What Is a Penjamin and What Does It Have to Do with Weed?

Once upon a time, the pen was mightier than the sword. These days? It’s mightier than the blunt. That’s how the humble vape pen earned its modern title of the “Penjamin.” It’s a distinguished moniker catching on among a new generation of cannabis enthusiasts. But what exactly does Penjamin mean, and is there more to it? I have the answers in this guide!

What Is a Penjamin?

Penjamin, or Penjamin Franklin, is early-2020s slang for a vape pen. It’s a wordplay and pun: pen + Benjamin = “Penjamin”… get it? The slang may also refer to dab pens, especially ones that have a similar pen-like design. The design in question is typically a battery-powered, pen-shaped device for inhaling THC vapor from heating cannabis concentrates or oils.

An example of the word in action is, “Can we share your Penjamin?” or “You want a hit of this Penjamin Franklin?”

While the exact origins of Penjamin are uncertain, it started on X, formerly Twitter (where else?), around 2019. By 2021, it had made its way into the Urban Dictionary.

Why Is It Called a Penjamin?

Penjamin is a wordplay that merges the simple “pen” with the famous Benjamin Franklin, the gentleman on the $100 bill. At its core, it reflects the playful creativity of modern slang, especially in cannabis culture, where humor and wordplay are common ways to name devices or products.

The pun works on multiple levels. First, the word “pen” directly ties to the device’s shape and function: a small, portable pen used for vaping concentrates. Second, adding “jamin” not only nods to the famous historical figure but also gives the term a sense of distinction, as if the pen itself has earned a name and reputation in cannabis circles.

Slang like Penjamin have spread quickly thanks to social media and online communities, where catchy, humorous terms are more likely to stick. 

Is There More to the Penjamin Slang?

Discretion is the name of the game. While cannabis is less of a taboo than it was a decade ago, users still get a few dirty looks and unsavory comments, especially in states where it remains illegal.

As cannabis culture has weathered pushback and backlash over the decades, there has always been an intense need for discretion. Slang and puns are one way to maintain secrecy, and “Penjamin” isn’t the only example. It’s simply one of the latest adaptations in a long tradition of linguistic workarounds. Take, for example, terms like “420,” “dank,” “Mary Jane,” or “Chronic”, which allowed users to talk about cannabis without drawing unwanted attention.

Each generation adds its own twist, creating slang that both signals membership in the community and keeps conversations subtle. Penjamin fits perfectly into this lineage by being clever, memorable, and discreet. It allows users to discuss vaping and concentrates while flying under the radar of social scrutiny or platform moderation.

Even as the stigma around cannabis decreases, coded language remains valuable. Social media platforms still flag or remove weed-related content, and terms like Penjamin help users communicate without risking banned or deleted posts. Even in states where cannabis is legal, many users keep conversations private because of workplace rules, family expectations, or just the local culture.

The term Penjamin hits home for younger users, who are juggling parents, social scrutiny, and the tricky business of dodging social media filters. Did you know that simply mentioning cannabis on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook could get your post flagged or your account banned?

Brands have even started leveraging this slang, naming vaping devices Penjamin to appeal to this audience. 

Slangs Similar to Penjamin and Their Meanings

The term Penjamin Franklin has inspired the creation of similar-sounding and related slang like:

• Double Penjamin: This can mean taking a hit from two vape or dab pens at the same time. It can also mean hitting a double-chamber vape pen. Here’s an example in a sentence: “Record me while I hit a double Penjamin.”
• Penjamin City: This means getting high from a vape pen. Think of it as Penjamin City (being high) as the destination, and the vape cart is the flight. For example, “After this hit, I’m heading straight to Penjamin City.”
• Analog Penjamin: It doesn’t rely on a battery-powered element to heat the flower for vaping. Instead, it relies on heat from a flame (torch or lighter). The lack of electronics is why it’s called an analog Penjamin.
• Penjamin Danklin: Penjamin Danklin means pretty much the same as Penjamin Franklin. It’s a play on words that replaces Franklin with Danklin, giving it a cannabis-themed dank, which means potent, high-quality weed.
• Penjamin Button: Here’s another clever one, which is a play on the name Benjamin Button, from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It means the same thing as Penjamin Danklin and Penjamin Franklin.
• Penjamin Blinkerton: This is a double play on words, combining “Penjamin” with the formal-sounding last name Blinkerton, which humorously refers to the blinking light on vape pens. Outside the context of cannabis, Penjamin Blinkerton is also the name of a meme coin.

How Does a Penjamin Work?

A Penjamin is basically a 510-thread vape pen for inhaling the vapor from heating cannabis concentrate carts. It typically has a battery-powered heating element that warms the oil or vape juice inside the cartridge just enough to turn it into vapor, without burning it.

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Depending on the design, you can activate it by pressing a button or simply inhaling. Once activated, the battery sends power to the atomizer, which heats the concentrate and produces vapor that’s drawn through the mouthpiece. The process is quick, discreet, and requires very little setup.

In short, a Penjamin works like any standard vape pen. It just has a cooler name.

Are Penjamins Legal?

The legality of a Penjamin depends on where you live and what’s inside it, not the slang itself. The vape is legal to own in most places. The legal issue comes down to the cartridge or the concentrate inside it.

In places where cannabis is illegal, owning or using a Penjamin that contains THC can carry penalties. However, if the cartridge contains CBD or another legal cannabinoid, it may be legal to use, provided you meet the local age requirements. For example, in the U.S., a Penjamin would be illegal if it contains federally illegal levels of THC, but legal in a state like California, where adults can use recreational cannabis.

Who Uses the Term “Penjamin”?

Certain demographics are far more likely to adopt the slang than others. Younger Americans, especially Gen Z, tend to favor it. That’s because they’re more active in online communities, social media, and cannabis circles, where slang and clever wordplay are the norm.

The term’s humor and pun-based nature make it easy to remember and fun to share. Also, its discretion lets younger users discuss cannabis without drawing unwanted attention from the “uninitiated.” Some millennials in cannabis and online communities have started using the term, too, myself included.

Source: Reddit

FAQs

What does Penjamin mean in slang?

Penjamin means a pen-shaped vaping or dabbing device for inhaling heated cannabis concentrates. The slang is most commonly used by Gen Z and millennials, especially in online spaces and cannabis communities. Other forms of the slang include Penjamin Franklin and Penjamin Button.

Is a Penjamin just a dab pen?

A Penjamin can be a vape or a dab pen. Most Penjamin devices use a 510-thread connection and are shaped like a pen, which is where the name comes from.

How strong is a Penjamin?

The strength of a Penjamin depends on the potency of the cannabis concentrate in the cartridge. Penjamins used for dabbing are typically stronger than standard vape pens because dab wax is more concentrated and delivers stronger hits.

Can beginners use a Penjamin?

Yes, but it’s important to start slow. Penjamins can be more potent than smoking flower, especially when used with high-THC concentrates. Beginners should take small puffs and wait a few minutes to feel the effects to reduce the risk of overdoing it.

Is using a Penjamin safe?

The safety of a Penjamin, whether for vaping or dabbing, depends on the quality of the device, the contents of the cartridge or concentrate, and how it’s used. Reputable, lab-tested products reduce the risk of harmful additives, while proper temperature control helps prevent inhaling unwanted byproducts. You should also practice responsible, moderate use to avoid overconsumption and potential side effects like dizziness or anxiety.

How do I use a Penjamin?

Depending on the pen’s design, you can activate the heating element by pressing a button or simply inhaling through the mouthpiece. Once activated, the battery heats the cartridge and turns the concentrate into vapor you can inhale.

Why is it called a Penjamin?

The name is a play on words, combining “pen” with the famous name Benjamin Franklin to give us Penjamin. The pun works because the device is shaped like a pen, and the twist on Franklin’s name adds a fun, memorable flair.

What are the contents of a Penjamin?

A Penjamin may contain a full-spectrum cannabis concentrate like wax or live resin, or a CBD or THC isolate. Some Penjamins are even dry herb vaporizers, allowing you to vaporize flower directly. The effects and potency largely depend on what’s inside the device.