Vape pens are some of the most popular ways of consuming marijuana, but users should know the difference between consuming vaporized cannabis vs flower.

There are many ways to consume marijuana but none of them are as easy and convenient as a vape pen. These devices can be purchased in dispensaries and come in different models, with some being disposable and others just requiring the switch of a cartridge and a quick charge. They have understandably become some of the most popular items in the cannabis industry, with a 50% increase in sales between 2017 and 2018.

While vape pens are not the most extreme form of consuming cannabis, they’re a bit of a departure if you’re used to smoking flower. Here are some of the most noticeable pros and cons of these devices.

Portability and Discretion

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Vape pens are some of the most portable and discreet ways of consuming cannabis. Once you have one you won’t have to worry about where you store your pen or who’s looking at you while you vape. These devices generally release a much more muted smell when compared to joints and pipes, and are also hard to distinguish from e-cigarettes.

Quick Consumption

One of the reasons why vape pens are so convenient is because you don’t need anything else (aside from the cannabis extract) to get high. Your plans won’t be derailed by a missing lighter and you won’t have to waste minutes in rolling up a joint or grinding weed and then packing it into a bowl.

Dosage

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Another positive aspect about vape pens is the fact that they’re much easier to manage than bongs and dabs. While either of those methods might get you too high from a single hit, this only occurs with vape pens if you take several hits in one go. Unless you’re a beginner or have little experience with vaporized cannabis, one hit of a vape pen won’t lead to an overdose.

Flavors

This might be a pro or a con depending on your perspective, but flavors are definitely one of the things that make vape pens more intriguing for a wide variety of users. Flavors make the smoke and the cannabis taste more palatable, especially if you’re someone who’s new to the drug and doesn’t enjoy the aromatic and weedy flavor and smell that occurs when consuming other forms of weed. Vape juices come in every flavor, whether that’s fruits, drinks, mint, and more.

There’s a Learning Curve

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Switching from smoking marijuana flower to vaping requires some adaptation since the latter tends to be a lot stronger. A 2018 study conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers analyzed two groups of subjects: one of them smoked concentrate and the other smoked flower. Both groups consumed the same dosage. The study found that subjects who smoked concentrate experienced more short term anxiety, paranoia, memory loss and distraction.

Need Charging

Unlike flower, bongs and dabs, vape pens must be charged. This shouldn’t be much of a hassle if you regularly charge your devices but it could lead to some annoyance if you lose the charger or if you forget and had planned to smoke on the go.

TLC

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Vape pens, depending on their price and level of complexity, demand some care. While disposable pens can be thrown away after they run out of juice, more expensive products demand regular cleanings, protection from extreme weather, a protective case and regular charge.