jason-crawford

Medically Reviewed by
Jason Crawford

Article Last Updated on December 28, 2022

If you’re not into vaping (yet), you probably keep hearing about vaping weed with e-cigs, and it all may sound a little confusing because e-cigs are usually associated with tobacco. 

Well, the world of vaping has long expanded into the cannabis territory, so it’s no wonder that using e-cigs to vape weed is a thing now. Actually, e-cigs and vape pens are kind of synonymous, but for any additional explanation, keep reading. In this article, we’ll talk about e-cigs and how to vape weed with e-cigs, as well as how to buy the real thing.

What Kind of Vaping Products Are E-Cigs?

E-cigs (short for e-cigarettes or electronic cigarettes) are battery-powered vaping devices used for inhaling aerosol (mist), also called vapor, produced by heating a liquid at a certain temperature. 

When e-cigs first hit the market, they were created as a substitute for tobacco cigarettes. They were filled with a liquid, also called e-liquid or vape juice, that contained nicotine and artificial flavorings, but no tobacco. Over the years, the cannabis community saw the appeal in e-cigs, and now they’re also used for vaping weed. 

How are e-cigs different from vape pens, you ask? They aren’t. The terms are often used synonymously because they’re both the same type of product. Although there are different types of vaporizers, vape pens and e-cigs refer to the same type of vaping product, which can be either disposable or reusable.  The only difference is that cannabis e-cigs are filled with half a gram or a gram of cannabis e-liquid or vape juice and contain no nicotine.

The Contents of Cannabis E-Liquids

The e-cigs used to vape cannabis are filled with an e-liquid that contains cannabinoids, terpenes, and cutting agents. Most e-liquids are high in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), but you can also find some that predominantly or only contain CBD (cannabidiol).

More specifically, vape juice contains: 

  • Cannabis oil (hash oil) or THC oil, which are forms of cannabis concentrate;
  • Cutting agents, such as vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol, which are added to thin out the oil and make it easier to vape. The safety of the latter two is still debated;
  • Additives, such as terpenes and/or flavorings, to make it more palatable.

The Anatomy of a Cannabis E-Cig

Cannabis e-cigs are usually one-piece vaping devices that can’t be dismantled and come pre-filled with vape juice. However, there are also reusable models where you can keep the battery and replace the cartridge. 

They consist of a few elements:

  • The mouthpiece from where you pull on the vapor;
  • The cartridge, which holds the e-liquid. In some models, this part is replaceable;
  • An atomizer which contains a heating element or heating coil that soaks up the e-liquid and heats it to a certain temperature until it starts vaporizing;
  • A switch (power button) which activates the heating element;
  • A battery that powers the vaporization process.
  • Reusable e-cigs come with a charger.

What Makes E-Cigs Different From Other Types of Vaporizers?

What makes cannabis e-cigs different from other types of vapes is that they vaporize a liquid that’s not pure cannabis concentrate. When you look at the ingredients, you’ll probably find that the vape juice contains 97% cannabis oil while the remaining 3% are cutting agents and additives. It’s much different than vaporizers that vaporize dabs, which are pure cannabis concentrates, and dry herb vaporizers, which vaporize dry cannabis flowers.

Compared to herb vapes and dab vapes, which can be an investment because they’re usually more expensive due to being reusable devices, cannabis e-cigs are less of a commitment, especially the disposable ones. They’re great if you’re new to vaporizing cannabis and want to try it out before you fully commit to it. What’s more, e-cigs are very flavorful due to the added terpenes, which can be a big plus if that’s important to you.

How to Vape Weed With An E-Cig?

E-cigs are easy to use because they already come pre-filled with vape juice so you don’t need to do it yourself. You just have to make sure that the battery is charged before you vape. 

All you need to do is press the power button, wait a few seconds for the vapor to start forming, and inhale through the mouthpiece. When you’re done, store your e-cig somewhere safe (where you won’t have to worry about it breaking).

Most e-cig models nowadays have temperature control settings, so you can adjust the temperature to your liking, depending on the effect you’re trying to achieve. We have a guide on vaping and THC temperature which you can check out here.

Before You Buy One, Learn the Dangers of Counterfeit E-Cigs

In recent years, the use of e-cigs has spread rapidly, leading to a lot of counterfeit products being sold on the market which proved to be a threat to public health. Since there was a lack of quality control at the time, many people ended up using fake e-cigs. This led to an outbreak of thousands of reported lung injuries in 2019 and hundreds of deaths. Upon investigation, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) revealed that it was all due to vaping counterfeit products.

The CDC and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) worked closely to discover the reason for this outbreak, and they found that the additive Vitamin E acetate that was present in the counterfeit products caused major lung inflammation in many people. Following the outbreak, quality control of e-cigs increased, as well as the awareness of the dangers of these fake products.

That being said, you should always buy from licensed dispensaries and avoid ordering online from shops you don’t know well, especially if the price seems too good to be true or if the ingredients aren’t clearly listed. You can check out our guide on how to spot fake e-cigs and THC oil for more information.

The Takeaway

As you can see, vaping with e-cigs isn’t limited to just nicotine as it’s also used for vaping weed. However, e-cigs and vape pens are used interchangeably because they refer to the same type of device. E-cigs are filled with vape juice or e-liquid which contains cannabis oil, thinning agents, and flavorings. It has high levels of THC, but there are some e-cigs that also contain CBD. 

E-cigs are easy to use and they’re a good way to get acquainted with vaping weed before you commit to it with reusable vaporizers. Finally, always pay attention to the ingredients and buy from licensed dispensaries in order to avoid buying counterfeit products that are hazardous to your health.

A passionate advocate for the benefits of cannabis. Fraser Horton, who has a background in botany and a strong love of nature, has spent years researching how cannabis affects the body and mind. He established Leaf Nation in 2020, where he has devoted himself to educating people about the legalisation of marijuana and its safe and responsible use. Fraser is committed to highlighting cannabis’ potential for improving wellness and working to dispel the stigma associated with its use.

Disclaimer

The information presented on this page is provided as a public service to aid in education and is derived from sources believed to be reliable. Readers are responsible for making their own assessment of the topics discussed here. In no event shall Leaf Nation be held reliable for any injury, loss or damage that could happen if using or abusing drugs.