How Vaping Has Changed the Game in The Cannabis Industry

A vaporizer is a device that heats up marijuana – in either a dry herb or concentrate form – in order to transmit the THC without any burning. The higher quality vape devices deliver vapor that actually accentuates the flower’s natural aroma.

Vape devices come in all shapes and sizes. There are basically two types:

• Desktop: A desktop vaporizer is designed to stay in one place (not for travel). They’re dependent on a wall outlet, and most allow you to precisely adjust the temperature. Some vape models use a “whip,” which is a hose-like mouthpiece – or a “balloon,” which is a bag that fills with vapor that you inhale from.
• Portable: As opposed to the desktop vaporizer that’s meant to stay in one place, portable vapes offer the convenience of portability and privacy, especially when traveling – or just when you want to be discreet. Many portable vapes are like e-cigarettes that have been modified to vape marijuana. They’re battery-operated and typically slim and sleek like a pen. There are also some models that are bigger in size (like that of a water bottle), but the preferred device is the smaller pen-like version.

• Vaping is healthier. Recent studies have shown that vaping cannabis does have key health benefits vs. smoking. For one, vaporizers produce fewer carcinogenic compounds because it’s heated, not combusted. The combustion of marijuana produces several known carcinogens and tar, which can irritate the lungs and lead to chronic bronchitis. Vaporizers are designed to overcome this issue. By heating marijuana at a lower temperature than combustion, vaping produces an inhalable vapor that still contains the active ingredients in weed (cannabinoids), yet without the harmful by-products.Studies also show that vaping removes 95% of the smoke that’s inhaled. In addition, vaping is thought to increase the yield of inflammatory terpenoids that protect the lungs from irritation. When it comes down to it, smoking anything is not good for your health – so vaping weed is indeed a healthier option.
• Vaping is discreet.  While some portable vapes do emit a noticeable vapor and smell, most vape pens are still much more discreet than smoking a joint or a one-hitter while out in public (i.e. at a concert or on the beach). The odor of weed is still there, but it makes much less of a cloud.  
• More flavor. Some say vaped weed tastes like burned popcorn, but for many vaping brings out the flavor notes of the weed. By not burning the weed to a crisp, vaping makes it taste cleaner and clearer.
• Vaping is more cost-effective. While some vapes can be a bit pricy, you can find many for $40 or less. After the initial investment, however, you will save money in the long-term, because you need to burn less of it to get just as high (as when smoking).  In fact, a recent study conducted by California NORML found that vaporizers can convert 47% of available THC into vapor – as opposed to the average joint that converts less than 25%. And in a study published in the Journal of Pyschoactive Drugs, patients ranked vaporizers as the most efficient method of marijuana intake, requiring a lower dose than both smoking and edibles.

There are a few disadvantages of vaping, including the setup of the vaporizer, preparation of the weed (it needs to be ground into a fine consistency), waiting for the vape to heat up, and the cleaning required after each use.  

The bottom line: vaping does offer a good bang for your bud – and there’s good reason why vaping has changed the game and is building so much steam in worldwide popularity among stoners!

Stay tuned to this website for updates, information and education on all things cannabis.