The Art of the Pumpkin Bong

by Kayla Johnson

It’s Halloween time, folks! Just about every shop and store has had all things Halloween out for weeks, and many dispensaries are no different. Fall-themed edibles have been popping up all over the state, and even some of the glass offered in dispensaries and head shops have taken on a more Autumn theme than the past few months. It’s to be expected, of course: we love holidays here in America, and Halloween is a big one for a large portion of the country. Oklahoma is no different, and this year, just under 200,000 patients will be legal for their fright night festivities. While there’s no shortage of Halloween-themed edibles that could easily be made, there’s one particularly festive method of medicating that shouldn’t be overlooked: the pumpkin bong.

There are a few different ways to make a pumpkin bong, and while the most basic method doesn’t require anything besides a downstem and a bowl, you can make it as complex or funky as you’d like. How big or small your pipe turns out depends entirely on, of course, the size of the pumpkin, and I feel obligated to warn you: If you pick a big pumpkin…be prepared for big hits if you’re not careful (not that I learned that lesson myself, or anything). Some people choose to put water inside, like you would with a traditional bong, while others simply use it as a dry pipe. While the water does, of course, add smoothness, it’s extremely important to note that the water will not only cut down on the life of your pumpkin bong dramatically, but because it’s within the pumpkin, there’s a higher risk of bacteria and other nastiness forming, so be cautious, and make sure to keep an eye on the state of your pumpkin piece. While these are meant for a single day or night’s use and not something that can be made days in advance, they are a fairly easy project that can add another layer of fall spirit to your session, and for Halloween gatherings with a ‘bring-your-own-medicine’ rule, it can be a great party addition for guests to medicate with their own stash as they wish. 

What you need:

Pumpkin of choice

Glass downstem and bowl

Mouthpiece if desired  (you can use the mouthpiece from a broken bong, or even use a straw, if you’d prefer)

Carving tools – I used the usual carving kit from pretty much any grocery store

Marker – I used a washable one that wiped away easily.

1. Prep your pumpkin: Give it a quick wipedown, and mark out where you’ll be putting your downstem and mouthpiece holes. For the downstem, try to get it on the side of the pumpkin, going at a 45 degree angle towards the bottom. As for the mouthpiece, it’s wherever you feel comfortable putting it in relation to the downstem, preferably towards the top, but not too far up. NOTE: If you’re using the mouthpiece/neck from a bong, make sure you pick a pumpkin that’s slightly taller, so that there’s plenty of room. 
2. Cut away:  After selecting your favorite one, carefully cut the top, with your knife at an angle to help the seal be as clean and close as possible. Clean the inside out as usual, making sure to get as much of the ‘guts’ as possible. 
3. Place downstem: This part can be a little bit tricky. When you carve out the hole for your downstem, make sure you leave the bottom of the opening at an angle, to keep the downstem pointed down as it should be, and take care not to cut the hole too large. 
4. Figure out the mouthpiece: If you’re using a bong piece for the mouthpiece, carefully cut the hole, and push the mouthpiece into place. If you’re using a straw, or simply cutting a hole in the side to use (like I did), use a screwdriver to puncture your pumpkin, more than once if needed until you have the opening you prefer.

Once you’ve got your downstem and mouthpiece in place, you’re almost done. Place the top back on your pumpkin (after adding water, if you’d prefer), and put your filled bowl in place. After making sure you have as good a seal as you can with the lid, it’s time to light up something besides the jack-o-lanterns.