Vaping weed is the modern alternative to smoking it. Vaporization is the process of heating weed or CBD bud to specific temperatures below the point of combustion in a vaporizer. It produces a stream of vapor that is inhaled through a mouthpiece or bag.
Is vaping weed better than smoking it? “Better” is subjective. They are very different, so it depends on what you want from the experience — but they will both get you ripped! In this guide, you’ll be able to learn the differences between vaping vs. smoking weed and their various pros and cons.
Smoking weed, or smoking anything for that matter, produces tar and other harmful by products. Whether it’s through a bubbler, joint, pipe or ten-foot bong, it still relies on combustion.
While there hasn’t been a lot of studies conducted on the effects of vaporizing cannabis specifically, vaping nicotine is generally recognized to be at least 95% safer than smoking cigarettes by top UK scientists. It’s not a huge leap to make this assumption with pot. That’s why vaporization is the most recommended way of administering medicinal cannabis.
There are still some legitimate concerns about various devices on the market. Namely the very cheap ones made in China. We strongly urge you to only stick with trusted devices from reputable brands, no matter the country it was manufactured in.
The better vaporizers are designed so the vapor only passes through materials like ceramic, stainless steel and quartz—no plastics, rubber, glue, or soldering near the heating elements.
The most obvious reason to consider vaping over smoking is for your health, but there are other additional benefits. Vaping marijuana allows you to taste more distinction between strains, and it gives you control over temperature and is generally more convenient and discreet.
One of the drawbacks of vaping marijuana is that you need to learn how to use your device, keep it clean and make sure it is always charged or plugged in with desktop units. Another con of vaping bud is that it requires an initial investment in a vaporizer (and grinder). Lastly, the effects of vaporizing cannabis can are somewhat different than what you’re used to with smoking.
The major advantage of smoking over vaping is that it typically produces more intense overall effects. Smoking also doesn’t require as much of an investment. Also, the whole smoking ritual can be addictive – rolling up a joint or packing your favorite glass piece, yet another reason why some people still do it the old school way. Lastly, smoking is relatively low maintenance, it’s easy to roll up a joint, put it in your pocket and go about your business.
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.
No investment required: Smoking doesn’t require as much of an investment up front 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 in to vaping.
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.
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 main disadvantage of smoking vs. vaping are the health risks. It isn’t tobacco, but it’s still smoking. You also get less control over the effects, it leaves a much stronger smell and isn’t as efficient as vaping bud. The final downside to smoking is that you don’t notice the subtle nuances between strains as much as you would if you were vaping them.
“Better” is highly subjective, but vaping might suit you. For example, if you’re looking for a safer more discreet way to toke, or are a medicinal cannabis patient, then it probably is for you.
But if you are only trying to get completely blazed, smoking is the cheapest way to make that happen, just keep in mind the cons that come along with it.
The choice is yours, but every smoker should at least try vaping weed to see if they enjoy it. The differences between vaping marijuana vs. smoking can be night and day.
The taste is much clearer from a good vaporizer, with more flavor distinction between different strains. Flavor chasers who start vaping will find it hard to return to burning their precious buds and terpenes.
But what about you? Are you going to sick to smoking or embrace the technology? Let us know in the comments section.
This was a very well written article. Very informative without the bias. Thank you!
I agree. No bias. Fair writing. Be a journalist!!
Thank you, Mathew!
Thank you, Chris!
Helpful and informative. Regular smoking is too hard to regulate to find the right dosage for my medical needs. Will look more into vaping.
Thank you for the kind words beepea! I agree, vaping is not only easier to regulate but it’s also less risky than smoking. Finding the right dosage is not easy and will be different for everyone’s individual needs. It’s definitely worth looking in to.
Vaping doesn’t get me anywhere near high enough , it’s good for just taking the edge off but otherwise I end up using a lot more of my stash . I do have quite a lot of avb which has built up in a large coffee Jar ( it looks just like coffee Granuels so if anyone was to see it then they’d be none the wiser) . It is a plus but I do have to wait until I have quite a large quantity of it built up before I can use any of it to make edibles with… Read more »
Your over heating your flower if your AVB is the same colour as coffee, bro. Mine only ever went that colour after over vaping, over heating the flower you’ve put in.
Hey weekendpothead420, I agree. Smoking does provide a more intense experience than vaping dry herb, that’s probably why people are starting to switch over to the weed oil and wax pens.
By the way, here’s an article I wrote about what to do with your AVB that you might enjoy.
https://vaping360.com/best-weed-vaporizers/what-to-do-with-vaped-weed/
Is dry herb vaping :; safer than oil ; even if the oil is from a dispensary !!
It’s hard to say which practice is safer. What is definitely not safe is any cannabis oil vape that hasn’t been tested and shown to be free of adulterants like pesticides and vitamin E oil.
Everywhere else i read that vaping makes you way way higher than smoking So im not sure which is correct. However i bought a vaporizer online yestersay and its coming soon i will decide myself i guess
Hey Harry, well technically it can get you higher with the same amount of herb because it is more efficient. But I find the effects to be different, smoother and more subtle than smoking. You can crank it up to a higher temp and get a closer experience to smoking. Best of luck to you, vape on!
Agreed…vaping for me always results in a milder and more consistent high than when smoking.