Why Cannabis Vaporization?

Vaporization is a technique for avoiding irritating respiratory toxins in marijuana smoke by heating cannabis to a temperature where the psychoactive ingredients evaporate without causing combustion.

Laboratory studies by California NORML and MAPS have found that vaporizers can efficiently deliver cannabinoids while eliminating or drastically reducing other smoke toxins.

Like tobacco, marijuana smoke contains toxins that are known to be hazardous to the respiratory system. Among them are the highly carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, a prime suspect in cigarette-related cancers. These toxins are essentially a byproduct of combustion, separate from the pharmaceutically active components of marijuana, known as cannabinoids, which include THC. Although there is no proof that marijuana smoking causes cancer, chronic pot smokers have been shown to suffer an elevated risk of bronchitis and respiratory infections. Respiratory disease due to smoking may therefore rightly be regarded as the primary physiological hazard of marijuana.

Cannabis vaporizers are designed to let users inhale active cannabinoids while avoiding harmful smoke toxins. They do so by heating cannabis to a temperature of 180 - 200° C (356° - 392° F), just below the point of combustion where smoke is produced. At this point, THC and other medically active cannabinoids are emitted with little or none of the carcinogenic tars and noxious gases found in smoke. Many medical marijuana patients who find smoked marijuana highly irritating report effective relief inhaling through vaporizers. Users who are concerned about the respiratory hazards of smoking are strongly advised to use vaporizers. Alternative devices, such as waterpipes, have been shown to be ineffective at reducing the tars in marijuana smoke (Report).

Vaporizer Vendors

  • VaporWarehouse (portion of sales donated to Cal NORML)
  • HappyVappy - Compact streamlined design
  • Smoke-Right - "Ubie" glass tube holds sample, you heat it with a lighter - portable
    and inexpensive
  • VapeWorld
  • Vapman - Portable Swiss model works with butane lighter
  • Vaporizers.net Vaporizer online store with Vaporizer reviews
  • VaporStore - Herbal Vaporizers and Vaporizer Accessories - Featuring Volcano and VaporTower Vaporizers
  • Volcano - State-of-the-art medical grade vaporizer from Germany tested by California NORML and MAPS, found to eliminate over 100 chemicals, delivering 95% pure cannabinoids in vapor. Unique collection system avoids wastage by collecting vapor in a balloon.
  • The Vriptech - A revolutionary design using a glass heat wand with any bong, using a customized bowl

More
information:

Details on vaporizer study:
D. Gieringer, "Cannabis 'Vaporization': A Promising Strategy for Smoke
Harm Reduction," Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics Vol 1 #3-4: 153-170
(2001). Reprints available for $5 from California NORML, 2261 Market St. #278A,
San Francisco CA 94114.

Retail
Sales:

Co-Op Store, 1733 Broadway,
Oakland CA (510) 832-5346

Hemp BC, 199 W. Hastings
St, Vancouver BC (604) 669-9069