just a concern about my local headshop.

[TheMetal1]

woah you guys got it bad where ever you live..im use to rolling joints in a few of the head shops i go to.

Yeah... well... my dad could beat up your dad :wtf:

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

I was TOLD !, in no uncertain terms, to "get out!!" at a headshop/record store in Chico a couple years back ... I asked to see their 'bongs' :wtf: ... the teenie counter girl (with the hairy armpits):wtf: went beserk :wtf: ... I was so embarrassed ... yeah, I left quietly, she kinda scared me, anyway ... :jointsmile:

That's just insane. What, are you supposed to say "excuse me, could I see one of your glass plant vases?" Selling a bong isn't illegal, just filling it with cannabis is. Headshops here at least have some spirit; selling books on legalzing cannabis, how to grow it ect, not just filling a market niche while acting ashamed of the culture they supposedly support.

[TheMetal1]

What, are you supposed to say "excuse me, could I see one of your glass plant vases?"

My shop insists that you refer to it as a "Water pipe." We are allowed to say things like bowl, papers, rolling tray... basically any wording that does not have a mainstream association with smoking Cannabis.

The term bong, while having a definition that can include the term "water pipe," is mostly understood as a device to smoke bud. If you look for a definition, probably more than 50% would have the term marijuana in it. Water pipe, however, is simply that. A pipe that holds water in it.

My basic school of thought... if you wouldn't feel comfortable saying the term in front of a police officer, don't say it in a headshop. I would have no problem if a cop overheard me saying "Damn, I have to go pick up that water pipe before they close." Likewise, I would NOT say "Damn, I have to go pick up that bong before they close."

When business owners run their store on the borders of legality (having overtly themed merchandise or equipment to use illegal substances) they HAVE to protect themselves. The way they do that, is limit the language that can be used while in the store. They don't care what you do after you buy it... Hell they KNOW what you do after you buy it. :jointsmile:
All it takes is ONE undercover officer to go into the shop and ask for a "phat new bong," and have the cashier say... "Hells yeah, check this one out. It will FUUUUCK you up."

Game over... store closed...

[jayson]

Yeah... well... my dad could beat up your dad :wtf:

YOU'RE ADOPTED. sorryifyouactuallyareididntmeanit.

[IrieIrie]

when we go to ours, just to keep ourselves out of any trouble we're just like "yeah i need the thing for the you know, the thing..." and they'll know what your saying and they'll start showin you everything under the sun lol.

[ATrain]

Around here is depends on the shop and the person serving you. I've seen people working there tell other customers that their products are only for tobacco use and aren't intended for anything else. Other shops though I've talked openly about weed with the owners.

It seems like it is all a question of the specific situation. At least in Ontario :jointsmile:

[cygnustaxt]

yeah damn that first ammendment, freedom of speech my ass. Damn big brother always beathing down my mo fuckin back. Thats retarded that the gov't gets suspiscious when they look at the tape and hear someone talking about weed or marijuana. I mean I know cops are dumb and all, I'm sure they know exactly why people buy bongs or 'water pipes'. I know that the stores are just covering their asses, which makes sense, but almost everyone ESPECIALLY cops know exactly what a 'water pipe' is used for. I dont see how just calling it something else will help. A different name doesn't hide its actual use.

[stinkyattic]

...

[Sir Bliss]

That's just insane. What, are you supposed to say "excuse me, could I see one of your glass plant vases?" Selling a bong isn't illegal, just filling it with cannabis is. Headshops here at least have some spirit; selling books on legalzing cannabis, how to grow it ect, not just filling a market niche while acting ashamed of the culture they supposedly support.

At my local shop there are signs above the bongs saying "THESE ARE CALLED TUBES" in big red lettering.

:wtf: If that's the way it's gotta be, then so be it. But come on...tubes?

[NextLineIsMine]

Yeah most head shops are like that. Their clerks will give you a bemused understanding look but wont openly talk about weed