In full disclaimer, I originally received my Smokus Focus jar back in 2019 as a review sample for another project I was working on at the time. In doing so, I was lucky enough to connect with Smokus Focus’ CEO, Sam Whetsel, who was kind enough to share the impetus behind the brand (hint: it has to do with a lifelong love of cannabis).
Coincidentally, I fancy myself a bit of a weed geek, so the Smokus Focus jar was a natural curiosity. Little did I know that curiosity would turn into a pre-smoking staple piece of equipment…
Nearly four years have passed since I initially received my Eclipse jar for review, and in that time, I could honestly put it to the test. From inspecting hundreds of nugs to being dropped and cleaned and everything in between, the Eclipse now definitely has some miles under its belt.
Given that I use this jar in nearly all my strain reviews, I thought it was high time to write up the jar from an at-home consumer’s perspective.
What Is Smokus Focus?
Smokus Focus is a cleverly named cannabis inspection jar line that features transparent walls, a clear top, a built-in magnification lens, built-in LED lights, and an airtight seal.
Aairtightyou could use your Smokus Focus as a stash jar, but where it truly shines is in its ability to show smokers the actual depth of beauty found in every nug of cannabis.
My current setup (which you’ll see in my pictures below) looks like this:
- Two sun-proof Re: Stash jars to pick up my flower from the dispensary (to avoid having to use single-use plastic tubes)
- One transparent Smokus Focus jar for obsessing over my fresh dispensary haul and to get some half-decent pics for this here blog
- Two smaller transparent glass jars for temporary holding of older buds or for sharing with friends
Depending on how much bud you consume, the quality, and your personal ritual, what works best for you will vary.
As such, most Smokus Focus jars end up in retail settings, particularly in states that require packaging/ban deli-style retail. If you can’t open a big jar of bud to smell it in a packaged state, then being able to inspect it up close in a sealed jar is the next best thing.
The Comet and Comet Infinity are great options for dispensaries looking to display a couple of grams of flower (3.5g capacity) on their sales floor. At the same time, The Eclipse and The Horizon are better for inspecting your bag, as they hold more flower (14g capacity).
All Smokus Focus jars feature airtight seals,airtightmagnification, and the ability to tether them to a fixed object.
3 Benefits of Owning an Eclipse
In terms of the value of owning a Smokus Focus jar, there are multiple points I’d like to make. These aren’t in any particular order; they’re just the things I’ve found I appreciate most about my jar after using it for a few years.
Again, this is the value that I have found with these jars. There are many elegant cannabis storage options out there today, so make sure to do your own research to see which one fits your specific needs.
Some of the cool features of the Smokus Focus that craft cannabis connoisseurs may enjoy include:
1. Beautiful Things Become More Beautiful
My Eclipse jar features 6 bright white LEDs on the underside of the lid, and the lid itself offers dual magnification levels so you can see your flower’s trichomes, pistils/stigmas, and bract structure in full detail.
Being able to appraise your bud from multiple levels of detail helps paint a more complete picture of the genetics your lungs are about to enjoy.
Similar to viewing a gallery painting from a few feet away, seeing the brush strokes up close while maintaining this depth of perspective creates a more complete picture.
To quote Sam directly:
“We know that humans love to inspect what they are putting into their bodies. Cannabis is no different.
We are finding that a deeper level of understanding is happening when users are able to visually inspect the cannabis plant.
We also find that first time patients see the cannabis plant and begin to understand that this is not a harmful drug, but rather a beautiful plant from nature with many exceptional properties. “
Sam Whetsel
From the brief correspondence I had with Sam, it’s clear to me that he’s a bit of a weed geek himself, and I think that comes through not just in the product design but also in the brand’s ethos and its products.
2. It’s Always Ready To Assist
My Eclipse has been a tank. From being dropped to being washed out to having its battery run flat repeatedly, it’s always ready for duty with a quick wipe-down and charge.
Yes, that’s right. The Eclipse features a built-in rechargeable battery, so no last-minute trips to the hardware store to find impossibly small replacement batteries. Nope, with the USB-C charger, my Smokus Focus is up and illuminating in no time with minimal charging time.
While I’m a big fan of glass over plastic, I can’t fault the use of it here, as the jar is in perfect working order, years in despite being jostled around in backpacks and used quite frequently.
3. It Becomes Part of a Ritual
I love to geek out about weed. Whenever my stash starts to run low, and I begin planning my next trip to the dispensary, a sense of excitement builds. I start area dispensary menus to see what my favorite growers have been dropping. I hurry home after making my purchase to sniff my stash and inspect Golem with his precious ring.
Even before I began journaling my strain reviews, I would toss a few nugs from my latest purchase into my Smokus Focus to get a better look at the colors and trichomes, because the subtleties here can be relatively minute and easy to miss without magnification.
Enjoying your cannabis visually and, uh, nasally before smoking/vaping, it is just part of the fun of the process, in my opinion. Similar to appetizers leading to main courses, or to foreplay, having some fun getting close to your bud always results in a more fulfilling experience overall.
Do You Need One?
While I believe it was one of the first today, there are many stash jars and magnification options to suit your taste when viewing cannabis flower in the best light possible.
You also don’t even need a dedicated jar. A flat, clean surface under a bright light and an old-fashioned magnifying glass will do the job, no doubt. If you already have the equipment, there’s not much reason to spend more money.
If you don’t own a magnifying glass, don’t have a clean workspace with good light, and want to understand your weed better, then investing in a dedicated inspection jar might be worth considering.
Regardless of the specific brand or model, the joy of looking at the gorgeous flowers our craft cultivators are producing today is truly a work of art, and your life will be improved if you just take the time to stop and focus before you smoke.
