E-Cigarettes: A Review of New Trends in Cannabis Use

Abstract

The emergence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has given cannabis smokers a new method of inhaling cannabinoids. E-cigs differ from traditional marijuana cigarettes in several respects. First, it is assumed that vaporizing cannabinoids at lower temperatures is safer because it produces smaller amounts of toxic substances than the hot combustion of a marijuana cigarette. Recreational cannabis users can discretely “vape” deodorized cannabis extracts with minimal annoyance to the people around them and less chance of detection. There are nevertheless several drawbacks worth mentioning: although manufacturing commercial (or homemade) cannabinoid-enriched electronic liquids (e-liquids) requires lengthy, complex processing, some are readily on the Internet despite their lack of quality control, expiry date, and conditions of preservation and, above all, any toxicological and clinical assessment. Besides these safety problems, the regulatory situation surrounding e-liquids is often unclear. More simply ground cannabis flowering heads or concentrated, oily THC extracts (such as butane honey oil or BHO) can be vaped in specially designed, pen-sized marijuana vaporizers. Analysis of a commercial e-liquid rich in cannabidiol showed that it contained a smaller dose of active ingredient than advertised; testing our laboratory-made, purified BHO, however, confirmed that it could be vaped in an e-cig to deliver a psychoactive dose of THC. The health consequences specific to vaping these cannabis preparations remain largely unknown and speculative due to the absence of comprehensive, robust scientific studies. The most significant health concerns involve the vaping of cannabinoids by children and teenagers. E-cigs could provide an alternative gateway to cannabis use for young people. Furthermore, vaping cannabinoids could lead to environmental and passive contamination.

Inhaled delivery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to rats by e-cigarette vapor technology

“…Despite the occasional effort to expose laboratory animals to marijuana smoke (Lichtman et al , 2001; Paule et al , 1992) the vast majority of studies have been conducted using parenteral injections (Maldonado, 2002; Pertwee, 2005; Scallet, 1991). Recent broad availability of non-combusting devices (e-cigarettes, Volcano® vaporizers, etc) capable of vaporizing or aerosolizing drugs has led to increasing adaptation for using marijuana materials (Etter, 2015; Giroud et al , 2015; Lee et al , 2016; Morean et al , 2015), including with populations using marijuana for medical relief (Borodovsky et al , 2016). Adverse health effects of these novel devices may span the range from the differential drug effects caused by the route of administration to effects of the vehicles in which drugs are vaporized.…”

Online survey characterizing vaporizer use among cannabis users

“…Vaporizing, or ‘vaping’ cannabis refers to the process of heating cannabis concentrates, liquid, or plant material to a temperature that releases an aerosolized mixture of water vapor and active cannabinoids, which is then consumed by inhalation. Vaping devices for cannabis vary widely, from large tabletop units to small pen-style devices that are similar to e-cigs, and depending on the device, additional substances such as flavoring agents can be added to enhance the vaping experience (Giroud et al, 2015). Few studies have examined the practice of vaping cannabis, and little is known about its prevalence, patterns, or consequences.…”

Electronic cigarettes and indoor air quality: a review of studies using human volunteers

“…As suggested by Farsalinos et al (69) there is a continuous improvement in the design, properties and safety features of the e-cigarettes parts, with new-generation atomizers featuring Pyrex glass and stainless steel structures substituting plastics and other metals. As the engineering technology in the fabrication of e-cigarette devices is now developing, it has been argued that there is a potential for a better reduction of unwanted and/or high levels of chemicals in e-cigarette vapors (31,70,71). The materials used in creating components of e-cigarettes have been shown to determine the constituents of the vapors such as the contents of heavy metal (31,38).…”