I think we're on the same page. Possession of a pipe is legal as long as no evidence exists that it has been used to smoke marijuana. However, possession of a water pipe is a federal offense regardless. State laws differ, but the federal statute dealing with drug paraphanelia stipulates that all water pipes must be considered illegal devices. Because state laws differ, local law enforcement officials often overlook water pipes. Federal authorities, however, are not allowed to determine if they believe that a water pipe has been used for marijuana; it is illegal regardless of its use according to the "objective rule" upheld by the Supreme Court. Pipes without resin = Hit that shit. Waterpipes (state law) = Depends on local laws. Waterpipes (federal law) = Drop that shit! REAL stoned right now, by the way. I hope that the above paragraphs and subsequent references make sense.