Cannabis Hemp Wick and Beeswax: How It Works and How to Use It

What hemp wick is

Hemp wick is twine made from the stalk fiber of industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L. USDA rules define industrial hemp as cannabis with a delta-9 THC concentration of 0.3 percent or less on a dry weight basis. Manufacturers braid the fiber into a cord and coat it in beeswax. Common diameters run from 1 mm to 2 mm. Spools sell in 10 ft, 20 ft, 100 ft, and 200 ft lengths. Some brands wrap the cord around a disposable lighter.

Cannabis Hemp Wick: How to Light a Bowl Without Butane

Why beeswax

Beeswax melts at 62 to 64 degrees Celsius, or 144 to 147 degrees Fahrenheit. The coating holds the braid together, slows the burn, and keeps the flame steady. Uncoated hemp twine frays and burns fast. Beeswax contains no paraffin or petroleum wax.

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How to use it

Pull 2 to 4 inches of wick from the spool.
Hold the tip to a flame until it catches, about 2 to 3 seconds.
Tip the wick to the bowl and draw.
Pinch or snuff the ember against a metal surface to stop the burn.
Trim the charred tip before the next use.

Burn temperature

A hemp wick flame is small and low. A butane lighter and a torch lighter both produce a hotter, more concentrated flame. Published temperature comparisons vary by test method, and no standard test exists. Treat exact numbers from sellers as marketing.

What it does not do

Hemp wick does not remove combustion. Burning cannabis flower still produces smoke, tar, and carbon monoxide. A wick removes the butane jet from the draw. It does not make smoking harmless.