How to Reduce the Risk of Bacterial and Viral Infections When Using Cannabis

Many cannabis users enjoy consuming the plant and related products in the company of friends and acquaintances. In many cases, smoking is a social activity, involving the sharing of joints, pipes, or other smoking devices. People around the world often prefer to use cannabis in such settings, citing its stimulating and pro-social effects. However, despite these communal benefits, sharing cannabis can pose significant health risks. The main concern is the increased chance of transmitting bacteria and viruses via the surfaces of joints or smoking devices, which can retain saliva—a primary carrier of various pathogens.

While many believe that sharing a joint with friends is no riskier than sharing a drink or a meal, in reality, even minimal contact with the mouth of an infected person can transfer potentially dangerous pathogens to the surface of a joint or device. This is not surprising, considering that, according to many studies, the human mouth is the most bacteria-rich area of the body, far surpassing the hands or even the rectum in terms of pathogen concentration, regardless of personal hygiene.

A recent study by Moose Labs, a Los Angeles-based company that manufactures cannabis smoking accessories, conducted under the supervision of founders Dan and Jay Rush, clearly demonstrates the dangers of sharing cannabis through a single device. After testing various methods of communal smoking—from classic joints to pipes, bongs, and vaporizers—the researchers reached some sobering conclusions about the epidemiological risks involved.

“Overall, after testing a range of smoking devices in regular use, we found that even with frequent cleaning and disinfection, any bong or pipe can become a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and viruses,” says Jay Rush. “To our horror, we discovered that even the seat of a not-so-clean public toilet harbors far fewer pathogens than a bong that’s been passed around a group of smokers just a couple of times. Specifically, a square inch of a gas station toilet seat had about 900 microorganisms, while the same area on a bong, after being used by a couple of people, had over 3,000 different bacteria—all of which are passed directly into the mouth.”

Jay notes that a seemingly clean bong can host as many bacteria as 21 and a half toilet seats or 25 well-used dog bowls. “Honestly, the results made me seriously reconsider sharing cannabis devices,” he says. “After all, we don’t use the same fork as everyone else at the table, and we’re grossed out by drinking from the same glass. It’s obvious we should also avoid sharing joints or other devices without thoroughly disinfecting them first.”

“Still, many people see nothing wrong with sharing a joint with complete strangers, from their dealer to friends of friends who join a session,” Jay continues. “With cannabis becoming more popular and legal, more people may make this mistake, allowing dangerous bacteria and viruses to spread.”

This article offers simple hygiene recommendations for using cannabis smoking devices to help reduce the concentration of pathogens on their surfaces and minimize infection risks.

Regular and Thorough Cleaning of Smoking Devices

Besides avoiding sharing devices, every responsible cannabis user should develop the habit of regularly and thoroughly cleaning their equipment—even if no one else has used it. For effective cleaning, regularly treat devices with 99% isopropyl alcohol, other alcohols, or sea salts (ideally, combine several disinfectants for maximum effect).

While you don’t need to clean your bong or pipe after every solo session, for safety, disinfect devices at least once a week and store them in a clean, preferably sanitized place. The cleaning process is simple: soak the device in a cleaning solution or wipe it down, then carefully rinse off any residue. The exact method depends on the device: pipes can be rinsed entirely, while bongs or vaporizers should be disassembled and each part cleaned separately.

Good hygiene not only removes bacteria but also gets rid of resin and oils left after smoking, eliminating unpleasant tastes and odors that can mask the flavors and aromas of fresh cannabis or extracts.

“In my experience, bongs, pipes, and other devices that aren’t cleaned after several sessions develop a harsh, unpleasant resin taste that overpowers even strong cannabis flavors, making it feel like you’re smoking something nasty,” says Dian Ferman, founder and director of Genius Pipe, a company that makes cannabis accessories and cleaning tools. “Smoking through dirty devices takes away much of the enjoyment. Clean your tools regularly—the more often, the better. Don’t deprive yourself of the full range of flavors and aromas that quality cannabis offers.”

Using Hygienic Accessories When Sharing

Since few people are willing to give up the social aspect of cannabis use, you can protect yourself from bacteria on joints or bongs by using various hygienic tips and mouthpieces that create a barrier between your mouth and the device. Examples include rubber or plastic tips like the MouthPeace by Moose Labs or similar products from other companies. Professionally made tips have treated surfaces that repel microbes and built-in filters to smooth the smoke, which is a nice bonus. These tips are usually compatible with most bongs, pipes, and vaporizers. Smaller tips can be used as hygienic mouthpieces for shared joints. With some creativity, you can even make your own from silicone or plastic and sanitize it as needed.

Alternatively, you can avoid direct contact with a joint by holding it in your fist like a chillum, so your lips don’t touch it. Simple cigarette holders can also be used, but they should be cleaned after each session. Finally, it’s always helpful to inform others about the risks of sharing. With enough effort from cannabis users worldwide, using protective and hygienic tips could become a standard practice for responsible consumption.

Controlling Your Environment and Cleaning Devices Before Use

It’s always wise to know who you’re consuming cannabis with, avoiding anyone who is sick or a stranger, and to regularly wipe down devices—even a joint—with sanitizing wipes to reduce or eliminate infection risk.

Moose Labs also conducted another study on consumer hygiene habits at public cannabis events in Southern California. Over a year, they offered festival attendees free samples of their products during strain tastings and observed the precautions people took. Of more than 200 participants, only about half used hygienic tips. Of those who didn’t, only about 5% used sanitizing wipes to clean devices, while the rest took no precautions at all.

Wiping down a device after someone else uses it is effective not only at public events but even among close friends, since you can never be sure someone isn’t carrying a contagious illness. Don’t hesitate to clean devices after every use and encourage your friends to do the same. Like using protective tips, this hygiene measure should become more widespread.

“While fire and heat are fairly effective at killing many pathogens, they don’t guarantee complete elimination like alcohol or other cleaning agents do,” notes Rush. “Simply wiping a device or heating it only slightly reduces the number of bacteria per square inch. Heat lowers bacteria from about 1,800 per inch to 1,100, while cleaning agents eliminate them all, including more resilient viruses.”