Medical cannabis vaporisers are devices that heat cannabis flower or extract cartridges until the product turns into inhalable vapour. They consist of several parts, including a heating chamber, which is similar to a small oven slowly heating the cannabis. As each medicinal compound of the cannabis reaches its boiling point, a vapour is released and collected in the heating chamber. After reaching the correct temperature, the vapour can be inhaled, and a vapour mist will be visible when exhaled.
Patients may be prescribed to inhale cannabis for quick onset of therapeutic benefit and acute symptom relief. Vaping is generally considered to be safer than smoking because the cannabis is not heated to dangerous temperatures.
What is vaporisation?
Vaporisation is the process of turning solid or liquid into gas. In terms of medical cannabis, vaporisers convert cannabis flower or oil into inhalable vapour. The product is heated without burning, allowing patients to experience the potentially beneficial effects of medical cannabis without breathing in harmful carcinogens produced through smoking. Cannabis vaporisers, or vapes, come in many different styles, varying in colour and shape, but often take on the appearance of a pen. This offers patients a discreet, easily accessible form of natural medicine that can also be charged and reused with a battery. Vapes are available to Australian patients with a valid medical cannabis prescription from a registered doctor.
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What are the different types of vaporisation?
The different types of vaporisation include conduction, convection, and hybrid vaporisation. Conduction involves directly heating cannabis product, convection indirectly heats it, and hybrid vaporising offers a combination of the two, Each type has its pros and cons, and whether a certain type of vape may be suitable for you depends on personal preferences and your treatment plans.
Conduction vaporisation
Conduction vaporisation involves direct contact with the dried flower of a cannabis plant. A great example of conduction we use every day is cooking food on a pan. The food cooks as a result of direct heat applied to the pan. When using cannabis flowers, the flowers (also known as buds) are exposed to high temperatures that cause them to emit inhalable vapour. Conduction vapes heat quickly and deliver fast results. However, they are slightly more prone to combustion than other forms of vaping. There is also a chance that not all flowers will be heated evenly, based on how much or how little is in the heating chamber.
Convection vaporisation
Convection vaporisers position their heating element below the chamber that contains the cannabis. This means the cannabis does not directly touch the heat. Instead, the hot air drawn through the chamber is what heats the cannabis. Convection vapes tend to heat their product more evenly, leading to a smoother and milder taste as opposed to conduction vaporisers. Patients also forgo the need to redistribute or shake the product to ensure even heating. To easily identify a convection vaporiser, check where the product is loaded. If there is space for a heating element underneath, it’s most likely a convection vape device.
Hybrid vaporisation
Hybrid vaporisation utilises both convection and conduction heating. These vaporisers often have a heating chamber that directly heats the cannabis and also heats air to pass over the product. This allows patients to experience the fast-heating benefits of conduction vapes, with the even burning and milder taste of convection vapes. The downside is it won’t taste quite as pure as a regular convection vaporiser, but it does offer consistent results. When exploring medical cannabis treatments with your doctor, they will discuss vaporiser options with you to determine the right product to suit your lifestyle and medical needs.
What are the types of cannabis products for vaporisers?
The primary types of cannabis products used in vaporisers are dry herbs and liquid extract. Although extracts are widely regarded as more concentrated and potent than dry flowers, using dry vaporisers tends to preserve the natural flavours and aromas of cannabis slightly better. There are currently no dried flower or cartridge extracts of medical cannabis that have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration TGA, so your doctor will need to obtain special approval from the TGA and relevant state health authorities to prescribe this form of medication.
Dry herb
Dry herb vaporisers heat dried cannabis flowers to produce vapour. The effects aren’t as concentrated as using extract, but dry cannabis flower can provide more natural flavours and aromas as it is unprocessed and should therefore contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes. Dry vapes heat cannabis at a lower temperature, allowing patients to experience stronger, natural flavours. There are a number of different medical cannabis strains available in Australia for use with dry vapes, each with unique effect profiles.
Dried herb devices can be larger and more expensive than extract vape devices but long-term use can be more affordable and can also keep a patient’s tolerance of THC lower (compared to high concentrate doses found in cartridges).
Extract/cartridge
Extracts, or concentrates, are typically supplied as cartridges which are small, sealed containers made of glass. These contain a concentrated cannabis extract, which can include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), as well as other cannabinoids and terpenes. The cartridge is heated in a device until vaporised. They tend to have a higher potency than cannabis flowers because the cannabinoids have been isolated as part of the extract process. Vaping extract or concentrate may result in a less distinguishable smell and reduced flavours as the flower has been processed. The vaping of extracts are considered more discreet and convenient than those of dried herb vaporisers. But, it can have higher ongoing costs than flower or even cannabis oil consumption as the price per mg is usually higher.
Why are cannabis vaporisers prescribed?
Cannabis vaporisers are prescribed for various reasons. Patients experiencing a range of health conditions may experience benefits from cannabis treatments, as they provide a form of medicine that delivers fast-acting effects. Before prescribing any kind of medical cannabis, your doctor will take into account your medical history, current health condition, and other medications you may be taking before determining what type of vape product may suit you. They may also consider your personal preferences. For example, some patients may request vaporisers if they dislike the taste of CBD oil or swallowing capsules. They may also state their preference for CBD-based product types if they are worried about having THC in their system for driving. Doctors in Australia are allowed to prescribe medical cannabis products to patients if they feel it will genuinely benefit their condition. Patients experiencing chronic conditions for long periods of time or getting little success from other treatments may be good candidates for a cannabis prescription.
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