Transitioning from Smoking to Vaping: Navigating UK Prescription Cannabis

The landscape of cannabis use in the UK has undergone significant transformation in recent years, especially since prescription cannabis became more widely available in 2018. However, one crucial aspect of this change is often misunderstood or overlooked: the distinction between smoking and vaping, particularly within the context of legally prescribed cannabis.

Smoking cannabis is prohibited under UK prescription cannabis legislation, making all forms of smoking cannabis unlawful. Understanding why this is the case and how to transition effectively to vaping or other forms of administration is essential for both patients and healthcare providers.

Why Smoking is Unhealthy…

Smoking cannabis, like smoking tobacco, involves combustion—the process of burning plant material, which releases a variety of harmful chemicals and toxins. When cannabis is smoked, this combustion creates tar and carcinogens that can damage the lungs and respiratory system. In fact, smoking cannabis can lead to similar respiratory issues as smoking cigarettes, such as chronic bronchitis and an increased risk of lung infections.

Additionally, smoking can exacerbate conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For patients using cannabis for medicinal purposes, these risks are particularly concerning. Smoking undermines the potential health benefits of cannabis by introducing additional health risks, which is why it is prohibited under UK prescription cannabis regulations.

Transitioning from Smoking to Vaping

For those accustomed to smoking cannabis, transitioning to vaping might seem daunting, but it’s an important step in aligning with the practical, legal, and health guidelines of prescribed cannabis use in the UK. Here are some tips to make the switch smoother:

1. Start with the Right Equipment: Choose a quality herbal vaporiser designed for cannabis flower. Ensure it offers temperature control, as different cannabinoids and terpenes vaporise at different temperatures, enhancing the therapeutic effects and overall experience.

2. Understand Dosage: Vaping can deliver a more potent dose of cannabinoids compared to smoking, as it avoids the loss of active compounds that occurs with combustion. Start with a lower dose and gradually increase it until you find your optimal level.

3. Learn Proper Technique: Unlike smoking, where you inhale deeply and hold the smoke, vaping requires you to inhale slowly and gently. This technique ensures that the vapor is efficiently absorbed by your lungs without causing irritation. All herbal vaporisers are slightly different, so it may take some time to become familiar with your device and how best to use it. Some devices require longer or shorter inhalations and slightly different temperatures to achieve the best effect.

4. Clean and Maintain Your Vaporiser: Regular maintenance of your vaporiser is crucial to ensure it works efficiently and remains hygienic. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and replace any parts as necessary. Online tutorials, such as those on YouTube, can be helpful for learning how to clean, fill, and use different vaporisers—just search for your device’s name and “cleaning tutorial” or “using tutorial.”

5. Be Patient: Transitioning from smoking to vaping might take some time. Be patient with yourself as you adjust to the new method of consumption and experiment with different strains and temperatures.

The Impact of Tobacco

Those who smoke tobacco may find vaping cannabis challenging at first. This is due to the bronchial-dilating effects of THC. Simply put, the compounds in cannabis open up the airways in your lungs. Smokers typically have tar and other by-products from smoking tobacco lodged in their lungs. When cannabis opens the airways, it can dislodge this tar, leading to coughing, sometimes aggressively.

If you’re a tobacco smoker looking to start vaping cannabis, you may find vaping difficult until you quit smoking. Even then, it can take several weeks for the tobacco by-products to clear from your airways (the cannabis may help speed this up). Once the transition is complete, patients often notice improved lung health and overall satisfaction.

As a side note, compounds in cannabis have been shown to help manage symptoms of withdrawal from substances like nicotine, such as stress, cravings, and poor sleep. Your herbal medicine might make it easier to quit smoking. Whatever you do, make sure to discuss your plans with your prescribing doctor for support and advice.

Societal Perceptions of Smoking and Vaping

Society’s views on smoking significantly impact the legitimisation of cannabis as a medicine. Smoking, in general, is heavily stigmatised due to its well-known health risks and association with recreational substance use.

This stigma extends to cannabis, even when used for medicinal purposes, making it harder for patients to be accepted when using cannabis in a way that mimics traditional smoking. Vaping, on the other hand, is increasingly recognised as a healthier alternative, not only for nicotine but also for cannabis.

“The ability to vape cannabis, whether through herbal vaporisers or oil cartridges, helps to destigmatise its medicinal use by distancing it from the negative connotations associated with smoking.

This shift in perception is crucial for the broader acceptance and legitimisation of cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment in the UK.”

Fears Around Vaping

Interestingly, vaping nicotine is also becoming less socially acceptable, largely due to reports of harm caused by additives in some over-the-counter products and concerns that nicotine vapes are being marketed toward young adults. Nicotine is highly addictive, leading to similar problems for consumers whether it is smoked or vaped.

Some fears have also arisen from health scares related to cannabis vapes in the USA. It’s important to understand that vaping prescription cannabis, whether using flower or cartridge (oil) vapes, involves medicines produced to the highest pharmaceutical standards. These products do not contain nicotine or harmful chemicals (such as Vitamin E Acetate) that were at the heart of the US cannabis vape scares, which involved non-pharmaceutical-grade products.

Herbal Vaporisers: A Brief Guide

Herbal vaporisers come in various forms, each designed to heat cannabis flower or oil to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes without reaching the point of combustion. Here’s a brief guide to choosing and using a herbal vaporiser:

• Portable vs. Desktop Vaporisers: Portable vaporisers are convenient and discreet, making them ideal for on-the-go use. Desktop vaporisers, though less portable, often provide more consistent and powerful vapor, making them a good choice for home use.
• Convection vs. Conduction Heating: Convection vaporisers heat the cannabis by passing hot air through it, which tends to provide more even heating and better flavor. Conduction vaporisers, on the other hand, heat the cannabis through direct contact with a hot surface, which can lead to faster heating times but may risk uneven vaporisation.
• Temperature Control: Look for vaporisers that allow precise temperature control. Different cannabinoids and terpenes vaporise at different temperatures, and having control over this can help you customise your experience and maximise the therapeutic effects.

Inhaled Medicines vs. Sublingual Administration

While vaping is a popular method of administering prescribed cannabis, it’s worth considering other methods such as sublingual oils and pastilles. Each method has its benefits and downsides:

•  Inhaled Medicines (Vaping): Vaping offers a rapid onset of effects, which can be beneficial for patients needing immediate relief, such as those suffering from chronic pain or anxiety. However, the effects of inhaled cannabis are often shorter-lasting compared to other methods, so it may require more frequent dosing.

• Sublingual Administration: Sublingual oils and pastilles are absorbed through the mucous membranes under the tongue, leading to a relatively fast onset of effects (typically within 15-30 minutes) and longer-lasting relief compared to inhalation. This method also avoids potential lung irritation, making it suitable for patients with respiratory issues. However, the effects may take longer to fully manifest compared to vaping, and the taste of sublingual products can be a barrier for some patients.

Conclusion

Navigating the complexities of prescription cannabis use in the UK requires an understanding of both the legal and health implications of different consumption methods. While smoking is rightly prohibited due to its health risks, vaping presents a viable and safer alternative that aligns with both medical guidelines and societal expectations. By making an informed transition to vaping or exploring other administration methods like sublingual oils, patients can fully realise the therapeutic benefits of cannabis while minimising potential harm.