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Several years ago I made a video dedicated to the benefits of vaping cannabis. I had long understood that smoking was more harmful than vaping, and wanted to discuss points relating to the effects between the two different preferred methods of consumption – smoking vs vaping. Now, at the time of writing, Germany has just legalised cannabis and more of Europe is likely to follow suit. Here in the UK however, we are stuck behind the times and even medical cannabis feels like a well-kept secret.
This video was part of a series of health-focused videos in which I discussed the nuances of healthy cannabis consumption, a topic which is rarely if ever, discussed under prohibition.
Yes, we have a medical system, and yes, patients can legally access and consume their cannabis anywhere (supposedly). Still, at its core, the concept of a health-focused cannabis consumer needs more airtime.
Vaping Vs Smoking Cannabis from ISMOKE on Vimeo.
Smoking Cannabis
When people begin consuming cannabis in the UK, they will likely do so alongside tobacco, whether they’ve previously consumed tobacco or not.
Because cannabis is smoked, and tobacco is smoked, there is a disconnect between the relative harms because people think “SMOKING”. However, smoke is not created equal. Studies show that smoking cannabis pure is much less of a risk to health than mixing it with tobacco or even smoking tobacco on its own. Look at Rastafarianism to see a culture where people smoke pure cannabis daily throughout their lives without suffering anywhere near the associated health risks that tobacco smokers in the UK suffer from.
That being said, any combustion comes with potential health risks to the heart and respiratory health, and should certainly be avoided where aggravating factors are present. I gave up smoking for the most part due to my asthma which was triggered by tobacco smoke itself.
So if you or a loved one wants to smoke cannabis – the best advice is to smoke pure to expose yourself to fewer long-term health risks than mixing it with tobacco.
Vaping Cannabis
Vaping cannabis by heating it to the correct temperature enables the consumer to get the benefits of the cannabinoids with up to a 90% absorption rate (vs. 10-20% when smoking) while preserving flavour and exposing less health risks associated with combustion.
This consumption method requires the use of a device to achieve the correct temperatures in order to pull off the terpenes and cannabinoids without burning the plant material (combustion).
In the UK it is advised that all medical patients vaporise their cannabis. While the schedule relating to medicinal cannabis specifies this as a requirement, it is estimated that 70+% of patients are still smoking their cannabis.
If you want to switch from smoking to vaping, you will need a good vaporiser to enjoy the experience. I recommend Stortz + Bickel products or the Tiny Might 2 based on the devices I use myself. While these devices aren’t cheap, thinking about them on a cost-per-use basis can help to soften the price blow.
Want some honest advice? Do not get a crap vaporiser. You won’t have a good experience and will go back to smoking.
Another benefit of vaping cannabis vs smoking cannabis is that vaping can be a lot more discreet which may be helpful in busy public places under prohibition.
Which is better?
Quite clearly vaping wins in the vaping vs smoking debate. It is better for your health, preserves flavour, avoids combustion and delivers a higher absorption rate. However, due to the technical aspect of vaporizers and the need to keep them clean and well-maintained, additional steps are required for a pleasant experience vs rolling a joint.
To be realistic, some people will always choose to smoke. So with this in mind, we need a nuanced and education-led approach to help people transition to healthier consumption methods as they become more health-focused.
It is never too late to stop smoking and start vaping instead!
Quitting Smoking tobacco while still smoking Cannabis (going pure)
I have been through this journey. It is very worthwhile, but not the easiest ride. First I had to accept that my perception of the cannabis high was a combination of cannabis and tobacco. This means when you cut out the latter, the high doesn’t feel as good for a period of time. For me, that was almost a month.
The tobacco cravings can be difficult to manage, but I found using a bong to consume cannabis pure delivered enough intensity to lessen these. I will admit I used an e-cig for 4 days after quitting tobacco, but I went cold turkey on this when I realised how addictive it was.
I recently smoked a cigar for the first time since quitting tobacco in 2016 and I am not ashamed to say I did not enjoy it!
Quitting Smoking Cannabis for Vaping
Smoking cannabis was a hard habit to break. Despite the lack of addiction once tobacco is removed from the picture, smoking cannabis is and will always be an enjoyable experience.
To switch to vaping you will need to put the work in to transition your mind from expecting a stoney smoke high to the wonderful pure high that cannabis delivers when cannabinoids are vaporised.
If you can successfully change your habits and start vaping when you previously smoked, within 1-2 months you may find yourself wondering how and why you ever smoked when vaping was an option.
Conclusion
Vaping is the superior option in the vaping vs smoking debate. It took me a while to reach this conclusion based on my own consumption, but now I vape 95% of the time I find my relationship with this plant has reached new heights, fully on my own terms.
If I could turn back time, I would hand 18-year-old Tyler a decent vaporiser and simply say “Try this mate”, saving myself 8 years of tobacco-smoking-mixed-with-cannabis.
However, at this stage, several years on from smoking tobacco, my lungs are already significantly healed. And now, by vaping cannabis 95% of the time I am not doing anywhere near the levels of damage as my previous consumption habits.
Next step for me is 100% (cannabis) smoke-free. I will admit I’m not quite there yet, although I certainly see the benefits.
