The national media is all over a new story about how vaping cannabis is more potent than smoking cannabis. The media furor was sparked by the publication of a study in the journal JAMA. So you know, JAMA stands for Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study was led by researcher Tory Spindle of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Spindle found that regular marijuana users experienced more potent effects when vaporizing. Furthermore, it was found that the side effects increased at higher doses. Of course it does!
Vaporizing Vs Smoking
Vaporizing e-liquid or vaporizing the contents of dry herb is far different than combustion. With combustion, or smoking, the smoke created is a result of almost endless, violent chemical reactions that generates numerous toxins. In addition, much of the active ingredients are destroyed in the process or waft away. With vaporizing, the active ingredients are what is in the vapor. It is common knowledge that vaporizing THC is far more potent than smoking.
Is vaporizing nicotine more potent? That is a different question. For example, the amount of nicotine in a Marlboro and the amount of nicotine in vape juice are different. A Marlboro may have 12 mg of nicotine and 1 ml of 12 mg vape juice also has 12 mg. But in the case of smoking, other chemicals in the smoke accelerate the nicotine buzz.
At any rate, the point is that vaporizing is a different process than combustion. And that will generate different results. Overall, if you plan on using a vaporizer for cannabis, it will be a more potent experience.
