As cigarettes become a thing of the past, vaping has become a replacement for many smokers. In general, research on both shows vaping can be healthier than smoking cigarettes. When you vape, you are consuming vapors, not inhaling smoke filled with toxic chemicals.
Not only is vaping a healthier alternative to smoking, but the oils also come in a variety of flavors. For the smoker trying to quit or cut down, the oils can be purchased with different levels of nicotine in a cigarette. You can also choose e-liquids that contain CBD and, in some locations, THC. Whether you want an e-juice with THC vs. CBD depends on the results you are looking for. CBD is the non-psychoactive ingredient in pot that has many health benefits. So does THC but with the side-effect of getting you high.
What is THC Vape Juice?
E-juice, also known as e-liquid or vape oil, is the component of the vaping device that encompasses all the flavors, any nicotine, CBD, or THC. When heated, this juice is also the product that creates the vapor, giving the device its name. There are a wide variety of e-juice flavors to choose from. They can be mixed and matched to suit your personal tastes and needs.
The main ingredients used in the base of vape juices are propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). These two products mixed together give the oil a smooth texture in which flavors and other chemicals, such as nicotine and THC, can be easily added to. Often the base oil is compromised of more propylene glycol than vegetable glycerin. Propylene Glycol creates a thicker consistency.
Some e-liquids are designed with a higher level of vegetable glycerin. A higher VG will create a better vapor cloud. This is a selling point for vape smokers looking for the sub-ohm factor. A higher VG liquid is also a good alternative e-juice for users that are sensitive or allergic to propylene glycol.
Safety and Uses of THC Vape Juice
Safety-wise, propylene glycol has been used for more than fifty years in many household products. It’s an ingredient commonly utilized as a flavor carrier in foods, or a base ingredient in food coloring. It can also be found as an additive in medicines and in cosmetics.
Vegetable glycerin is not a chemical, but a plant-based product. VG is a clear, odorless liquid created from plant oils such as palm, coconut, or soy. The texture of vegetable glycerin is smooth, like the consistency of an oil or syrup. Vegetable glycerin is also used in foods and household items such as lotions, shampoos, and toothpaste. As an ingredient in consumer products, the VG used is required to be a USP grade. This is a 99% pure vegetable glycerin.
How to Use THC Vape Juice?
THC vape juice is used in weed vape pens or E-Juice vaporizers. A vape device is made up of a mouthpiece, atomizer, and cartridge that holds the e-liquid. Vape pens are thin, pen-like structures. They are a discrete way to carry your vape device with you.
Vaporizers, also called mods, are more substantial and less inconspicuous. Both vape pens and larger vaporizers are either pre-filled or are equipped to use vape cartridges. You can buy the cartridges pre-filled with vape oil or you can fill them with the e-liquid or liquids of your choice.
What are the Effects?
If you’re a newcomer to cannabis products, start with a low dosage of THC in your vape oil. The most common effects you get from vaping are like smoking a high THC strain of weed, no matter how low a dose. Vaping pot vs. smoking gives you a much stronger high with less product. E-liquid from a marijuana dispensary will have the ingredients labeled on the package, including THC level. Homemade e-juice is challenging to know the dose. It’s best to start with a low level of THC and work your way up slowly.
Homemade THC Vape Juice
You can make your own THC vape juice. As with any weed recipe, you first have to decarb your weed. Decarboxylation of marijuana is the way to activate the THC and CBD in any weed used to make edibles, or in this case, vape juice. The best method to create your weed vape juice will take some time and patience.
You’ll need:
- Decarbed marijuana flowers or buds
- Propylene Glycol
- USP grade vegetable glycerin
- Dark-colored jar with a tight-fitting lid
- Cheesecloth
- Rice press
- Container for your vape juice
To decarb your cannabis, preheat your oven to 225 ° F. Spread the desired amount of broken-down buds evenly on a baking sheet. Remove any stems. Bake for approximately 30 to 60 minutes or when done. Your decarbed weed is ready when it’s changed from green to light brown in color. Take the pan out of the oven to let your cannabis cool.
Preparing the Vape Juice
Place your decarbed marijuana into a dark-colored jar that has a tight-fitting lid. Mason jars for canning are an excellent choice. The dark color protects cannabis from sunlight which can weaken the potency of the mixture. Cover the decarbed weed with a 60/40 mix of propylene glycol to vegetable glycerin. You want a bit more PG to create a thicker oil. If you are sensitive to PG, make the mixture with more VG. Stir the mixture thoroughly. Cover with the tight-fitting lid and store in a cool, dark place for approximately three months or so.
During the storage period, stir the mixture occasionally. If the blend becomes dry, add more of the propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin mixture. After three months, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth into a container for your marijuana vape juice. Place the strained mixture into a rice press to squeeze out any remaining liquid.
Alternative Quick Method
If you’re the kind of person where quicker is better, you can use a double-boiler for a faster recipe.
For this method, you’ll need either a double boiler or two pans and a cooking thermometer. Follow the directions above, but instead of storing the mixture, place the jar in a double boiler. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can place a smaller pan inside a larger one. Add water to both. Place the jar in the smaller pan. Heat the water to approximately 180 °F. Simmer for one to four hours, depending on your patience level.
Stir the mixture frequently while simmering. When done, remove the jar from the pans and let cool slightly. Strain the mixture through the cheesecloth into your weed vape juice container. Give the cannabis mixture one more squeeze with the rice press to remove any remaining liquid. Your homemade marijuana vape juice is done!
You can use either recipe to make THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) vape juice for cartridges that fit a vape pen or a mod vaporizer.
