There are many ways for patients to consume cannabis, including edibles, oils, capsules, decarboxylated flowers took orally, and you guessed it– vaping and smoking.
Yet, hands down the most popular methods for cannabis consumption are smoking (combusting) and vaporizing. Many patients prefer to use this method because of how fast they can experience the effects. Yet, many do not know which one is the ‘healthier’ option.
In short, vaporizing is considered a healthier alternative to smoking and is the recommended option by doctors. Vaporizing is also more discreet than smoking cannabis. And with the growing popularity of vaping e-cigarettes, it’s easier to blend in and curb the cannabis stigma.
What is Vaporizing?
Vaporizing, or vaping, is the process where heat is used to change a substance from a solid or liquid into a gas. Vaporizers house a small oven that heats– but does not burn the cannabis. Vapes heat to a perfectly calibrated temperature that allows cannabis to only release its cannabinoids (i.e. THC & CBD) into vapour which is then inhaled into the lungs. This is why vaping is rapidly gaining popularity as it does not burn cannabis and therefore does not produce as many harmful by-products.
Vapes are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be purchased at varying price points. In most cases, if you are a medical patient with the insurance coverage you can access a vape for free! Most vapes are portable handheld devices that are easy to travel with.
Vaporizers work with ground dried cannabis and produce immediate effects when used. The high of Vaping is similar to smoking because when inhaled, the cannabinoids immediately reach the brain and enter the bloodstream within seconds. The effects of vaporizing last 2-3 hours and many consumers prefer its clean ‘burnt-popcorny’ taste.
Why is Vaping Healthier Than Smoking?
Vaping cannabis is similar to smoking the way that both involve the process of combustion and requires heat for the cannabinoids to be released into the body. However, the difference is that vaping removes the myriad of toxins that smoking cannabis produces. In fact, smoking cannabis can produce over 100 toxins, gases and particulates that are inhaled directly into the lungs. Smoking these chemicals can irritate the lungs and can cause respiratory infections and bronchitis. Smoking also depletes your immune system and can force your body to suffer from colds and flu longer.
Types of Vaporizers
There are many different options for vapes, we recommend doing your research before you buy. You want to spend some money on a vape as you get what you pay for! Again, if you have access to insurance benefits contact us to see if you are entitled to a free vaporizer.
Tabletop Vaporizers
These are for patients who like to consume cannabis at home and don’t need a portable vape. These units are stationary, as they often plug into walls and are quite large and bulky. These vapes are often more advanced features and offer more precise temperature control. Temperature control is important for medical users as it allows the patient to tailor the temperature to each individual strain to properly experience the full-spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.
Health Canada has approved a tabletop vaporizer called The Volcano Medic vaporizer, to be used by medical cannabis patients at home.
Portable Flower Vaporizers
This type of vaporizer is ideal for consumers who want to travel with their cannabis. The downside is cheaper models often do not offer specific temperature control. Even the more expensive options are limited with temperature control because they run on battery power. However many do prefer this option because they can leave home with it and can switch between strains easily. Pricing can range anywhere from $40-$600. Health Canada has approved the Mighty Medic vaporizer as a medical device for medical cannabis patients.
Contact MMC for access to safe & effective Medical Cannabis! Info@medmc.ca or 1 (844) 312-5143
