Review of the Head Shop Industry

Anyone who has read the magazine 'High Times' has seen the ads for these legal smoke shops. They are advertised as alternatives to drugs which are currently illegal in the United States such as marijuana. One site claims to be selling 100 pounds of what they call "Hawaiian Gold" a month. One ounce of this stuff as of this writing goes for $49.99. An ounce of illegal marijuana typically goes for more than $100 an ounce.

I have heard mixed results from the use of the legal buds. Some people say they enjoy them while others feel that it gives them a headache. Most do not produce any psychoactive changes besides possibly a feeling of relaxation similar to that enjoyed by tobacco smokers.

Herbal smoking blends are not intended to treat or cure any disease. By law they cannot be marketed as alternatives to illegal street drugs but they are marketed that way regardless. Most of these herbal blends do not contain tobacco. Yet, they may be harmful to one's health and can only be used at one's own risk. Legal buds produce tar and carbon monoxide when smoked. Makers of these products state that people should not drive or operate heavy machinery during or after use.

Wikipedia describes herbal smoking blends as "a plant or combinations of plants intended for smoking." Head shops also sell what they describe as resin or smoking oils. These are intended to add flavor and/or "potency". Sometimes oils and resins are combined to create solid concentrates. Testimonials as to their effectiveness or lack of it could not be verified.

Besides selling herbal blends head shops also sell vaporizers, hookas, herb grinders, rolling papers, blunt wraps, tobacco pipes, herbal smoke boxes, digital scales, "sexual enhancement products, and body jewelry. Customers of these shops are likely to be using illegal substances as well with these products. However, if you go into a brick and mortar head shop they usually forbid you from mentioning any street drug or calling a water pipe a "bong". Shop owners have to do this to stay within the prevailing laws.

Head shops may or may not be for you. If you are not into smoking you may find some beautiful art and jewelry for sale. You may meet like minded people there or a place to hang out for a bit. If you are taking a business minded approach to head shops you can get started working in the industry by visiting here

Head shops will continue to exist in the foreseeable future. It is thought that when illegal drugs such as marijuana become legal, head shops will be one of the first business to be selling it. It should be interesting to see this path of events.