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Be prepared, but remember, concentrates will not be legal until at late fall at the earliest If you made it past the headline, chances are this is a topic of interest and you may even understand a thing or two about vape pens. As with any cannabis consumption method, […]
Be prepared, but remember, concentrates will not be legal until at late fall at the earliest
If you made it past the headline, chances are this is a topic of interest and you may even understand a thing or two about vape pens. As with any cannabis consumption method, there are pros and cons, though the most popular reason to vape is that it’s more discreet and may be better for the lungs than smoking. Unlike smoking, vaping heats the weed rather than burning it.
The GrowthOp tapped Damon Inlow, founder of Vaporizers.ca, a Canadian business that specializes in cannabis vaporizers and accessories, to help navigate the many options and identify some standout options in Canada at the moment.
But first, a legal caveat
There’s a bit of a hurdle when it comes to filling the old vape pen with cannabis: concentrate remains illegal in Canada. None of the government-approved dispensaries from coast to coast are selling the stuff.
Products that are part of the second phase of cannabis legalization are not expected to hit the store shelves until the tail end of fall or even early winter. Once they are, concentrates like oil and shatter for vape pens, as well as edibles and topicals, will have the legal go-ahead. Still, certain restrictions will be in place. Concentrates, for example, will have will have a maximum of 1,000 mg of THC per package (yes, package).
Despite the timeline, big players in the Canadian weed world are gearing up for Cannabis 2.0’s green light. “We are not ready to divulge specific information about our vape product offerings yet, but our focus has been on building a product with the user in mind, both in terms of the tech and design,” says Jordan Sinclair, vice-president of communications and media at Canopy Growth Corporation. “In the meantime, people looking to vape and who prefer a legal option can vape using dried flower,” says Sinclair, “whereas pens will be concentrated extracts like shatter or distillate.”
What to expect from a vape pen
As noted, most vape pens are meant to use concentrate, which comes in a variety of forms, including oil, shatter and wax, though some vape pens use dry flower and certain companies, such as U.S.-based Omura, are making vape pens with pre-packaged cartridges. Still, concentrate is what most experts reach for.
“Waxes are much easier and less messy to vaporize than oils,” says Inlow. “If you are using waxes and using smaller amounts, maintenance (in essence, replacing the atomizer more often) is minimal. You essentially keep the battery charged, make sure you vaporize your wax completely and do basic cleaning as needed.”
Royal Queen Seeds recommends wiping the mouthpiece and rim of the chamber as well as the screen (if one is used) with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol after each use. Additionally, each time a user tries a new strain, giving the entire device a cleaning.
Oil can “gunk up” the atomizer more quickly, Inlow points out, and, therefore, requires more maintenance. Basically, users will be replacing the parts more frequently than someone who sticks to wax. Still, atomizers/coils will need to be replaced eventually.
“They’re designed to be used up, as they are consumables,” says Inlow. “Heavy users can expect to replace the atomizer after a few weeks, whereas lighter users can expect a good one to last a couple of months. Cheaper atomizers will get used up quicker.”
Batteries, on the other hand, will last longer. Inlow expects that these can last six to 12 months on average.
Some of the best vape pen options in Canada
Inlow shares his take on some of the best vape pens currently on the market in Canada. Keep in mind, though, these pens all need concentrate, so while there will be a bit more waiting for the full experience, you will be fully legal.
Utillian 5 Wax Pen Kit: $89.99, plus taxes and shipping, which varies by province
Photo: As seen on torontovaporizer.ca
“The Utillian 5 Wax Pen Vaporizer is an absolute workhorse, as it features a massive 1,050 mAh (milliAmpere hours) battery, four heat settings, two black ceramic coils for better extraction and a USB charging port,” says Inlow.
This massive battery means even heavy users can expect to go a day or two before it needs to be recharged. (The average batter in a vape pen is around 650 mAh.) It also has an optional water bubbler that will help cool the vapour and can improve the experience, Inlow suggests.
Puffco Plus + V2 Wax/Oil Vaporizer: $119.95, plus taxes and shipping starting from $7.49
Photo: As seen on vaporizers.ca
This particular device doesn’t have a coil, so it’s easy to clean and also creates even heat distribution. “Simple construction and unique features make the Puffco Plus an essential tool for the connoisseur on the go,” says Inlow. “The all-ceramic chamber delivers optimal flavour, and the mouthpiece houses a removable ceramic loading tool with a convection cap, which minimizes splash back and efficiently retains oils,” he points out.
Linx Blaze Concentrate Pen, $179.99, plus taxes and shipping, which varies by province
Photo: As seen on rockyshorecannabis.ca
Released in March, the Linx Blaze is the Rolls-Royce of vape pens. It’s one of the best on the market and has the price tag to match. The pen has quartz and ceramic atomizers—said to be the first of its kind to use quartz, which improves the lifespan—along with a big 900 mAh battery.
Grenco Science G Pen Nova LXE Wax Vaporizer, $59.95, plus taxes and shipping, which varies by province
Photo: As seen on 180smoke.ca
“The Nova LXE’s crowning achievement lies in the core of its full-ceramic atomizer, where a patented reverse airflow and ‘check’ ball valve system generate complete and balanced heat to concentrates,” Inlow explains. “This provides big vapour at a great price point.”
Kandypens Gravity Wax Pen, $139, plus taxes and shipping, which varies by province
Photo: As seen on rockyshorecannabis.ca
Everyone knows the adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That maxim applies here. “This is an old-school pen that is small and lightweight, but it’s reliable, simple to use and comes with two coils,” Inlow says.
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