Vaping Cannabis: A Fun, Pleasurable, and Safer Experience

One offshoot of cannabis legalization in Canada is that there is one less thing to worry about its purchase and consumption. To date, smoking joints and pre-rolls remain the most popular means of reaping the benefits. Even so, more people are discovering that vaping is just as fun and pleasurable. More importantly, inhaling vapour is safer than smoke.

People who vape will have plenty of things to say – all of which are likely positive. The intensity of the “high” is not any different from smoking. You can do it at home using a tabletop vaporizer. Even better, there are plenty of portable vaporizers that you can use – both at home and on the road.

Vaping Cannabis

Vaporization of cannabis flowers involves using heat that is high enough to activate THC, CBD, and other compounds found in marijuana. You see, in dry herb form, most of these compounds are in an inactive state. They need to go through the decarboxylation process (using heat), transforming them into a form that can produce psychoactive and medicinal effects. Burning the dry herb in joints, for example, also produces the same results as vaping.

The perceived risk of smoking cannabis as a means of consumption is that it may pose long-term health risks. Much of this is attributed to numerous studies on the effects of smoking tobacco. On the one hand, lighting up a joint not only burns the plant matter but also the wrapper. Consequently, you are inhaling both the desired compounds and potentially toxic by-products of combustion. In this regard, does it necessarily follow that the risk of smoking is the same for both cannabis and tobacco?

To put things in perspective. Anything in excess is – for sure – not good. Heavy tobacco smokers, for example, may smoke 1 to 2 packs a day – that is 20 to 40 cigarettes a day. Comparatively, people who consume cannabis excessively average 3 joints a day. Quite obviously, the intake of potentially harmful compounds with cannabis is significantly lower than tobacco. It may perhaps explain why researchers could not find enough evidence to conclusively state that smoking cannabis can cause lung cancer (Zhang et al.).

For peace of mind, you could turn to what many others are doing – vape. Inhaling vapour feels cleaner than smoke – that is because it is indeed purer. Devoid of other substances, the risks attributed to smoking become less of a concern. There is even less carbon monoxide absorbed into the blood with vaping. Researchers could not even find adverse side effects, leading them to conclude that it is a safer delivery system for THC (Abrams et al.).

Safety

To vape, you would need a vaporization device. You can find an assortment of vaporizers in vape stores and head shops. For maximum durability and reliability, purchase a unit only from a reputable brand. Among the best choices of dry herb vape devices are either Storz & Bickel or Airizer. These brands have a reputation for producing full-featured functional vaporizers that can produce vapours safely.

You should also buy dried flowers from a legal source. Canada has strict laws governing the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. Consumer safety is of utmost importance, which is why adherence to the highest quality standards is upheld. These products, at the very least, should not contain chemical residues. Optionally, you can guarantee the purity of what you are vaping – that is to grow cannabis and harvest the buds yourself.

Once you have a vaporizer and high-quality dried flower, go on vaping marijuana and experience how pleasurable the vapour is to your throat and lungs. For some people, smoking weed and even medical marijuana can cause coughing, wheezing, and increased phlegm production. These respiratory symptoms are not likely to appear with vaping (DP. Tashkin et al.).

Effectiveness

Vaporization is not only a safer method but also an effective way of consuming THC and CBD – a fact confirmed during an investigation on the absorption of THC during vaporization (Hazekamp et al.). Compared to smoking, the uptake of THC is similar, which suggests that the effects and intensity are the same. At the same time, there are no noticeable respiratory symptoms of significance.

While vaping cannabis can get you just as high as smoking it, there is a prevalent impression that the effects of vaping are crisper and cleaner. If you notice less of an immediate impact after vaping, be patient and wait a few minutes. After 5-15 minutes, you should feel the full effects. 

Efficiency is another significant benefit of vaping. There is almost no wasted bud when it comes to dry herb vaping. You also do not have to worry about rolling joints. With dried flower vaping, you get to make the most of every gram. As an added benefit, you can use already-vaped buds to create an assortment of infused edibles.

What to Expect When You Vape Cannabis

Clean hits are not the only benefits you can expect as there is so much more to enjoy about vaping.

There tends to be less agitation to your throat, resulting in less coughing and burning sensations. While you still may feel the effects of THC hitting your lungs, it is with your throat that you’ll notice the most significant benefits of vaping.

Vaping allows the flavour and aroma of bud to be experienced more fully. Wedding Cake, for example, contains limonene (citrus, lemon), linalool (lavender), and caryophyllene (pepper). Because the vapour does not contain burnt plant matter, it smells and tastes better than smoke. Also, the odour is less profound, which is an advantage if you do not want to keep the scent of marijuana under control.

A profound benefit of vaping is how quick and convenient it is. Dry herb vaporizers only require a minute or two to heat up, and they are ready to go. You can take one puff, or as many as you like, before turning it off. It is an easy way to quickly get your THC/CBD dose then get back to the activity at hand.

Vaporizers

Generally, there are two kinds of vaporizers – tabletop and portable. The options do not end there as you can also choose between dry herbs or units that support concentrates.

Tabletop

Tabletop vaporizers – as the name suggests – are devices that you use at home due to its bulky size and reliance on an electrical outlet. Although clunky to lug around, they also have advanced technologies including temperature control. The ability to adjust the temperature lets you get the most out of cannabis. Different strains contain different terpenes. Each of the terpenes vaporizes at a specific temperature. A good example is Tutti Frutti. It contains pinene, which helps with memory retention and alertness. Adjusting the temperature to 311°F can best vaporize this terpene.

Portable

Portable vaporizers are small devices powered by a rechargeable battery that you bring wherever you need to go. Because the flower chamber is small, these devices are better suited for personal use. Portability does come with a price as most of these units come with fixed temperatures. Although some brands produce models that let you control the heat, this feature is limited.

THC and CBD oil vape pens are also popular among people who prefer mobility. They are sleek and can easily be hidden from plain view. The most common type utilizes a cartridge that is attached to a rechargeable battery. If you do buy one, choose a design that comes with 510 thread. It allows you to replace the distillate cartridge with a new one once the old one runs out, such as Seedless Grape – a THC distillate that is not easily obtainable other than from Weed Me.

Yes to Fun and Enjoyable Cannabis Experience

As you will discover, vaping is as much fun and provides the same effects. Considering the advantages of vaping weed over smoking, there is no reason not to give it a try. Even if there is an initial investment required, most people would agree that it is certainly worth it. Tabletop vaporizers are more expensive compared to portable vape devices. If budget is an issue, start off with a portable vape pen or one that has a chamber for dry herbs.

Citations

Zhang, Li Rita, et al. “Cannabis Smoking and Lung Cancer Risk: Pooled Analysis in the International Lung Cancer Consortium.” International Journal of Cancer, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4262725/.

Abrams, D I, et al. “Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System: A Pilot Study.” American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 11 Apr. 2007, ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1038/sj.clpt.6100200.

10. Tashkin, GC. Baldwin, et al. “Decreased Respiratory Symptoms in Cannabis Users Who Vaporize.” Harm Reduction Journal, BioMed Central, 1 Jan. 1970, harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1477-7517-4-11.

Hazekamp, Arno, et al. “Evaluation of a Vaporizing Device (Volcano®) for the Pulmonary Administration of Tetrahydrocannabinol.” Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 95, no. 6, 2006, pp. 1308–1317., doi:10.1002/jps.20574.