Glass pipes are more or less essential in a recreational smoker's arsenal of apparatuses. They come in all shapes, sizes, and forms for different effect and functionality. Smoking out of glass pipes has been the one of the most popular ways to consume pot for decades. Mostly sold in smoke/head shops around the world, pieces are referred to as a way to smoke tobacco. A large amount of people actually do smoke tobacco out of these pieces, but as many of us seasoned stoners know this is just a front for the stores to sell products for illegal use "legally". In traveling from place to place, different smoke shops offer different varieties of pieces depending on the culture surrounding its location.

Some small head shops that are attached to gas stations and quickie marts can offer a surprising amount of pieces and other pot smoking paraphernalia. Every now and then they will pop out of nowhere; you can never be too sure when you might stumble upon on of these. Normally on the cheaper side due to it being a small business attached to another small business, these gas station head shops have a cheap but limited supply. The glass you'll find here is normally not of the best quality, but if you looking for a cheap small piece that you wouldn't mind breaking or ditching if the situation calls for it, this is your place. Some can offer a variety of pieces from bongs and bowls to bubblers and chillums. The best part about getting a piece from a general store smoke shop is that you can buy all your munchies on site in one trip!

On the other hand if you appreciate the craftsmanship involved with creating a glass pipe than a glass blowing specialty head shop might be a better place for you to obtain your goods. Some of these smoke shops refer to themselves as galleries, putting a more art driven spin on the business. Rightfully so, the pieces available for purchase are normally made with better quality materials as well as professional thought and design. The craft of glass blowing is sometimes put on display for the stores patrons on location. At the Bern Gallery in Burlington, VT there is a section at the front of the store where local glass blowing artists complete pieces for anyone to come and watch. The gallery also offers lessons in the art of glass blowing so you can leave with your own hand crafted piece. Along with this option there is also a large inventory of glass pieces up for sale. Some of them are so beautifully crafted it would almost be a shame to smoke out of such pieces. Like artwork you would find in an art gallery, each piece is uniquely different. They range in size from as big as your finger to large vase type pieces. Some even convey a message about society and culture in our present day lives. Of course with quality comes a price, normally the more thought out and elaborate pieces are in this setting the more zero's you will see piling onto the end of the total cost.

So, depending on your situation give both types of stores a look over, you never know what you can find when you walk in the front door.