Everything You Need to Know About Vaping
From its humble beginnings as a safer alternative to smoking to its current status as a multi-billion dollar industry, vaping cannabis has come a long way.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about vaping weed, including its history, benefits, risks, and how vaporizers work.
A Brief History of Vaping Cannabis:
While humans have been consuming cannabis for millennia primarily through smoking, the idea of vaporizing it emerged in the early 20th century. Pioneers like Joseph Robinson filed patents for electronic vaporizers, and later inventors sought ways to minimize the harmful effects of tobacco through vaping technology. Eagle Bill’s “Shake and Vape” pipe in 1993 marked a significant step forward.
The modern era of cannabis vaping took off with Storz and Bickel’s groundbreaking Volcano Vaporizer in 2000, followed by the rise of e-cigarettes and eventually, dedicated cannabis oil vape pens. Today, vaping is a mainstream method of cannabis consumption, offering users discretion, portability, and potentially a smoother experience compared to smoking.
Benefits of Vaping Weed:
- Potentially Healthier:
Vaping heats cannabis at lower temperatures than combustion, reducing the production of harmful byproducts like tar and carbon monoxide. However, ongoing research is needed to definitively determine its long-term health effects compared to smoking. - Discreet & Portable: Vape pens are compact and easy to conceal, making them ideal for discreet consumption on the go.
- Precise Temperature Control: Modern vaporizers allow users to adjust temperature settings, optimizing flavor and cannabinoid extraction based on their preferences.
- Efficient Consumption: Vaporizing extracts more active compounds from cannabis compared to smoking, potentially leading to a more potent experience with less product.
Risks & Considerations:
- Potential for Lung Injury: While vaping is often perceived as safer than smoking, recent reports highlight the risks of lung injury associated with some vape products, especially those containing vitamin E acetate.
- Illicit Market Dangers: The unregulated cannabis market poses significant risks. Fake cartridges may contain harmful additives or be mislabeled. Always purchase from reputable licensed dispensaries to ensure product safety.
How Vaporizers Work:
Vaporizers utilize heat to release active compounds from cannabis without burning it. There are two main heating methods:
- Conduction: The cannabis comes into direct contact with a heated surface, like a coil or plate.
- Convection: Hot air circulates around the cannabis, vaporizing its contents evenly.
Types of Vaporizers:
- Vape Pens: Portable and discreet, ideal for on-the-go use with oil cartridges.
- Portable Vapes: Compact and battery-powered, suitable for dry flower or concentrates.
- Tabletop Vaporizers: Larger, stationary units that offer superior vapor production and temperature control.
Choosing the Right Vaporizer:
Consider factors like your budget, preferred cannabis type (dry flower or oil), desired portability, and heating method when selecting a vaporizer.
