Online survey characterizing vaporizer use among cannabis users

Abstract

Background Along with changes in cannabis laws in the United States and other countries, new products for consuming cannabis are emerging, with unclear public health implications. Vaporizing or “vaping” cannabis is gaining popularity, but little is known about its prevalence or consequences. Methods This study characterized the prevalence and current patterns of vaping cannabis among a large national sample of cannabis users. An online survey was distributed through Facebook ads targeting individuals with interests related to cannabis use. The sample comprised 2,910 cannabis users (age: 18-90, 84% male, 74% Caucasian). Results A majority (61%) endorsed lifetime prevalence of ever vaping, 37% reported vaping in the past 30 days, 20% reported vaping more than 100 lifetime days, and 12% endorsed vaping as their preferred method. Compared to those that had never vaped, vaporizer users were younger, more likely to be male, initiated cannabis at an earlier age, and were less likely to be African American. Those that preferred vaping reported it to be healthier, better tasting, produced better effects, and more satisfying. Only 14% reported a reduction in smoking cannabis since initiating vaping, and only 5% mixed cannabis with nicotine in a vaporizer. Many cannabis users report vaping cannabis, but currently only a small subset prefers vaping to smoking and reports frequent vaping. Conclusion Increases in availability and marketing of vaping devices, and the changing legal status of cannabis in the United States and other countries may influence patterns of use. Frequent monitoring is needed to assess the impact of changing cannabis laws and regulations.

Variation in cannabis potency and prices in a newly legal market: evidence from 30 million cannabis sales in Washington state

“…Lower enforcement risks for suppliers have increased innovation of more advanced methods of extraction, as well as provided greater access to the raw inputs needed to produce concentrates [54]. Demand for alternatives to smoked cannabis may also be a factor, as exploratory studies have indicated a growing perception that vaporizing is a healthier and more efficient method of consumption than is smoking [55–57], analogous to perceptions that electronic nicotine delivery systems are less harmful than cigarettes [58]. However, there is concern about the increased consumption of extracts, as their potential health consequences are largely unknown [59].…”

Electronic Cigarettes and Future Marijuana Use: A Longitudinal Study

“…As a result of marketing and social media promotion, 34,35 vaping cannabis is gaining popularity. 19,20 Youth who experiment with e-cigarettes may use the same device or switch to newer generation devices for vaping marijuana, 20,36 which could lead to use of substance with stronger addictive effects. 37 With these findings, we highlight the importance of policy and education to reduce risks for youth.…”

Traversing the triangulum: the intersection of tobacco, legalised marijuana and electronic vaporisers in Denver, Colorado: Table 1

“…13 Several quantitative studies examined some aspects of the triangulum, including co-use of combustible tobacco and marijuana, 14 perceptions of comparative harm of tobacco and marijuana, 15 prevalence of vaporiser use among marijuana users 16 17 and reasons for use of marijuana vaporisers. 17 18 Two qualitative studies examined the intersection of tobacco and marijuana by interviewing youth in Scotland. 13 19 The data in the studies, however, were collected over a decade ago and do not reflect changing legal and normative environments around marijuana or the proliferation of vaporising devices.…”

“…13 19 The data in the studies, however, were collected over a decade ago and do not reflect changing legal and normative environments around marijuana or the proliferation of vaporising devices. Several quantitative studies have addressed marijuana vaporisers use by adults, including Lee et al 17 and Etter,18 but neither was designed to explore in depth why users choose to vaporise marijuana, or the social or policy contexts shaping vaporiser use. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth, qualitative investigation of the triangulum in the 'natural laboratory' of Colorado.…”