When walking into your favorite dispensary, is it easy to become overwhelmed by the seemingly endless choices in cannabis products. From flower, to oils, to edibles and beyond, each marijuana experience is different and the method used for ingestion is a personal choice. While cannabis concentrates are becoming a widely used consumption technique, their potency and unfamiliar form can be intimidating to some patients.
According to Cannaseur, “a cannabis concentrate is a product stripped of the excess plant material and impurities leaving behind only the most desirable parts of the cannabis.”
One of the simplest methods of using these concentrates is to purchase them in a cartridge and inhale them using a vape pen (also referred to as a weed pen or e-cigarette). These pens use a heating element to quickly vaporize the cannabis oil for smooth, smoke-free consumption. The popularity of vaping cannabis concentrates has greatly increased over the past few years as concentrates can offer cleaner, smoother, and less odiferous consumption, allowing for increased discretion and portability.
The most important difference to keep in mind when comparing cannabis flowers and concentrates is potency. Traditional bud potency typically ranges between 10-25% THC, while a concentrate generally falls between 50-80%, with some pushing past 90%! Although those numbers may seem high to novice users, for patients using cannabis as a treatment for symptoms like anxiety and pain, the increased potency can be helpful. This quick and powerful dose of medication can be easily administered to attack and calm the symptoms with minimum waiting. Just remember to always start with the lowest dose and carefully work your way up to your desired effect.
While deciding if vaping is right for you, it is important to stay conscience of the possible health effects and keep up-to-date on industry research. Most concentrates are extracted through the use of solvents, such as CO2, hydrocarbons, water, alcohol and heat. Those solvents can leave trace amounts of residue in the concentrates. Furthermore, “many vape cartridges on the market contain propylene glycol (PG), polyethylene glycol (PEG) or other glycerin cutting agents” (Leafly). There is limited research on the dangers of inhaling these solvents and additives, and further studies are certainly needed to test the long term effects. In the meantime, the good news is that many cartridge producers are beginning to create products that are additive-free and all-natural!
For a more information on vaping cannabis, please check out the following resources:
In the wide world of cannabis, the choices for consumption are virtually endless and only you can decide if vaping marijuana fits your needs. Whether you are looking for the convenience of a vape pen or the traditional ritual of smoking flower, your Higher Vision bud tenders are available daily to help with your product choices. They are ready to explain all consumption techniques and will ensure that you have all the accessories and components necessary to successfully enjoy your Higher Vision experience.