What is a Thai Stick? And How Do I Smoke It?

Cannabis and its consumption is a pretty simple industry. It hasn’t gained or experienced much loss ever since it was introduced in writing by a Chinese emperor. Because all you need is the weed and a flame to burn it. Relatively straightforward, right? Of course, the consumption of cannabis can also be as profound as the legendary Thai stick, which is the center of our discussion. The amazing and unique thing about marijuana is that the whole process rests on the individual taking it. Be it simple or complicated; the choice is yours.

Since time immemorial, there have been new methods for the consumption of cannabis. You may decide to make use of a bong, pipe, or roll it into a joint. Yet, for persons looking for a more exotic and unique way to smoke your weed, you may choose to adopt the “Thai stick.”

I guess you haven’t heard of this before, because it is not as popular as others. Even some believe that the Thai stick refers to the tantalizing Thai Sativa landrace strain that grows on the hills of the northern part of Thailand. While this may be shocking, it is a fact. The high potency sativa strains used to make a Thai stick have their origin from Thailand. We will take a look into the history of this stick and how you can make Thai sticks.

What is a Thai Stick?

The term Thai stick (otherwise known as the Buddha stick) refers to a unique method of making a sativa blunt by skewering seedless cannabis buds on a stem then further wrapping it with threads of marijuana. After this, the blunt is then dipped in cannabis oil to increase the potency boost.

The flower is filled and firmly packed with the leaves sealed as soon as the wrap is done. Most Thai sticks are dipped in concentrates and further topped off with kief to achieve that potent finishing touch.

When smoking it, the bamboo stick is removed, first of all, then the remaining hole allows for an optimal airflow and efficient burning.

History

Generally, marijuana has a long history of recorded use in Thai culture. Indigenes were residing in Thailand all cultivated marijuana in their various gardens. It was seldom used as fiber for clothing, treating different sicknesses, and as a spice in traditional dishes (till date, it is used as one of the significant ingredients when cooking traditional Thai boat noodle soups).

Thai sticks first gained massive popularity in the late ’60s and early ’70s, initially being smuggled into the United States of America by Vietnam War veterans. At the end of the war, the entire supply chain of this substance was created. During that time, as some may suspect, Thai sticks were dipped into opium, and this is different from today's practice, where the sticks are dipped into cannabis concentrates before being sprinkled with kief.

After some decades, towards the ’80s, how Thai sticks were supplied into the United States of America lost its vigor and slowly passed out. Until the resurgence and the encroaching acceptance of cannabis, as well as the unknown cannabis connoisseur that goes by the name “afgoo head,” Thai sticks have been able to locate their way back into the fold.

How a Thai Stick is made

Making a Thai stick requires labor-intensive work that demands careful attention to details, good hand-eye coordination, and ample time. If you plan to make one, make sure to prepare the following items:

• Bamboo stick or a chopstick
• Cannabis flower
• Hemp string
• Fan leaves
• A small stick or toothpick
• A fridge and a range
• A parchment paper

First of all, you need to coat the bamboo or chopstick with cannabis oil. You are to press the buds around the bamboo stick while wrapping it with Hemp string to keep it firm and in place. Using fluffy buds will allow for an optimal level of air flow upon the completion of the Thai stick. As soon as the bamboo stick is firmly tied at both ends, you wrap it up with parchment paper and keep it in the fridge for some days.

After a few days, you should unwrap the parchment paper and unravel the hemp string while keeping the pressed bud in its place. In addition, you may need to coat the stick again with oil then wrap it with prepped and washed fan leaves. If possible, repeat this process two more times to total three layers of leaves around the Thai stick.

Next in line is the final wrapping of the Thai stick in parchment paper, but this time, you should insert it into a pan and heat it at a low temperature for some seconds. This is solely for the oil to permeate and blend with all the layers. After some seconds, you are expected to remove the parchment paper and rewrap the hemp string.  Finish off by putting the Thai stick in a plastic bag and preserve it in the fridge for a week. As it was the custom in ancient years, the Thai stick would be buried to be cured for not more than three months before being ready to smoke. During this stage, the option to coat the exterior part of the Thai stick in concentrate is considered a free game, and it is always a bonus to sprinkle some kief for the excellent measure.

How to Smoke a Thai stick

Like the canna cigars, some Thai sticks are slow-burning and sometimes take up to an hour or more to burn through a quarter inch.

Like cigars, Thai sticks may be lit and treated like a cigar by inhaling only when the stick has been lit. An individual may choose to use a torch, an effective method; however, using a lighter or hemp wick works the same. Ensure the end of the Thai stick is lit and hot before inhaling. Smoking this substance can be a more luxurious and potent experience that can provide a unique diversion from the popular methods for smoking cannabis.