Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Vaping vs Smoking Weed
Vaping vs smoking weed, which is better?
Smoking is still the most popular method of consuming cannabis worldwide, although vaping is catching up fast. But how does smoking weed compare to vaping?
The past decade has witnessed a significant surge in both vaping and smoking of weed as the legal landscape of cannabis changes. However, this has led to a debate on the better consumption method.
As cannabis becomes more mainstream in Thailand, individuals need to understand the differences between the two consumption methods, the benefits and the potential risks they may pose.
As vaping is quickly gaining popularity, every cannabis consumer must be educated on vaping vs smoking and other alternative methods of cannabis consumption.
In this smoking vs vaping weed article, we deep dive into the differences between vaping and smoking weed, shedding light on the benefits and drawbacks to help you make a more informed choice.
What Is Vaping?
Vaping, short for vaporising, refers to inhaling and exhaling the vapour produced by an electronic vape device. Vaping has recently gained significant popularity in Thailand as an alternative to traditional weed smoking.
Vaping involves heating a cannabis extract, typically called an e-liquid or vape juice, using an electronic device to create a vapour or mist that can be inhaled.
Vaping devices come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. They range from simple disposable vape pens to more advanced and customizable devices such as box mods and desktop vaporizers such as Volcano by Storz and Bickel.
The more common and cheaper vape pens come in a pen-like design, making them more portable as they can fit in your pocket, just like a pen. However, all vaporizers have several things in common.
They all have a power source, usually a battery, a tank or reservoir to hold the cannabis extract, a mouthpiece, and a heating element. The heating element is generally referred to as the coil.
When you activate the vaping device by pressing a button or taking a drag, the battery is connected, bringing power to the heating element, which heats the e-liquid, turning it into vapour.
The vapour contains cannabis compounds, including THC, CBD and other cannabinoids. This vapour is then inhaled through a mouthpiece and into the lungs.
Vaping advocates in the vaping vs smoking debate cite the ability to choose from a wide range of e-liquid flavours as one of its attractions.
Vape extracts can contain artificial flavours, but most use terpenes to deliver more effects and a cannabis-like experience.
However, not all vaping devices are designed for use with e-liquid. Some are made for vaporising dry cannabis flower and even solid or wax concentrates.
When it comes to vaping vs smoking, vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking weed as it does not involve direct combustion. But it is not without its risks.
Benefits Of Vaping Weed
- Better flavour: Vaping typically provides better flavour as most terpenes are not instantly destroyed or masked as they are when you smoke. You can also vape at lower temperatures to enjoy even more volatile terpenes.
- Discreet: Vapes produce less odour than smoking and, therefore, are less easily noticeable than sparking up a joint.
- Control over temperature: Some vape devices have temperature controls that give you control over your sessions. If you want more flavour, lower temperatures are recommended.
- More efficient: Smoking weed delivers fewer cannabinoids into the bloodstream than vaping. Also, the already vaped bud may be used as an emergency smoke.
- It may be safer than smoking: Vaping may be better for your health as it does not produce tar and other harmful chemicals present in smoke.
Smoking Vs Vaping: The Cons Of Vaping
- It’s expensive: Solid vaporizers, especially those designed for dry herb, are not cheap. While you may also opt for disposable vapes, the cost adds up quickly.
- There’s a learning curve: it takes a moment to master operating, maintaining and using a vaping device. The learning curve is somehow steeper than in smoking.
While the experience can be cleaner and still get you high, smoking vs vaping advocates say the experience doesn’t feel as authentic as smoking.
Smoking Vs Vaping: The Old-school Way
Cannabis smoking is one of the oldest consumption methods. It is tried and tested over centuries, and some enthusiasts in the smoking vs vaping debate believe it’s the only proper way to enjoy weed.
Smoking weed involves the combustion of the dried buds or flowers of the cannabis plant. The heat from the ignited flower vaporises some terpenes and cannabinoids, including THC and CBD.
The smoke containing the cannabis compounds is inhaled into the lungs, where the terpenes and cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream, producing the psychoactive effects.
The most common methods of smoking weed include rolling it into a joint, blunt or spliff, using a pipe, or utilising a bong.
While cannabis smoke is arguably not as harmful as tobacco smoke, it still contains some compounds, such as tar which can harm the lungs, and several carcinogens.
Due to these health concerns, smoking cannabis is becoming less and less popular, especially among medical marijuana patients in Thailand.
Pros Of Smoking Cannabis
- Not as expensive as vaping: You only need high-quality weed buds, a grinder, rolling papers and a lighter, which are all inexpensive compared to vape devices.
You can save more money by buying weed online at The High Times, the leading cannabis dispensary known for offering high-quality weed at the lowest prices in Thailand.
You can also buy weed in-store in Bangkok at 764/3 Sukhumvit Road, Klongton, Klongtoei, Bangkok 10110. Or call us at 01-60023444 for local orders and delivery.
- Low maintenance: While you have to do general maintenance on bowls and bongs, smoking devices don’t require as much effort as vapes. If you use joints, all you have to do is roll them.
- It can be a ritual: The process of grinding, rolling, and smoking weed can be almost ritualistic, especially if you do regular group smoking sessions.
Cons Of Smoking Weed
- Wasteful: Once you light a joint, the combustion may destroy some cannabinoids. Also, joints continue burning even when you are not actively smoking them.
- Health risks associated with smoking: While it’s regarded as less harmful than tobacco, smoking weed still produces tar, some carcinogens and other toxic by-products.
- Less control: Once you spark up the joint, there’s less you can do to control the temperature or how much cannabinoids you inhale.
While you can try taking smaller puffs, vaping offers you more control.
- Easily detectable: Cannabis smoke has a powerful odour that can be detected from further away and lingers longer than vapour.
Best Cannabis Flower For Smoking Or Vaporizing In Thailand
1. Jack Herer – Sativa
Jack Herer is a potent sativa-dominant hybrid known for its happy, mood-lifting and energising high. If you are looking to buy weed online for daytime use, grab this premium Jack Herer flower at The High Times, the leading dispensary in Thailand.
This strain has a sweet and citrusy flavour that your palate won’t have enough of, whether vaping or smoking. Buy weed online in Bangkok today.
2. Banana OG – Indica
In the mood for some tropical fruit-flavoured high?
Buy this Banana OG at Thailand’s leading dispensary, The High Times, and enjoy potent indica effects and refreshing tropical flavours.
Banana OG, an offspring of the legendary OG Kush and Banana, is one of the best strains for vaping or smoking as it has incredible banana and cinnamon tastes and fast-hitting effects.
This strain is known for its mellow buzz that relaxes the body and mind.
Buy Banana OG weed online in Thailand or in-store at our cannabis dispensary at 764/3 Sukhumvit Road, Klongton, Klongtoei, Bangkok 10110. Or call us at 01-60023444 for local delivery.
Vaping Vs Smoking: Which Is Better?
There is no clear winner in the vaping vs smoking debate. Both deliver fast effects and are relatively easy-to-use methods.
However, research suggests that vaping may provide stronger effects than smoking, which is probably due to reduced wastage of cannabinoids.
Smoking, on the other hand, may feel more natural, especially in a group sesh with friends.
Vaping is also generally considered to be less harmful than smoking weed. The absence of combustion in vaping means many of the toxic by-products in smoke are also absent.
Research shows vaping may also reduce carbon monoxide and chronic respiratory symptoms.
However, it is worth noting that the long-term effects of vaping on lung health are still being studied.
There are also reports of some vape juices containing harmful cutting agents, such as Vitamin E acetate, which may hurt your lungs.
Smoking weed, on the other hand, is a tried and tested consumption method. It is cheaper than vaping, especially if you only use joints, and is generally low maintenance.
So which is better, vaping vs smoking?
Each comes with its pros and cons. Also, “better” is highly subjective as the choice depends entirely on your specific needs and situation.
If you want a safer, more discreet way to enjoy cannabis, vaping is probably your best bet. If you like to enjoy cannabis the old-school and cheaper way, especially with friends, smoking may be a better way.
Whether you go with vaping or smoking, you will need high-quality cannabis flower for the best experience. The High Times online dispensary is known for offering high-quality cannabis at the lowest prices.
To buy weed online in Thailand, check out our wide selection of cannabis products or purchase in-store at our dispensary at 764/3 Sukhumvit Road, Klongton, Klongtoei, Bangkok 10110. You can also call us at 01-60023444 for orders and local delivery.