Vaporizing the pot world – easy, healthy, and cool

This article studies vaporizers – especially the vape pen – as a new technology in cannabis use. Until now, almost all information on the use of vaporizers or e-cigarettes for cannabis consumption has come from the internet, the popular press, and accounts by users, but not from the scientific literature. More research is need ed. Design/methodology/approach Since scientific studies of the phenomenon are virtually non-existent, I will also base my study on sociological reflections upon internet sites and articles published both in subcultural and mainstream media. For the first time, I will document a national estimate of the prevalence of vaping based on a recent population survey in Finland. Findings Vaping is an emerging trend in cannabis culture internationally. It has been seen as a healthier route of administration than traditional ways of smoking cannabis. Other images, created especially with the help of advanced high tech machinery and stylish and fashionable designs for the vape pen, are aiming at being cool and easy to use. In Finland, 6 per cent of cannabis users make regular use of a vaporizer, and around a quarter of users use one occasionally. A vape pen or e-cigarette was regularly used by 2.6 and occasionally by 9.1 per cent of cannabis users. Originality/value The trend of increasing vaping and the use of new devices has not been properly recognized among researchers. The article presents some original results from a national population survey.
Source: Drugs and Alcohol Today - Category: Addiction Source Type: research