Everything You Need to Know About 420

13 Fun Facts about Cannabis Culture and How to Smoke Weed 

If you came here to learn what you need to know to be ready for 4/20 – Bloom has you covered. And, if you came here to learn about the best ways to smoke and preserve your weed ahead of the big day, you’ve also arrived at the right spot.

First things first. When it comes to 4/20,it is all about enjoying and spreading the good vibes. So, if your schedule allows, why not start the day by lighting up a Field Trip Pre Roll and adding some flower power to your day. Connect with nature and feel the love.

After that the possibilities are endless. You could head over to your local park and enjoy a chill picnic. Bring some snacks, drinks, and of course some cannabis – but only if you live in a state where the medical or recreational use of cannabis is legal.

If you’re feeling adventurous and live close to Kansas City, you could join us at the Smokey River 420 Fest in River Bend, Missouri. If not, maybe you can kick back at home, light up some of your finest Mary Jane and enjoy one of the movies we recommend in our list of 420 Things to Do on 4/20.

Remember, 4/20 is all about spreading the love and good vibes. And how you do that is completely up to you. That’s why Bloom would like to arm you with some fun weed facts and helpful tips – so you can make the most of your 420 celebration. 

Fun Weed Fact #1: Cannabis Predates the United States of America in North America.

Hemp arrived in Colonial America with the Puritans. At that time, all sea vessels carried hemp seed with them. Back then hemp was used to make a wide range of necessities for what were the British colonies, including canvas, paper, cloth, rope, and sails.

It played such a key role for the economy that in 1619, Jamestown announced an order requiring all farmers to grow hemp. It’s important to note that back then there was no differentiation between the terms, hemp and cannabis. It wasn’t until around 1753 that the scientific term of cannabis was used to describe the hemp plant.

Fun Weed Fact #2: The Founding Fathers Were Hemp Proponents.

The Founding Fathers of the USA were big proponents of hemp and its potential as a cash crop. In fact, George Washington grew it at his Mount Vernon estate. Some say that his interest in separating male from female hemp plants could indicate he was interested in boosting THC levels in his plants.

Fun Weed Fact #3: The Term 420 may have been coined by a group of high school students in California.

Some might tell you that 420 is connected with cannabis because it’s the police code for “marijuana smoking in progress”.  Others might say there’s a connection to the Grateful Dead, and they might be right.

But the origins of the term do not start with the band. This story traces 420 back to five students in Marin County, California during the early 1970s.

It’s said that this group of students at San Rafael High School would greet each other with the  phrase “420 Louie” as code to meet by the Statue of Louis Pasteur at 4:20 pm for a smoke session. They chose 4:20 because all five students were athletes and their practices had usually wrapped up by then. They eventually dropped “Louie” and just went with “4:20”.

Our next fun fact may not be as interesting as the history of 420, but it could be one of the most important tips we have to offer you today.

Fun Weed Fact #4: Storing Weed in Plastic Can Be Harmful to Your Buds Health.

Many dispensaries package their cannabis flower in plastic containers – which do a decent job of keeping air and light out. But, if you’re looking to store your weed in plastic over the long term. That may not be a good idea. Here’s why.

Plastic has a static charge that can affect the trichomes in your weed. Trichomes are those tiny little hair-like structures on your flower and the static charge from plastic can attract those trichomes and cause them to fall off your flower. So, if you plan on storing your cannabis for longer than a few days, you’ll need to find a better option. Airtight ceramic or glass containers are good options.

So, why does it matter if the trichomes fall off your weed? It all comes down to terpenes which are produced inside these magical little “hairs” called trichomes. And the reason why it matters brings us to the next fun fact about weed. 

Fun Weed Fact #5: There’s a Lot More to Determining the Effects of Weed than Just THC.

A common misconception is that the potency of cannabis depends exclusively on the THC percentage. Although the amount of THC is important in determining the potency of your weed, it may not tell you the whole story.

A study by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that higher levels of THC do not necessarily equate to more potent effects. 

Although those who consumed the high-potency concentrates experienced much higher levels of THC in their blood plasma than those given cannabis flower, both experienced similar levels of impairment.

So, if THC percentage alone does not tell you the whole story about the potency of your cannabis, what does? Many believe that it comes down to the cannabinoids and terpene profile found within each strain of cannabis. 

At this point you might be wondering: if chasing high THC percentages isn’t the solution to maximizing the effects of your weed, what is? One option is to try to make the most of the different terpenes and cannabinoids in your marijuana.

Which brings us to the next interesting weed fact. 

Fun Weed Fact #6: Mixing Weed Strains Can Be a Good Thing.

Have you ever considered creating your own hybrid mix of flower? It can certainly feel counterintuitive to do so considering all the information out there telling you to store different weed strains separately.

But by mixing strains of cannabis you give your body and endocannabinoid system access to a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes. By doing so, you could also access the potential health benefits of those extra cannabinoids and terpenes.

The benefits of mixing strains are not just limited to enhancing potential medical benefits.

Recreational users can also mix strains to help manage the potency and effects of their cannabis. For example, if one strain hits too hard, you could mix it with a milder one to smooth out your experience.

Speaking of managing the effects of your weed, did you know that certain foods can enhance your high?

Fun Weed Fact #7: Certain Foods Can Enhance Your Marijuana Experience.

Did you know that what you eat before you partake can impact the effects of your weed?

For example, mangos. Few realize they can enhance the effects of your cannabis. Not only can mangos help to boost your high – but they can also help you feel the effects of your marijuana sooner.

The trick is to enjoy your mango about an hour before your session. By doing so, it can help the cannabinoids pass through the brain-blood barrier more efficiently.

So, what is it about mangos that allows them to do this? It comes down to terpenes. Specifically, the terpene known as myrcene.

Speaking about foods that can enhance your high, have you ever wondered what happens when you mix cannabis with caffeine?

Which brings us to the next tip.

Fun Weed Fact #8: Mixing Caffeine and THC Could Offer Potential Benefits for Some.

The combination of caffeine and THC has been enjoyed since at least 1972. That’s when the first coffee shop, the Mellow Yellow, opened up in Amsterdam. Since then, countless people have enjoyed the calming, yet stimulating, mix of THC and caffeine. They’ve even come up with creative names for the mix, like Hippie Speedball.

In addition to providing a relaxing yet stimulating buzz, it is believed that for some mixing THC and caffeine could result in increased energy, mental alertness, and feelings of relaxation, happiness, and euphoria. Pairing cannabis with coffee has also been said to help people reach a flow state, which can help to inspire creativity and boost mental and physical performance.

It’s important to note that caffeine and THC will impact everyone differently. Since both can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, it may not be right for all – especially those with heart conditions.

If you do decide to try it, it’s important to start with smaller amounts of coffee and cannabis than you would normally consume on their own. Then, if needed, you can increase your dosage slowly.

We just mentioned how the combo of weed and coffee has been referred to as a Hippie Speedball. But that’s not the only significant role Hippies have played in the history of cannabis.

Fun Weed Fact #9: We have the Hippie Trail to thank for many of today’s hybrid strains.

Have you heard of old-school cannabis strains like Acapulco Gold, Maui Wowie, Afghani, or Durban Poison? These strains are known as landrace strains–which are strains of cannabis that have thrived in a certain region for centuries.

Landrace strains have adapted to the climate and growing conditions to the part of the word they’re indigenous to. As a result, they’ve developed unique genetics, flavors, aromas, appearances, and effects.

The thing that makes true landrace strains special is that they have not been crossbred with other types of cannabis. And, it’s this genetic purity and consistency that sets them apart.

As great as these strains were, for a long time only those who lived in the areas where these strains flourished enjoyed their unique flavors and effects. That is, until the Hippie Trail helped change that. 

Back in the 1960s and 70s, travelers along the “Hippie Trail”, enjoyed various landrace strains that were indigenous to various areas along the trail. The trail, also known as the “Hashish” trail, started in western Europe and made its way through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, China, Pakistan, and India.

As travelers enjoyed various strains along the way, they collected seeds of their favorites and brought them home. Once these seeds made their way west to Amsterdam and the U.S, breeders went to work cross-breeding these landrace strains to create many of the popular hybrid strains we enjoy today. 

All this talk about the unique flavors and effects of landrace strains might have you craving some herb. So why don’t we get to the part that many of you came here for: the best ways to roll and light a joint.

How to Roll a Joint

Rolling a joint is one of the most popular ways to enjoy cannabis. All you need are some rolling papers and cannabis flower. Perhaps its simplicity is why it’s one of the most popular ways to smoke marijuana.

If you’re looking to keep your experience as clean and natural as possible, hemp rolling papers could be a good choice – since they’re usually unbleached and free of additives. In addition to that, there are a few optional supplies that can make rolling and smoking your joint easier.

The first is a small strip of card stock paper to create a filter. You may also want to use a grinder to ensure an even consistency of your flower. Although the grinder is optional, we recommend it highly.

Which brings us to our next fun weed fact. 

Fun Weed Fact #10: Using a Grinder Could Boost the Potency of Your Cannabis.

When you break up weed by hand, the tiny little hair-like structures you see on your flower, known as trichomes, can stick to your fingers. Not only can this make rolling the joint more difficult, but you could also end up wasting valuable trichomes.

By using a grinder there’s a much better chance those trichomes will make their way into your joints – and enhance your cannabis experience.

Alright, so let’s say you’ve rolled the perfect joint. Now, you are ready to light it. But after taking the time to get the joint right, you don’t want to mess it up by lighting it the wrong way. What do we mean?

Fun Weed Fact #11: Using hemp wick coated in beeswax to light your joint can help you avoid inhaling butane from a lighter or sulfur from matches.

Best Way to Light a Joint 

Paying close attention to how you light your joint can help to ensure the ultimate smoking experience. If you’re looking for the cleanest way to light your joint, a hemp wick coated in beeswax can help you avoid inhaling butane from a lighter or sulfur from matches.

Using your preferred method of combustion, hold your joint between your thumb and index finger and with the other hand slowly bring the flame about an inch or two away from the end of your joint and allow the twisted end of paper to burn off a bit. 

If there’s excess paper at the end of your joint, try not to inhale the first few puffs. Once your joint is lit, make your first few puffs small and even. Then, look over your joint to make sure it lit evenly. If it doesn’t, one side could burn faster than the other.

If this happens, moisten your finger a bit and gently rub the paper under the side that is lit to slow down the burn. Taking longer hits, where you inhale slowly, can also help your joint burn more evenly.

Our next weed tip involves an affordable way to make sure your glass pipes and bongs stay fresh and clean. 

Fun Weed Fact #12: You Don’t Need to Buy Expensive Cleaning Solutions to Keep your Glass Pipes Clean

If you have access to some isopropyl alcohol, coarse salt, water, and soap then you have all you need to keep your glass pipes and bongs clean. If you don’t have access to alcohol, then some white vinegar and baking soda can also do the trick.

Finally, our last fun weed fact is about the difference between recreational and medicinal cannabis.

Fun Weed Fact #13: The Differences between medical and recreational marijuana comes down to legal classifications.

Medical Marijuana is intended to be used as medicine by those with qualifying conditions. Recreational, or adult-use, marijuana is intended to be used for pleasure or leisure. Besides their intended use, there are other differences between the two including how much you can purchase, taxation, age requirements, and in some states – how much you can grow at home. 

The bottom line is that there really is no physical difference between cannabis that’s labeled medicinal and recreational. They do not come from different types of weed plants. Instead, recreational and medical are just two different legal terms applied to marijuana. 

Looking for Dispensary Deals in Ohio, Missouri, and Maryland?

Whether you’re joining us at Smokey River 420 Fest in River Bend, Missouri, or plan on celebrating at home – we want to make sure your 420 celebration is as dope as it can be.

If you live in Ohio, Missouri, or Maryland, make sure to stop by your local Bloom dispensary to stock up on cannabis flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, vape cartridges and more ahead of the big day. 

Shop Bloom – Your One-Stop Canna Shop ahead of 4/20:

Maryland Bloom Dispensary:

• Bloom – Germantown

Ohio Bloom Dispensaries:

• Bloom – Akron
• Bloom – Columbus
• Bloom – Maumee
• Bloom – Painesville
• Bloom – Seven Mile