The cannabis industry has taken a few twists and turns over the years but one fact has remained constant throughout: Weed vaporizers are coming in hot and are expected to dominate the cannabis market as the number one method for the consumption of THC.
Consumption of cannabis flower (versus concentrates) remains the market leader and rightly so for a number of reasons. One of the main ways to consume cannabis flower is to use a dry herb “weed” vaporizer to heat the cannabis flower in a small convection oven, making it ready for inhalation by the user.
Here, we’ll be taking a look as to why dry herb vaporizers are the future of cannabis consumption and the threats that concentrate poses to the health of users.
The Rising Popularity of Vaporizers
Weed vaporizers are projected to become the most popular cannabis accessory on the market. Coming in different sizes, styles, and forms; vapes are hugely popular because:
- Discreet, portable and budget-friendly: Vape pens are super small, nifty little devices that can be carried in pockets and purses and can be very affordable. There’s no overpowering fumes or faffing around with a bowl; just pulling the pen out and taking a draw.
- Vaping popularity increases: According to the same research firm, the sale of vape products increased by 69 percent and vape sales for CBD grew by 105.5 percent in 2018.
- Younger customers: On average, vapers are generally younger, in comparison to non-vapers.
Vaping Dry Herb vs Concentrates
In today’s cannabis market, many devices can vaporize dry herbs and also allow the user to vaporize concentrates and extracts. With a dry herb vaporizer, the cannabis flower is put into the device and it cooks at a certain temperature in a convection oven to produce vapor. Dry herb vaporizers aren’t new to the market but they were pushed back due to concentrates booming in popularity.
Vaping concentrates and extracts such as CBD oil and THC oil can be used in vape pens and other supported devices to provide the user with a convenient and discreet method of consuming cannabis. Between 35 and 46 percent of respondents in a study found that concealment was the number one reason for vaping. Furthermore, the same study found that 29 to 42 percent of respondents use vaporizers for convenience.
Whether the user is consuming dry herb or concentrates through a vaporizer, the method of inhalation without combustion proves to be more effective. A study in 2018 found that users who vaped cannabis had greater amounts of THC in their bloodstream, causing a more potent high for the user.
Black Market Concentrates Raises Public Health Concerns
Vaporizers are always a hot topic when it comes to health concerns. There isn’t enough scientific evidence in the long-term to give us accurate data and projections on user’s health. There isn’t always a clear distinction between nicotine and cannabis-based products, which can leave many people confused.
Concentrates and extracts still differ in quality between brands so it can be difficult to find a benchmark for quality. Due to the difficulty in regulation, black market concentrates are also being released in masses and have been causing a public health epidemic. Studies have shown that vitamin E was common in many of these cases, however, most of the cartridges you can get on the street do not always post ingredient lists on packaging. In their liquid form, cannabis extracts and concentrates can also become contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides and other carcinogens, resulting in a health risk for the user.
With the amount of contamination from concentrates and the direct inhalation of those contaminants by the user, it highlights a serious health issue for consumers.
When it comes to weed vaporizers, there’s always an open debate about whether consuming cannabis flower is a healthier option than concentrates and extracts. The traditional method of smoking cannabis flower can certainly produce tar and carcinogens, which could lead to cancer. Furthermore, the irritants, toxins, and carcinogens found in marijuana smoke are the same as tobacco smoke, according to the American Lung Association.
Dry Herb Vaporizers Are Safer
Using a dry herb vaporizer could eradicate the toxins and carcinogens involved to produce a cleaner way for users to consume cannabis. Vaporizers have been able to reduce respiratory issues caused by smoking cannabis according to one study. That means that vaping dry herb could be the cleanest way to consume cannabis and reduce respiratory system inflammation while still getting a potent high.
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