"QuickStiQ" - an Affordable, Simpler Way to Dab Hash Oil / BHO & Other Cannabis Extracts - Product Review

The QuickStiQ Hash Oil Pipe

The QuickStiQ is a nifty glass pipe design that simplifies the 'dabbing' process. Any number of cannabis extracts can be vaporized using the QuickStiQ - BHO, shatter, wax and even traditional hash.

As a connoisseur of cannabis in its many guises, I am a fan of well prepared extracts and the increasingly intricate devices used to enjoy them. But doing 'dabs' of hash oil - with the requisite glassware, blowtorch, 'nail' and dab-stick, is so complicated it can detract from the relaxation of the hash experience.

'Dabs' are tiny amounts of highly concentrated cannabis extract which are vaporized (not burned). The active ingredients are turned into a vapor which is inhaled and enjoyed - all without burning anything. Nothing is burned - so nothing is smoked - which is why 'dabbing' can occur indoors, at dispensaries and such, while outright smoking is generally prohibited.

QuickStiQ - Available from Peoplez Champz, NW Cannabis Market

How It Works:
The QuickStiQ is heated with a butane cigar lighter (or small blow torch) for about 5 seconds until hot. The glowing hot end of the QuickStiQ is then dabbed into the heat-proof Oil Slick container holding the cannabis extract. This is done quickly and gently - and the resulting vapor/smoke is inhaled through the mouth-end of the QuickStiQ.

The double bubble s-trap design protects against melted extract migrating into the mouth of the unsuspecting consumer.

The Oil Slick container is made with medical grade silicone that will not stick to the ooey-gooey gunky texture of even the stickiest hash oil extracts.

Oil Slick Container

Our Experience:
Learning the correct timing and technique of heating the end of the QuickStiQ took a little practice - and getting the temperature correct is vital for a consistent experience with extracts. The end result of this was that the same extract could taste floral and inhale smoothly at one temperature and be generally disagreeable at other temperatures (see note below).

A few dabs of the BHO extracts we sampled with the QuickStiQ were sufficiently potent for even the most medicated members of our tasting group. Smoking high quality marijuana is like drinking beer or wine - but doing dabs is more like doing shots. With up to 3x the concentration of active ingredients, these hash oil extracts pack a punch.

The glassware and especially the required blowtorch style lighter was off-putting to some members of our tasting group who likened the whole experience to smoking crack cocaine. Others disagreed, and pointed to the decorative colored designs on the side of the QuickStiQ.

Heating the QuickStiQ with Mini Blow Torch

A Note on Dabbing & Vaporizing Temperature:
Regardless of whether you are using a vape pen, a traditional dab set-up with nail, a vaporizer like the Volcano (R) or a QuickStiQ - the temperature of whatever is vaporizing the cannabis extract is of vital importance. Temperature will impact not only flavor and smoking quality (ie - harshness) but will impact the subjective quality of the 'high' by changing the chemistry of some of the numerous cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis extract.

THC vaporization temperature: ~ 365 degrees F (185 C).
Tip: a plausible range to aim for with the QuickStiQ is ~350-390 F
THC combustion temperature: ~445 degrees F [Anything higher and you are just smoking a pipe]

Overview:
Overall, the QuickStiQ is an innovative way to enjoy the increasingly broad array of cannabis extracts with minimal investment, good portability and functionality. Hash Oil Rigs can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. This well designed product delivers an experience similar to far more complex (and expensive) systems.

The downside of the QuickStiQ is, well, the blowtorch. But as dabbing has gained popularity, an array of specialty style blow-torch lighters are widely available.

The QuickStiQ is available in a variety of colors from the Peoplez Champz booth at the Galaxy NW Cannabis Market. Note that NWCM is a medical marijuana access point that requires all visitors to be current Washington State Authorized Medical Marijuana patients.

(C) 2014 Stoner Living Blog
 

Peoples Champz Pecan Pie from NW Cannabis Market - Product Review w/ Wine Pairings

One of the highlights of any trip to the NW Cannabis Market is visiting The Champ, at his
Peoples Champz booth located right inside the front door. The Champ offers a variety of medible alternatives including juice, medicated chocolates from Canna Girl and more.

Peoples Champz Edibles offer flowers too - at amazingly discounted prices given the quantity. And it's rumored that these guys are behind the legendary Illmatic strain.

Peoples Champz Edibles - Medicated Pecan Pie

These are a classic Southern rendition of pecan pie with crispy crust, candied pecans and that gooey filling holding it all together. The cannabis flavor was unmistakably present to the initiated, but not in a bad way. Medibles should have a distinguishable cannabis flavor, primarily for safety's sake - but they must be tasty too.

These single servings are the right size - but don't be tempted to double up because they are so delicious. And these pies are exquisitely tasty, but psychoactive.

Pecan Pies as Medicine
My sweetie is recovering from shoulder surgery. The surgeon gave him a script for oxycodone - which was particularly good when the nerve blocker pump ran out - but medical marijuana is allowing him to use a surprisingly small amount of pain medicine. Rest and recuperation is imperative after surgery, so medical marijuana like these Peoples Champz pecan pies are perfect. Medibles are particularly useful for highly active patients who may otherwise resist medical orders for rest & recuperation.

The Champ's Blackberry Flowers

But I'm Not Sick - How Can I Enjoy These Pies?
In the future, we hope the WSLCB will figure out how to integrate existing legitimate enterprises like Peoples Champz into the new recreational model and these top-notch pies could be available outside of the medical market. Until then, WA medical marijuana patients should be aware of significant impending changes which could make things very ugly about a year from now.

But let's assume everyone decides to get along - how would a marijuana infused pie like this fit into the culinary landscape?

The Champ's pies are a perfect choice to accompany a holiday meal complete with turkey and all the trimmings. Or these pies could make a simple Sunday dinner special. Just be sure to designate drivers and make sure nobody nods off into the collards.

It's easy to pair medicated pecan pies like these with wine for a special event. We recommend muscat or an ice-wine for marijuana aficionados seeking something sweeter. A dry sparkling choice like a Procecco would provide an interesting texture contrast; for a sweeter bubbly, pair with an Asti. Calvados, a brandy, is the choice for those seeking to impress or just looking for something harder.

The Champ can be found at the Rainier 'Galaxy' medical marijuana farmers market.



(c) 2014 Stoner Living Blog