We have probably all seen, and smelled, someone smoking weed. Most likely, they were smoking our favourite Mary Jane in the form of a rolled up joint. However, others may have seen someone consuming the natural herb through a vaporizer, also known as “vaping.” Of the many ways one could consume cannabis (smoke it, eat it, vape it, dab it) much debate swirls around the pros and cons of using a vaporizer for marijuana versus traditional smoking. And most don’t know it but there is a vast difference in the quality of smoke that one receives when they are vaporizing marijuana vs smoking it which is why we’ve outlined the pros and cons of both methods below.

Health

Between the two options, vaporization is definitely the clear winner in the health department. Burning cannabis plant matter creates a lot of tar, similar to tobacco, whereas a proper vaporization piece releases just the essential oils of the plant because it stays below the point of combustion. When it comes to your wellbeing, vaporizers essentially give you all the good stuff and very little of the bad.

Discretion

Although a joint may just look like you’re smoking a cigarette, they aren’t as discrete as you may think. Perhaps the main reason portable vapes have become so common is because instead of creating a skunky, thick smoke that hangs on your clothes and hair, they create a soft smelling aerosol-like cloud that dissipates quickly and lingers for far less time. For those who want to get high before visiting grandma or walking into the dentist’s office, a vaporizer is definitely the way to go.

Ease of Use

If you think pushing a button on a USB-rechargeable vaporizer seems infinitely easier than rolling a joint, you are surprisingly wrong. The process of loading the chamber in a vaporizer can be tricky and continuously cleaning out the vaporized plant material can also be a hassle. The rechargeable feature may first be viewed as a pro but not when the device dies leaving you not-so-high and dry. Lighting up a joint has been and always will be a reliable and easy way to consume cannabis.

Flavour

Okay, let’s get to one of the most important factors in weighing your decision – the taste. Due to the plant material not actually burning, a vaporizer gives a clean flavour that is free from the at-times harsh and woody finish you get with smoking. The downside to both joints and vaporizers is that each hit degrades the flavour quality. Simply put, we recommend vaporizing oils rather than raw flower, as the flavour in a good concentrate will be much more apparent than you will ever see with regular weed.

Potency

Despite all the science in favour of vaporizers, the effects don’t actually last quite as long as smoking marijuana does. Plus, there is room for error if the vape’s temperature isn’t set correctly. Too low, and you get a wispy, impotent vapour that lacks any kind of punch. Too high, and you’ll get a fuller effect, but with severely degraded flavour.

The Verdict

Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking to get from your weed experience so you may need to just follow your gut…or your high. If you’re health conscious and looking for a clean way to consume the green herb vaping is your go-to. If you’re more into classics, aren’t as high-tech and don’t want to worry about batteries and maintenance then you should stick with the good ol’ joints. Whichever method you prefer, Crazy Bill’s has you covered with all of the materials you need to ride high.