If you live in a state full of dispensaries or medical cannabis stores, you might not have a lot of first-hand experience with the classic smoke shop. For many decades, smoke shops were the only retail outlets across most of the United States that sold products like pipes, bongs, and other devices for enjoying cannabis. Of course, they didn’t carry any cannabis themselves.
Now that legalization has changed the market regarding cannabis related gear in many states, the humble head shop is largely found in states that still restrict the sale of marijuana. Explore how these shops exploded onto the scene in the late 60s, what they still sell today, and how they compare to the modern dispensary.
Use Our Dispensary Map to get everything you need from a smoke shop.
Smoke Shops vs Dispensaries
Smoke shops specialize in selling cannabis accessories and lifestyle items like t-shirts, posters, and novelty items. However, they’re not generally licensed to sell cannabis, even in states where recreational sales are legal. They existed long before dispensaries became common and are still widely found in states without medical or recreational cannabis outlets. The earliest smoke shops, also known as head shops, date back to around 1966 or even earlier.
These stores focus on selling cannabis gear and smoking supplies like:
- Rolling papers
- Grinders for flower
- Devices that assist in rolling or packing cannabis and tobacco
- Storage containers to maintain humidity and control smell
- Cannabis plant growing supplies in some cases
- Other legal intoxicants like kratom, kava, nitrous oxide, and amyl nitrate
- Bongs, bubblers, pipes, vaporizers, and other devices
- Scales for weighing small amounts of cannabis
- Lighters and torches for concentrates.
Types of Smoke Shops
Some smoke shops double as vape shops, so they’ll also sell vaping devices and the juices used in them. In many states, smoke shops have begun carrying hemp-based products containing THCA or Delta-8 to expand their range without dabbling in actual cannabis sales. You’ll also generally find a mix of other novelty items like cannabis-themed t-shirts, blacklight posters, 60s nostalgia gifts, and even adult toys in these stores. Other smoke shops lean more towards tobacco sales, carrying cigars, imported cigarettes, and hookah pipes. It’s always possible that a smoke shop in a state with legal marijuana is a dispensary that simply prefers to use a more old-fashioned name.
Legality of Smoke Shops
In general, smoke shops are legal in most states because they carry cannabis paraphernalia rather than marijuana itself. However, a Supreme Court ruling in 1973 determined that local communities were allowed to ban the establishment of these kinds of stores under the First Amendment. That means that not every town hosts a smoke shop. However, it’s not illegal to shop at one of these stores even if there are local prohibitions against opening the business. It’s only something that would affect the business owner, not you as a shopper. As long as the shop isn’t selling anything illegal to sell in that state or county, you’re free to shop there without concern.
Well-Known and Legendary Smoke Shops Across the US.
The Cupboard in Cincinnati, Ohio, is believed to be the oldest still-operating smoke shop in the United States. It was converted into a shop selling cannabis accessories in 1966. Other sources credit the Psychedelic Shop of Haight Street in San Francisco as the very first head shop to open in the US in January 1966. Denver’s Hemp Haven and Los Angeles’ Smoke Tokes both cover over 10,000 square feet each as some of the country’s largest smoke shops.
If you’re looking for more great options for a smoke shop near me, explore our dispensary map. You’ll find all sorts of cannabis-related businesses in your area that you might have overlooked.
FAQs About Smoke Shops
What can you buy in a smoke shop?
Each smoke shop is unique, but most of them carry devices for smoking cannabis and tobacco, along with other accessories.
Is a smoke shop like a vape shop?
Some locations are both vape and smoke shops, but not all vape stores carry items like cannabis pipes or bongs.
How long have smoke shops been around?
The earliest smoke shops appeared in the United States around 1966.
Why do some smoke shops limit what terms you can use?
In areas where cannabis still isn’t legal, smoke shops may require you to avoid using terms that refer to it in order to avoid being charged under local paraphernalia laws.
Do you have to use cash in a smoke shop?
Some smoke shops can’t accept credit or debit cards due to banking restrictions on their products, so bringing cash is usually a good idea.
Explore Flavor Fix for more information on great dispensaries and smoke shops in your area.
