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Well-Heeled Potheads Ditch Joints

Top-end vaporizer becomes smokin' status symbol

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2010 4:33 AM CST

(Newser) – Joints are beginning to go the way of the dodo at the ritzier end of the pothead market. The Volcano Vaporizer—a smokeless inhalation device fans call the Mercedes Benz of getting stoned—resembles a cappuccino machine and sells for $700. Its maker, publicity-shy German design firm Storz & Bickel, created the device with input from an MIT student who claimed to have found the safest way to inhale marijuana.

Volcano fans say the high is not only healthier, but much purer. “For people who are experienced smokers, the Volcano is different. It’s like describing the bouquet of a wine," one user, a California lawyer, tells the Daily Beast. "It tastes better—you can actually taste the flavors, as opposed to just tasting smoke. You can taste the herbal essences.”

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

The Volcano Vaporizer is also used for aromatherapy, although most customers tend to use it for THC delivery. (Wikipedia)

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There’s a veneer of sophistication to it. This is not your daddy’s bong.
- Allen St. Pierre, executive director of marijuana advocacy group NORML

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 31 comments

passinthru

Feb 11, 2010 7:44 AM CST

not only that but its a totally different high as well. i dont get floored like i do when smoking it, but knowing how bad inhaling any smoke, along with my heart problems, the volcano is an easy choice for smoke alternatives...regardless of price.

blues_junky

Feb 11, 2010 6:11 AM CST

You lucky bastid, you.....

professortech

Feb 11, 2010 5:08 AM CST

Muddy Waters ...Great song "Champaign and refer",,, saw him in chicago in a tiny blues club when he did this song ...It was the middle of Januarym 10 below outside but that joint was smokin' Sorry straight newser fans just sharin' a flashback....yeah there are vaporizer pipes also...cost much less but just work about the same. Don't forget to get a kitchen herb grinder to create a uniform smoking substance...FYI

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Well-Heeled Potheads Ditch Joints