Whether you’re buying your first dry herb vape or looking to upgrade your current device, this guide explains everything you need to know, from the different types of vaporizers to the features you should look for.
A dry herb vaporizer is a device that heats dried cannabis flower without burning it. Instead of creating smoke, it produces a vapour that contains the cannabinoids and terpenes found in your prescribed medical cannabis. It is the only legal way to consume medical cannabis in the UK.
They are typically not sold by clinics, but can be instead found by online retailers and in local “vape shops”. Many patients prefer using a medical cannabis vaporizer because it allows them to inhale their medication without smoking it, making it a popular choice for prescribed cannabis flower.
Watch our video below to learn about a few types of vaporizers, what they look like, and how to use them.
If you’ve been prescribed medical cannabis, choosing the right dry herb vaporizer is an important part of your treatment. With so many options available, it’s not always easy to know which medical cannabis vaporizer is right for you.
When looking for the best dry herb vaporizer, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The right device depends on your lifestyle, budget and personal preferences.
Here are some of the most important features to consider.
If you’re new to medical cannabis, look for a dry herb vaporizer with simple controls, easy loading and straightforward cleaning.
Many modern vaporizers only require the press of a button to get started, making them ideal for beginners.
Most quality dry herb vaporizers allow you to choose your temperature. Lower temperatures can produce smoother vapour with more flavour, while higher temperatures create thicker vapour and stronger extraction. You should speak to your doctor about a recommended temperature for you to vape, as this may change based on your conditions and the time of day.
Being able to adjust the temperature lets you personalise your experience. If you’re new to cannabis, it may be less important to find a vape which lets you change the temperature to a specific degree. Some have ‘level’ settings which make things simpler!
If you’ll mainly use your portable dry herb vaporizer at home, battery life may not be a deciding factor. However, if you’ll be taking your vaporizer to work, travelling or using it throughout the day, a longer-lasting battery is worth considering.
Some vapes, such as those with a USB-C charging port, can be charged via a portable charger
Some portable dry herb vaporizers are small enough to fit in your pocket, while larger models often offer better battery life and larger herb chambers. Choosing the right size depends on where you plan to use your vaporizer most often.
The size of the chamber will also determine how much medicine you consume at once. If you’re new to cannabis you may want a smaller chamber, and some devices offer small metal elements that you can place inside which reduce the chamber size. This offers more choice of dosage for the patient.
Keeping your dry herb vape clean helps maintain good airflow, flavour and performance. Many vaporizers have removable mouthpieces and herb chambers, making regular cleaning quick and simple.
Stay tuned for our blog on cleaning DHVs, or visit our Instagram for a tutorial video!
Buying a vaporizer can be daunting as there are so many features to consider, let alone the price aspect. Cheaper vapes can be good to start with if you’re not sure they are worth the investment. However, many patients find that these are less efficient, and often people will buy a second more expensive vape after a few months. It can be cheaper to go for a mid-range vape to start with, since the total amount you’d spend is less than buying two!
Expensive vaporizers may be more efficient, and may work for a longer period of time. Buying many cheap vapes can also add up in price over time. You don’t need the most expensive device to get started. The best dry herb vaporizer is the one that suits your lifestyle and makes taking your prescribed medical cannabis as simple as possible.
Retailers can help to show you vapes in your price range. Our nurses can also recommend some vapes that other patients use during your follow-ups.
There are several different types of dry herb vaporizers, and each has its own advantages. The ones on the right in this image are electronic vaporizers. There are a few other special kind of models listed below:
It is not necessary to research every aspect of dry herb vaporizers to get started with medical cannabis. This can sometimes make it quite confusing and daunting. Your clinician or our admin team should be abke to provide guidance if you need any at all relating to this subject.
Things can get very technical when discussing the many types of DHVs. For those that are interested, there are options such as a mouthpiece connector which you can attach to a “water pipe” or bubbler, which cools down the vapour. Advanced vapes may include ones with large plastic bags that fill up with vapor (which you can slowly ‘sip’), or desktop vapes such as “ball vapes”. You could also look into the difference between convection and conduction vapes.
If you’re buying your first dry herb vaporizer, look for one that offers:
The best dry herb vaporizer depends on your needs. Beginners often prefer devices that are easy to use, while experienced patients may look for advanced features such as precise temperature control or dosing capsules.
Finding the right dry herb vaporizer doesn’t have to be difficult. By considering factors such as ease of use, battery life, temperature control and the type of vaporizer that best suits your lifestyle, you can choose a device that helps you get the most from your prescribed medical cannabis.
At Auravia Medical, we’re here to help patients make informed choices about their treatment, including selecting the right medical cannabis vaporizer for their needs.
