Vape Pen

Definition: A vape pen is a slim, pen-shaped, battery-powered vaporizer used to inhale cannabis without burning it. Most cannabis vape pens use a pre-filled oil cartridge, but some are built for concentrates like wax or for dry flower. They heat material to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor rather than smoke.

How Does a Vape Pen Work?

A vape pen has a rechargeable battery, a heating element called an atomizer, and a chamber or cartridge that holds the material. When you inhale or press the button, the battery powers the atomizer, which heats the oil or concentrate into vapor. Most cartridge batteries use the universal 510 thread connection.

What Are the Types of Vape Pens?

• Cartridge pens: a battery paired with a pre-filled oil cart. The most common and easiest to use.
• Disposable vapes: an all-in-one pen pre-filled with oil and thrown away when empty or dead.
• Wax pens: an open chamber you load with wax, shatter, or rosin.
• Dry herb pens: compact dry herb vaporizers that heat ground flower. Larger portable units, like the one in our Utillian 5 vaporizer review, offer more temperature control.

Is Vaping Cannabis Safer Than Smoking?

Vaporizing avoids combustion, so it produces less of the tar and toxic byproducts found in smoke. That doesn’t make it risk-free. The 2019 EVALI outbreak, which hospitalized 2,807 people, was strongly linked by the CDC to vitamin E acetate in illicit THC cartridges. Buy carts only from licensed retailers with lab results, and remember that vaped THC hits fast and can be easy to overdo.

How Do You Use a Vape Pen?

Charge the battery, attach the cartridge, and take a slow, gentle draw for a few seconds. Many batteries have adjustable voltage settings. Lower settings taste better and are easier on the cartridge. Wait several minutes to gauge effects before taking another puff.

Related terms: Vape Cartridge, Atomizer, Wax Pen, 510 Threaded

Sources: CDC: Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products; DEA Drug Fact Sheet: Vaping and Marijuana Concentrates.