Ooka is a hookah-meets-cannabis device frequently found at seshes in Los Angeles.
Learn about the Ooka, its notable design and features, and everything else you should know about this new and unique product.
What is the Ooka?
The Ooka is an electronic vaporizer that acts like a hookah. It was made to be used with pods of prepackaged flower offered by a company called seven9.
Photo by: Courtesy of OokaImage lightbox
If you're living in or visiting LA, the Ooka can be used at The Artist Tree, a cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge in West Hollywood — simply RSVP to a sampling event through the brand's website.
Suppose you want to get up close and personal with the device before purchase. In that case, you can also schedule an in-home trial where an attendant will stop by and walk you through the process of using it (only available to California residents).
The Ooka retails for $399.99.
Ooka design and features
The Ooka comes in two colorways: black and white.
According to the brand, each pod or session will last 45 - 60 minutes, depending on usage, and a fully charged Ooka will last around 3 - 4 hours. The device is shareable with up to four friends.
The intuitive tech makes it easy to control the intensity; along with the intelligent microchip, it creates optimal heating and precise delivery every time.
Ooka pods
Each seven9 pod combines premium whole flower — exclusively sourced from California growers — with a proprietary blend of terpenes, offering a full-spectrum, full-flavored, consistent, dose-able experience.
Photo by: Courtesy of OokaImage lightbox
The pods are categorized by effects based on five different benefits and THC:CBD ratios:
- Happy Hour pod: a blend of sativa flower, CBG, and terpenes from a mix of Mimosa and The Gift. The Happy Hour pod's flavors include citrus, lemongrass, and pine, and its primary terpenes are terpinene, pinene, and citral. The predicted effects are uplifting and social. Happy Hour is a high-THC sativa pod.
- Just Vibe pod: blended from the strain Motorhead, the Just Vibe pod delivers earthy, sweet, spicy, and floral flavors. Its main terpenes are myrcene, linalool, and ocimene, and its predicted effects are chill and relaxed. Just Vibe is a high-THC indica pod.
- Get Zen pod: a mix between Wedding Pie and The Gift, Get Zen's flavors are described as floral, spicy, and citrusy. Its main terpenes are bisabolol and terpinene; the predicted effects are centered, calm, and balanced. Get Zen is an indica pod with a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio.
- Zone In pod: with flavors described as pine, minty, and basil, Zone In is more of an herbal blend. The main terpenes are pinene, eucalyptol, and humulene from a mix of The Gift and Mimosa. The effects are predicted to be focused, alert, and inspiring. The Zone In pod has a 3:1 CBD:THC ratio.
- No Worries pod: for those who want to smile and watch their worries melt away, the No Worries pod is a hybrid with flavors described as earthy, floral, and pine. Its main terpenes are pinene and linalool from a blend of The Gift and Kush Mints. The effects are predicted to be calming and releasing. The No Worries pod has a 6:1 CBD:THC ratio.
In addition to the specialty pods listed above, the brand offers infused indica, sativa, and hybrid pods.
How do you use the Ooka?
Using the Ooka is simple and intuitive:
Step 1: Charge Ooka and add water
Plug in the Ooka. When it's fully charged, slide the tank release button and pull off the top portion of the device. Add water to the fill line in the tank and place the top back on, lining the small dots on the top part of the device and the tank.
Step 2: Insert hose
Position the hose on the top portion of the device where indicated. Make sure the longer part faces up, and push it in until you hear it click into place.
Step 3: Remove the freshness seal from the pod
Remove the top and bottom seals on your pod. Make sure not to remove the pod ring.
Step 4: Add pod
Photo by: Courtesy of OokaImage lightbox
Open the portal lid and drop the pod in — ensure the pod faces 9 o'clock when aligned.
Step 5: Power on
Turn the device on by pressing the main button once and release it. This wakes the device. Then, press and hold the device to start the heating process until the button fully lights up. A beep and pulsing amber light will let you know it's heating up.
The button will stop pulsing when the device is fully heated.
Step 6: Choose the consumption setting and enjoy
The settings range from low, medium, and high in terms of vapor output indicated on the hose.
Twist the airflow adjuster until you reach your desired setting, then inhale from the hose, just like you would a regular hookah.
Step 7: Power off
Hit the device until your session ends. The Ooka will automatically power off at the end of the session, or you can press and hold the power button until it shuts off.
How to clean the Ooka
Cleaning the Ooka is as simple as using it:
- Power off the device
- Discard the pod
- Dump the water from the tank
- Brush out the tank using the Ooka brush
- Refill tank with fresh water
Voila — you're ready for your next session.
Ooka experience
I tried two pods to see how the Ooka hits: the Happy Hour pod for the upper effects and the Just Vibe pod for the relaxed effects.
The Happy Hour pod tasted like a traditional sativa — lemony, earthy, and piney. I got big pulls from it, and after a few hits, the high set in. It was excellent for hitting a workout and then knocking out a couple of hours of admin work.
The Just Vibe pod had a sweetness to it that was pleasant, and the high felt a bit middling, more than a sedative or downer effect. The experience was the same as the Happy Hour regarding smooth pulls and big hits.
Bottom line
Smoking the Ooka won't replace joints for me, but it's still fun to use and have on deck. It's a creative device that's a bit spendy but cool nonetheless. Get an Ooka if your pockets and preferences allow it — it's definitely a statement piece.
