What is Thai Stick? (Complete Guide)

The artistry and skill that goes into many traditional cannabis products is something that all cannabis enthusiasts can get excited about. Within these traditions, we can see the rich and rebellious patchwork that makes up this multifaceted culture centered around a love and respect for the cannabis plant. 

Thai sticks have remained one of the most celebrated methods of experiencing cannabis, withstanding the tests of time and prohibition. In recent years, cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand, paving way for a strong comeback of the Thai stick. 

This delicate and intoxicating product is one of the most famous ancient ways of enjoying weed. It combines hash, flowers, and hemp wick leaves through an extensive and careful process to yield the ultimate cured and delicious cannabis cigar-like cannabis joint. 

This article will cover the curious history of Thai weed products, how they are made, and some simple tips to know before lighting up your first stick. 

The Thai stick’s story begins in Thailand

Though there are limited records of where Thai sticks were first developed, it’s been confirmed to trace back to Thailand’s northern and Lao regions. Cannabis was brought to Thailand centuries ago from India, where cannabis cultivars were abundant and thriving. 

When it came to cannabis use in Thailand, the two most common methods of consumption were Thai stick strain or bamboo stick, which later inspired bongs and water pipes. Both of these innovations would influence so much about the world’s relationship with this medicinal plant. 

Thai sticks were brought to the United States after the Vietnam War, when soldiers were introduced to this popular way of consuming ganja by way of the Thai hill tribes.

This revolutionized the American cannabis experience. The techniques used to cultivate and craft Thai sticks far surpassed any other techniques used in the United States, making thai sticks the most potent, flavorful, and sophisticated option available. This was before the time of seedless (feminized) cannabis plants, trichome-heavy cultivars, and high-tech extractions. Some makers may add potency to their Thai sticks, gluing the wrap leaves with concentrate or dipping the whole thing in cannabis oil or kief.

This vast difference in quality and experience was also reflected in cost and demand. What sold in Thailand for $3.00 a kilogram was worth almost $4,000.00 in the US. It is estimated that roughly 1,000 tonnes of cannabis were shipped from Thailand to the US between 1968 and 1972. 

Thai sticks fade into the smoke of cannabis lore: the decline and resurgence

The 1970’s marked a turning point as the US government began to unleash fury on the cannabis trade, stoking the embers of the war on drugs. Shifts in regulations caused a slow decline in access to Thai sticks, making it a rarity worldwide. 

As the global cannabis market grows legally once again, we are beginning to see many artisans come back to retell the stories and practices of age-old cannabis traditions, like hash and cannabis cigars. There is a newfound respect for the skill and time it takes to master these traditional practices to yield some of the most unique and incredible ways to experience cannabis.  

Modern cannabis artisans and extractors love to combine traditional techniques with the chemistry and technology of other industries to make some of the most over-the-top shelf products you can imagine. One of the most honorable and beloved of these practices is proper blunt and Thai stick rolling. 

How Thai sticks are made

Though some traditional Thai sticks may have also included some opium resin, many were strictly made from cannabis byproducts: hash oil, resin and high-quality flowers. 

The process begins with rolling a bamboo skewer in hash oil, sugar water, parchment paper or other cannabis extracts, depending on the desired potency. Broken-up flowers (1-2 g) are gathered and packed around the stick as tightly as possible, avoiding any gaps. 

Using a hemp string, generously wrap the whole bundle with hemp leaves or fan leaves pulled from the fresh cannabis plant. In the final preparation stage, the weed stick is coated in any combination of concentrate or kief. A final layer of fan leaf is added to complete the weed stick, along with a hemp string to secure it while curing. 

Curing can take slightly longer depending what method is used. After 24 hours curing in cold temperatures, the bamboo skewer can be removed. Additional layers of fan leaf and cannabis concentrate can be added over the course of three days, or all three layers can be added at the same time. The benefit of longer time intervals between wraps is that you will develop a more evenly coated and smooth smoking cannabis experience. 

When the Thai stick is almost complete, it is exposed to heat for a short duration, ensuring that the concentrates spread evenly and seal the leaves. At this point a Thai stick is ready to smoke, however some opt to let it cure further. Traditional Thai methods involved sealing the sticks underground for up to a month of curing. 

Today’s Thai stick weed products

In the contemporary cannabis landscape, creators like Afgoo_head draw inspiration from the old-school practice of wrapping the cannabis around a stick to craft new, purely cannabis cigars, using hemp leaves and twine creating a hybrid of the two processes. 

Many of these cannabis hobbyists have taken to social media to share techniques and connect within this niche cannabis community. These online platforms serve as a hub for open-source knowledge and skill trades for cannabis manufacturers and hobbyists. Some of these folks have built successful canna-cigar businesses, bringing Thai sticks and inspired products back to the modern market. 

Are Thai sticks different from cannabis cigars?

When broken down to their ingredients, there is not that much difference between Thai sticks and cannabis cigars. At their most basic, these are products made out of infused cannabis flowers that have been wrapped in fan leaves. 

The fundamental differences lie within how they are made. Thai sticks require an outer hemp string to create their bound and textured shape. Cannabis cigars will often use a wooden skewer to create an inner hole, much like a cigar punch hole or the bamboo in a Thai stick. This aids in airflow, allowing smoke to mesh together and burn smoother. 

Another distinction that sets Thai sticks apart is the type of flower used to make them. Purists may opt for Thai sticks produced with only landrace strains - to stay true to the original techniques. Cannabis cigars can have almost any hybrid or modern strain, while an authentic Thai stick will be made with strains originating in Thailand and south-east Asia. 

How to properly smoke a Thai stick

When smoking a Thai stick there are few things you must keep in mind. Before lighting it, always unwrap the hemp cord and remove any remaining stick in the center of the Thai stick weed. Then, similarly to a classic cigar, light the end of it and only inhale smoke once the end is sufficiently lit but you can also ignite it with a lighter or hemp wick.

If you want to elevate your Thai stick smoking experience, selecting Thai sticks made with specific types of flower and concentrate can intensify or calm your high, depending on their THC content and other active plant compounds present. 

Strains like Hindu Kush may leave you feeling more slow and sedated, while strains like Chocolate Thai will leave you creative, stimulated and energized. Finding Thai sticks with landrace strains is an extra special experience, as these are some of the oldest mother strains used in traditional Thai sticks and hashish.

Selecting a Thai stick that has been properly cured is sure to give you the best and most authentic experience. Whether it has been slow-cured in refrigerated storage or underground, slow-cured Thai sticks are an experience every cannabis lover must try! Thai sticks remain a symbol of the artistry and dedication that defines cannabis culture. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Thai stick slang for?

The sticks are cigars containing marijuana that is very potent in Thailand.

What kind of weed is Thai stick?

Thai is the term for marijuana, which originated in Thailand natively and was introduced in the United States during the 70s and 80s. Pure sativans are known as “Thai sticks” for their dried and knotted buds and are traditionally wrapped in sticks.

What is the difference between Cannagar and Thai stick?

Thai Stick is still the original cannagar. It can be traumatic for some who are trying to create a Thai stick to experience cannabis's effects.

What are the effects of Thai stick?

These strains have been proven to improve mental and physical health, creativity, and productivity.