Ann Arbor’s First Hash Bash After Cannabis Legalization!
Ann Arbor has quite a few really nice head shops. You don’t want to miss these while you’re in town. Between the 4 reviewed below, you are sure to find that exact bong or dab rig you’ve been looking for. They all have great selections of glass art bongs and pipes AND a lot made by local artists. These stores have serious cannabis accessories. It’s a guarantee, if one doesn’t have what you’re looking for, another will.
All the head shops I visited are in very close proximity. 3 are right off the diag, where the bash is held. One is a couple of blocks away, close to Main Street. Let them know you read about them in Canniseur!
If you’re making a trek to Ann Arbor this year to celebrate the first Hash Bash held since legalization, make sure you check out the local head shops.
Stairway to Heaven
340 1/2 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 994-3888
Hours
Sunday 12–7PM
Monday 11AM–9PM
Tuesday 11AM–9PM
Wednesday 11AM–9PM
Thursday 11AM–9PM
Friday 11AM–9PM
Saturday 11AM–9PM
Stairway to Heaven is iconic. It’s Ann Arbor’s quintessential head shop, now celebrating 31 years. Stairway to Heaven holds a special place in my heart, being the 1st head shop I visited when I picked my habit back up in 2003. I love this place. It’s a complete throwback, but they now carry modern accessories – vape pens, etc.
Stairway to Heaven is owned by Arleen Kosak, who has been running it since a little after her husband died 15 years ago. She’s done a great job of staying current AND keeping the prices down. She’s known by UM students for good her pricing. Stairway to Heaven carries a large selection of glass pipes made by local artists. She’s got a nice selection of bongs, carries V sticks, and batteries.
It’s here that you can get hippie clothes and incense from a rather large selection of choices. This is head shop you just have to check out. There definitely are not many like this anymore.
Connect with Stairway to Heaven on Instagram @stairway2heavena2
42 Degrees
615 1/2 E William St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 665-9600
Hours
Sunday 12–7PM
Monday 11AM–9PM
Tuesday 11AM–9PM
Wednesday 11AM–9PM
Thursday 11AM–9PM
Friday 11AM–9PM
Saturday 11AM–9PM
You can connect with 42 Degrees best on Instagram @42degrees.
Walking into 42 Degrees is like walking into a bold new world. It’s bright and airy, with loud colors making a big bold statement – ‘Cannabis is legal now and here we are!’ The showcases were well lit and inviting. 42 Degrees is owned by PK, who bought it about 3 years ago. However, she’s worked for the company since 2003, first as the bookkeeper, later in the store. The store has been here for 20 years in total, and is a dedicated community member. This is a hidden Ann Arbor gem.
42 Degrees specializes in local glass art. Collectors come from pretty far away to purchase the glass art. Her website will be complete in the next little bit, making it easier for collectors to purchase.
This head shop carries everything you would expect a shop to carry and then some. They are big sellers of Puff Co Peak, a big trend. 42 Degrees has quite a bit of anything you might be looking for, with reasonable pricing.
A particularly fabulous undertaking is their Michigan Glass project. Artists get together from all over and spend a weekend making art, which is then auctioned off. the proceeds go to Detroit Public Schools art program. Last year the artist Banjo took part. Banjo, is a local artist who has found fame on the west coast. You can find his art in museums. He created a piece that sold for $75,000 last year. Last year this wonderful program fully funded 4 elementary school art programs.
Special for Hash Bash is 42 Degrees grab bags. For varying amounts of money you can purchase a bag of unknown accessories. The lowest cost bag is $20. You are guaranteed to get at least a $25 pipe and then a few other things such as papers, ashtrays, lighters, and other items.
Exscape
607 E. William St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734)436-4331
Hours
Monday through Thursday 11AM-9PM
Friday & Saturday 11AM-10PM
Sunday 11AM-7PM
New York based Exscape has 9 locations in total. Two are in Michigan, in Ann Arbor & E. Lansing and the rest are in NY, PA, & MA. Walking into Exscape feels like walking into your every day headshop. It’s clean, wide open, and well lit. They carry just about anything you could want for your weed needs. They carry glass pipes, vape pens, and all the standard accessories. The owner was not in, but will be there special for Hash Bash. As I was leaving, the store filled up. This was the only store I visited that did not have the owner present.
Exscape’s website: https://exscapesmoke.com/ann-arbor-mi
Bongz and Thongz (BTz)
119 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 585-5613
Hours
Sunday through Thursday 11 AM to 10 PM
Friday & Saturday 10 AM to 11 PM
You can connect with BTz best on Instagram – @Bongzandthongz
Bongz and Thongz is Mohammad Hassan’s first location (with 2 more having opened since in Toledo). BTz started out 8 years ago with a sex shop in the lower level, thus the name. The sex shop is gone now and in its place, in the lower level, is where the vape products are sold. Street level has an incredible selection of glass art, Mohammad’s passion. Artists come from all over to show Mohammad their wares. He, personally selects which pieces will go in his store. The selection is amazing. There are quite a few bongs that change color depending on the light source. BTz has sold bongs for $25,000! Some of the art is signed and numbered. Catch BTz on Instagram to see their full selection of glass bong art.
Mohammad seemed to greet customers by name, as they came in. He treated everyone equally, no matter what. This shop is located downtown, not on campus. You can count on foot traffic being a bit different. His customer’s are of every walk of life, as long as you are 21 and older. (Ann Arbor has a stricter smoking law than the rest of the state.) Best sellers are vapes – of all kinds.
