture with environmentally conscious individuals who care about our planet, American legalization has shown us just how devastating cannabis users can be when it comes to their trash. If you’ve used bankies or mylars, make sure to throw them away, or better yet recycle them if you have the option. Additionally, while roaches will decompose over time, having them strewn about isn’t a very positive message to others on the behaviour of our community.
8. Try The Local Flower
Trying different weed while traveling can be an amazing experience. Many dealers get their flower from the same suppliers and you’ve probably noticed the same kind of stuff show up on your local plug’s menu. Different locations mean different growers, and the potential to try entirely new flavours from what you’re used to smoking. Social media, especially Instagram can be a great way to make these connections before your trip, and can often help you find good-quality flower. It’s all about who you know when it comes to sourcing the finest herb.
