By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of vaping or are vaping as you read this. If not, you’re wondering, what is vaping? Vaping is often seen as the modern alternative to actually burning a bowl. Being a relatively new marijuana byproduct, vaping vs smoking marijuana has become an interesting topic between canna-connoisseurs and newbies alike.

Going head-to-head, we are going to look at the methods of cannabis consumption and decide which is better – Vaping or Smoking? 

The Device Known As A Vaporizer

Vaping has risen high above the clouds in which they were formed, providing a superhero high compared to regular marijuana flower smoking. 

Vaporizers are known as the most efficient way to smoke marijuana. Vaporizing cannabis works by heating THC to a temperature between 250-400 degrees Fahrenheit which creates the titular vapor by creating high concentration cannabinoid steam.

Vaping is an amazing way to enjoy your favorite cannabis with little-to-no smell. 

The Volcano continues to reign supreme as far as dry herb vaporizers are concerned. Though initially expensive (between $250-600), it will help you get the most out of smoking your weed with the ability to re-burn vaped weed a couple of different times. These things also last a long time. 

If you're on a budget, there are plenty of vaporizer accessories and vape deals available through our website.

Vaping vs Smoking: Which Gets You Higher?

Recent studies have found that vaporizing your favorite marijuana does factually provide a grander high than smoking.

People who the studies followed had their health monitored such as blood drawn, blood pressure monitored, and heart rate monitored during different smoke sessions. When vaporized, marijuana can produce grander overall effects than smoked marijuana. Vaping has been reported to make people feel much higher than smoking regularly. 

Dosage for dosage, cannabis buds when smoked doesn’t compare to vaping.  

Vaping vs Smoking: Health Benefits

Though vaping is technically “healthier”, eating edibles is the only true way to consume marijuana without resulting in any bodily damage. Well-built vaporizers are designed to maintain that vapor only passes through materials like quartz or ceramic. They avoid plastics, glues, or rubber near vape heating elements.

Many medical patients have problematic respiratory systems and their lungs may be highly irritated by smoke, so they often find relief in vapor inhalation. 

Disadvantages of Vaping

• Bit of a learning curve: adjusting settings, general maintenance, and learning about proper temperatures. These can be trickier for older folks due to the curve so discretion is advised. If you are not inclined to learn about a new device, it may be best to stay away.

• There are concerns about random devices on the market. Do lots of device research and try to stick with well-received brands.

• Inhalation of smoke of any kind into your body isn’t necessarily good for your lungs. Smoke still contains particles that can create lung issues. 

• Long-term effects in terms of vaping are still pretty darn new. Long-term effects associated with vaping in any way are yet unknown. Black market/ street dealers don’t always sell up-to-par cartridges. These cartridges are often known as the vapes that killed people containing vitamin E and propylene glycol. 

• You possibly might get way too high.  Just like with smoking, it is possible to get way too high if you vape too much, which can be incredibly off-putting when wanting a good cannabis experience. Go slow

Smoking vs Vaping: Effects on Lungs

Novice consumers also tend to prefer vaporizing because the vapor can be inhaled in short puffs rather than deep breaths. Additionally, people appreciate the added benefit that it is more discreet to use a vaporizer.

Even though vaping may be considered better for you, whether it be weed, tobacco, or any other smoking substance, inhaling smoke of any kind is bad for your lung health.

The ugly truth about our precious cannabis flower comes in the method needed to activate the glorious THC: Combustion. 

When sparking up a bowl of glorious green flower, many stoners have experienced you tend to cough up unwanted inner mucus. Smoke tends to be harsher than a hit from a vaping device.

Vaping: Pros Vs Cons

The PROS

• Discreet: One of the most appealing aspects of vaping marijuana is that it doesn’t produce as much of an odor, especially at lower temps. In addition, vaping smells a lot less than smoke, so it’s a smart option if you’re trying to fly high under the radar.

• More pronounced flavor: Vaping typically produces a more pronounced flavor than smoking. You taste the individual terpenes and cannabinoid profiles of each strain more distinctly, whereas smoking obliterates the taste and subtle nuances between strains. But, keep in mind that the flavor will significantly diminish towards the end of the sessions.

• Control over temperature: Most weed vaporizers have adjustable heat settings that give you control over the temperature throughout your session. It takes a bit of trial and error to find the best temperature for vaping weed but it can produce a range of effects from mellow and uplifting to a more intense euphoric experience.

• Efficiency: Vaporizing weed allows you to extract the cannabinoids from your dry herb slowly and effectively. You can often get multiple sessions from a single pack. Already vaped bud, or ABV, can also be used to create edibles and tea, or even as an emergency smoke or vape. On the other hand, when you combust weed, it turns to ash and is no longer valuable or even a thing.

• No lighter/matches required: Vaporizers don’t require an external heat source, so you’ll never have an incident where you’re stranded with weed and no lighter. 

The CONS

• The learning curve: Unlike smoking, there is a significant learning curve with vaping cannabis. It takes experience to learn how to vape weed properly, getting the right grind and pack, learning to adjust the settings, and how to inhale from your device.

• Requires general maintenance: Vaping marijuana requires a bit of maintenance versus smoking it. Keeping your vaporizer clean and in top shape is essential to its performance. After every few sessions, it is imperative that you clean your vape — but this is similar to having glassware.

• Typically requires a grinder: Most vaporizers don’t function properly without a medium to fine grind. This calls for a good grinder, especially if you’re using a portable vape that runs on conduction heating (which the vast majority do). Grinding increases surface area and allows all of the cannabinoids and terpenes to be extracted from the plant more efficiently.

• Not cheap: A solid device for vaporizing cannabis isn’t cheap. There are a few decent inexpensive vapes out there, but they typically run upwards of $100. Luckily, they save you money in the long since vaporization is a more efficient method.

• The device MUST be charged or plugged in: You won’t need a lighter, but if your device isn’t charged or near a wall socket, then you’re out of luck. The good news is that when it is fully charged, most portable vapes can provide several sessions before needing a recharge.

Smoking: Pros Vs Cons

The PROS

• Smoking is a ritual: The entire process of rolling, packing, smoking can become almost ritualistic at times. It can be difficult for some to break this routine.

• More intense effects: Smoking dry herb can more quickly create intense and euphoric effects. The extreme temperatures of fire immediately release all of the cannabinoids responsible for this more sedative effect such as THC in addition to THCv.

• Standard investment required: Smoking doesn’t require as much of an investment upfront unless you are buying a big fancy glass piece. It’s so much cheaper to just buy some rolling papers, which prevents a lot of smokers from delving into vaping.

• No learning curve: Smoking is simple and doesn’t require a lot of practice. Anyone can light up a joint or bowl, and it’s easy to know when your session is over. Vaping pot is more complex and requires a bit of experience and knowledge.

• Low maintenance: There is some general maintenance involved with pipes or bowls, but they typically don’t require as much effort as cleaning a vaporizer. Joints, on the other hand, are relatively low maintenance, aside from having to roll them.

The CONS

• Risks associated with combustion: The reality is, although weed smoke is said to be less harmful than tobacco smoke, it’s still smoke! There is a common misconception that although smoking tobacco is bad for you, smoking marijuana isn’t. When any plant matter is combusted it produces tar, carcinogens, and other by-products like toluene, naphthalene, and benzene. This is an unavoidable consequence of smoking, not to mention the hazards of second-hand smoke and using an open flame.

• Less control: There isn’t much you can do to control the effects of smoking. You can find a strain with less THC, take smaller puffs, or roll your joint a little tighter, but that’s about it. Vaping gives you a lot more control over the overall experience.

• Not as efficient: Smokers tend to burn through their stash quicker than people who vape it. Once you smoke a joint or a bowl, it’s gone. When you vape it, the herb is cooked much slower, giving you more opportunity to extract every last drop of THC.

• Stronger odor: Smoke can be detected from much further away and it lingers for longer than vapor. It’s not even close! When you vape weed, it has an aroma, but it doesn’t have the same burnt smell and it dissipates quicker, especially after airing out the room.

The Verdict?

The winner… well, that’s up to you, really. It's all personal preference.

If you’re looking for a safer, discreet way to smoke, or if you are a medicinal marijuana patient, vaping might be best for you. But, if you seek to get completely blazed, smoking is a cheaper route.

Ultimately, the choice is yours my dear friend, but keep an open mind and if you haven’t tried vaping weed, try it.

You may enjoy it.

The differences between vaping vs. smoking marijuana can be night and day.