Spots (cannabis)

Spots (also known as "spotting", "dots", "hot knives", or "bladers") [ [http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Cannabis_drug_-_Preparations_for_human_consumption/id/5276282 http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Cannabis_drug_-_Preparations_for_human_consumption/id/5276282] ] are a method of smoking cannabis, a preparation of cannabis resin ["Handbook of Pharmacy Education", Harmen R.J., 2001, Pg 169] . In this method, small pieces of cannabis are rolled (or simply torn from a larger bud) to form the "spot". Generally, the tips of two knife blades are heated, the spot is compressed between the two blades, and the subsequent smoke is inhaled. ["Cannabis use in a drug and alcohol clinic population", McBride A. J. 1994 ] In order to facilitate this process, a "spottle" (also referred to as a "bowser" or "hooter") is used to funnel the smoke and maximize the amount inhaled. A spottle is generally made from a funnel or cone-shaped container, such as the top (or neck) of a plastic or glass bottle. "Understanding street drugs: a handbook of substance misuse for parents, teachers and other professionals", Emmett D. & Nice G. 2006, Pg 41] ["James Bong's Ultimate SpyGuide to Marijuana", Arooka, Pg 186]

"Spotting" worldwide

Although practiced the world over, the spots method of cannabis smoking is most common in New Zealand. [ [http://www.naturalselection.org.nz/s/6b.13_NZPotGuide_pamphlet.pdf Put that in your pipe and smoke it: a travelers guide to smoking pot in New Zealand] ] Possession of knives that have been previously used for spotting (easily distinguished by their blackened and discoloured appearance [ [http://www.everybody.co.nz/page-853942d3-9e56-4a67-b02b-64622fb9abed.aspx Cannabis - what is it, what are its effects? - Everybody - Health Information for New Zealanders ] ] ) is considered "possession of instruments" for drug use and is thus illegal under New Zealand law. If convicted, the accused faces a possible maximum 1-year prison sentence and/or a $500 fine. [ [http://www.police.govt.nz/service/drugs/faq.html Illicit Drugs FAQ - New Zealand Police ] ]

In the United Kingdom, this method of smoking is relatively rare, and appears to be getting rarer. One 1998 survey of regular UK cannabis users put usage of the "hot knives" technique at only 1.3%, down from 5.2% in 1984 ["Regular Users: Self reported drug consumption patterns and attitudes towards drugs among 1333 regular cannabis users", Atha Mathew J., 1998, Pg 49] .

In Canada this method is mainly used with hashish and is somewhat common.

In the United States this method is relatively rare, but is found on the West Coast and in parts of South Florida. It is referred to as ""knifers"", "knife rips"", or ""knife hits"". It is commonly used to smoke marijuana as well as hashish, or even resin. The term ""hitter"" is used more commonly than '"hooter"" when referencing the smoke funnel, but, the either one is commonly accepted.

When smoking alone, one can still take knifers by practicing the ""commando knife rip"" formula. Deriving from the word commando, i.e. wearing no underwear -> wearing nothing -> using nothing -> not using a hooter or hitter -> smoking right off the knife blades. The person taking the commando knife hit places the drug on the hot knives, then burns the drug as close as they can to their lips without burning them, while inhaling. A practice that should only done by master knife hitters, taking commando knife rips is a very dangerous method of smoking marijuana and should only be attempted after years taking knife rips in general.

Spotting in popular culture

Spotting has been featured in the popular New Zealand television series, Back Of The Y, in their "drugs special", and also in the lyrics of the locally successful bogan rock band, Deja Voodoo [ [http://www.sweetslyrics.com/456894.Deja%20Voodoo%20-%20Weed%20On.html "where are the knives with the handles made of bone?" Deja Voodoo - Weed On] ] .

The practice has also made multiple appearances (referred to as hot knives) in the popular Canadian television series, Trailer Park Boys (specifically S1E1 at 6min30sec and S4E1 at 1min30sec).

Indie rock band Bright Eyes has a song on their 2007 album "Cassadaga" titled "Hot Knives".

Health issues

Users spotting cannabis are susceptible to all the associated health risks of other methods of smoking cannabis. Spotting cannabis oil or resin is thought to be particularly harmful to the lungs, as the smoke comes off the oil at such a high temperature. [ [http://www.healthaction.org.nz/Dope_Tips_II.htm Dope Tips II dope tips, reducing cannabis related harms, tips for safer use of cannabis use in nz, using marijuana ] ] . One possible way of minimizing the risks of spotting marijuana is using cooler knives, leading to the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being vapourised rather than the entire plant matter being burned [ [http://www.norml.org.nz/article459.html NORML New Zealand, working for marijuana law reform - vaporising & spotting ] ] . Some users also fill the lower half of the spottle with ice (that stays in place by being frozen to the edges of the spottle), leading to a cooler smoke that is less harsh on the lungs ["Making bongs with less" published in [http://www.ucsa.org.nz/83.html Canta] Magazine, Issue 13, 2007, Cliché Guevara (pseudonym)] .

Care must be taken not to touch the side of a plastic spottle with a hot knife when inhaling spots, as burning plastic gives off many toxic chemicals ["Plastics Materials and Processes, a Concise Encyclopedia", Harper Charles A., 2003, Pg 564-565] , including (in the case of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics) dioxin [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_/ai_72297208 "Dioxin: A Universal Toxin — Part 1", Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2001, Williams Rose Marie] ] , a carcinogen. For this reason, many smokers prefer to use a glass spottle.

A 1998 joint submission by the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Science on the recreational and medical use of marijuana expressed concern about the use and dissemination of the "hot knives" technique. The submission speculated that increasing use of methods of smoking that enable massive inhalation (and therefore higher intake of cannabinoids) may lead to an increase in incidents of short-term cannabis-related mental disturbance. ["The Use of Cannabis and its Derivatives for Medical and Recreational Purposes", joint submission by the Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Science to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, 1998, Pg 8]

Notes and references