Rise of the Cannabis Vape
When it comes to cannabis consumption, flower is king. Consuming cannabis by smoking dried herb in either paper, a bong, or a pipe has been the primary mode of consumption for eons. However, as the industry has grown and matured, new consumption methods have also grown in popularity. From medical patients looking for the best way to ease symptoms to recreational enthusiasts looking for a better way to get high, one newer method has led this growth: vaping.
Cannabis vapes have emerged as a leading choice for both medical patients and recreational users. Their appeal lies in several factors, including ease of use and absolute game-changing convenience. This on-growing trend highlights the versatility and convenience of cannabis vapes, setting the stage for their continued rise in the market.
History of Cannabis
The history of consuming cannabis goes back millennia and spans multiple regions of the world. In fact, cannabis has been in use almost as long as civilization has been around. It was first used for medicinal purposes in China over seven thousand years ago, then for religious purposes in India and the Middle East. Later, in the 1800s, cannabis made its way to the Western world, but soon after, it faced prohibition in the early 20th century. But in the 1960s, the counterculture movement reignited interest in cannabis. Over the preceding years, that interest has only continued to grow, eventually leading to its legalization in America, at first for medical use, but soon after recreationally as well.
Early Methods
In ancient times, cannabis was primarily consumed by smoking the dried plant or using it in medicinal concoctions. But as the use of the plant spread throughout the world from culture to culture, new methods came about, like the creation of hash in the Middle East to smoke or eat or the use of bhang in India, a potent drink made of cannabis, milk, and nuts.
Later Methods
In the 19th century, healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturers introduced products such as medical tinctures and extracts containing cannabis. More recently, the variety of consumption methods has expanded considerably with new cannabis products, including edibles, oils, and even topical rubs. But the latest innovation that continues to grow in popularity is the cannabis vape.
Cannabis Options
Before vaping, there were two primary ways to consume cannabis: smoking flower and edibles. Each has benefits and drawbacks.
Marijuana Herb / Flower
In the cannabis world, the word flower refers to the cured, dried buds of the female marijuana plant. These buds are the plant's most popular and widely used part because of their high THC and CBD content. It's the THC that delivers the desired psychoactive effects. For many cannabis users, flower is the purest and most traditional way to consume cannabis. But flower has its drawbacks.
Edibles
Another popular way to consume cannabis is the edible. With edible cannabis, people infuse food or drinks, usually in the form of candy or cookies, with THC, CBD, or both. Edibles offer an alternative to smoking flower. Edibles are discreet and often longer lasting. They come in various forms, including gummies, chocolates, baked goods, drinks, and more. Edibles are popular with users who prefer not to inhale their cannabis or who just love the convenience they offer.
Vapes
Cannabis vapes vaporize cannabis extracts into an inhalable aerosol. Vapes are a convenient and discreet way to consume cannabis and are often preferred over other methods due to their ease of use and portability. You can drop most vapes into your pocket or bag and are ready to go. Vapes come in various shapes and sizes and have many unique features and options. Vaping offers similar psychoactive effects as smoking flower but usually has a much smoother experience.
Since the introduction of the portable vaporizer in 2007, vapes have been a steadily growing cannabis industry trend. These tiny portable devices, initially designed for use with nicotine, were soon adapted to be used with cannabis and soon changed the industry. By using cannabis-infused oil and a battery-powered coil, vape users can quickly and discreetly take their THC experience wherever they want.
Vaping Benefits
Disposable vapes, when compared to smoking cannabis, have several significant benefits:
Discreetness - When it comes to discreetness, vapes win this one, hands down. The ability to drop a vape into a pocket, pull it out with one hand, take a hit, and drop it back into your pocket before you even exhale the vapor shows the absolute game-changing level of discreetness offered by AIO vapes and carts.
Less coughing - Vaping is easier on the throat and lungs. With no combustion, vapor is much cleaner when compared to smoking. There are fewer chemicals, toxins, and impurities, which lessens the risk of coughing.
Potency - Vaping can also offer a much higher potency when compared to flower. Vapes can hit up to 90% THC concentration, whereas most flower options usually pack around 15-30% THC, depending on the strain.
Control - Because of the level of control, even dosage, less harmful and cleaner smoke, the overall experience is so much smoother when compared to smoking cannabis flower.
Cost - Vaping can be more expensive as there is more technology in the devices and more processing of cannabis in the production of cannabis oils and concentrates. Flower is generally cheaper as all you need is the cannabis flower.
Convenience - We've said it here a couple of times, but it's worth repeating: in the convenience department, vaping has flower/herb beat, hands down.
A Growing Vape Market
The popularity of cannabis vapes in the medical field continues to grow. In markets such as Florida and Arizona, where medical cannabis is legal, vapes accounted for over 30% of cannabis sales in 2022, indicating a considerable uptick that continues to this day. Experts expect this growth trend to continue into 2025, with concentrates (including vapes and cartridges) outselling flower in more mature cannabis markets like Colorado, where cannabis vape sales spiked by over 35% from 2020 to 2021.
Doctors, clinics, and patients appreciate the reliability of concentrated cannabis (including vapes) and the broad selection of products available, highlighting the shift in how people are consuming their THC.
Ease of use
Because of the grab-and-go ease of using an all-in-one vape device, they are popular with consumers who want their cannabis to be portable. Whether out at the club, out of the night, or heading out of town for the weekend, AIO vapes and 510 carts are so easy to use. Just slip them in your pocket, bag, or purse—or even with some devices, hang them around your neck from a lanyard. All-in-one vapes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have various features.
Medical Marvels
Medical marijuana was the first legal form of cannabis in the U.S. As legalization expanded to 39 states, vapes have continued to gain traction as one of the preferred options for medical cannabis consumption. The steady rise in popularity of cannabis vapes within the medical field has made them the third most popular method for patients to consume marijuana, close behind flower and edibles.
The primary reason for this popularity is that, unlike smoking, vaping only heats cannabis oil enough to create an aerosol; this avoids combustion and reduces users' exposure to toxins and carcinogens. Many patients opt for vaping their cannabis due to its ability to provide quicker symptom relief, more precise dosage, and a gentler impact on the lungs. Additionally, vaping can be very discreet, making it a convenient choice for those seeking immediate and effective relief.
Rise of Recreational
After medical marijuana paved the way for legalization, recreational cannabis has also steadily gained mainstream acceptance, with growing calls in Washington, D.C., for federal rescheduling or even full national legalization. As of this writing, 24 states have laws allowing for recreational use—a number expected to rise in the coming years. With convenience and efficiency driving their popularity, vapes continue to solidify their place in the expanding cannabis market.
In Closing
Flower may be king, for now. But the king is aging and tired. And a new king is waiting to take the throne. As disposable vapes continue to grow in popularity and use by both medical patients and recreational cannabis users. You just can't beat their ease of use, portability, discreetness, flavor delivery, and power. And there are so many options for businesses and consumers to choose from. Cannabis vapes offer both medical patients and recreational users more exact dosage, greater potency, better ease of use, unmatched portability, and a very discreet way to consume THC.
To learn more, visit iKrusher's webpage and explore our incredible lineup of all-in-one disposable vapes.
Happy, healthier vaping!
