Cannabis Vaporisers in Australia

Vaporisers are a common method of administering medicinal cannabis products in Australia. Unlike combustion, where the cannabis plant matter is burnt to create smoke, vaporisers work by gently heating up either dry cannabis flowers or cannabis extracts within their chambers. This creates a vapour that can then be inhaled through a mouthpiece. While the technology may vary slightly between different vaporiser devices, the primary goal remains the same: delivering cannabinoids to the body through the respiratory system.

Prescribers may recommend vaporisers for a number of different reasons. Compared to oral cannabis administration, inhaled cannabis generally has a faster onset of action, making it easier for patients to understand the effects of the medicine. When cannabis is inhaled, cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the lungs, bypassing the digestive system. As a result, the onset of action is rapid — usually within minutes — and the duration of effects tends to be shorter compared to orally consumed cannabis products.

Combustion, on the other hand, can produce harmful by-products such as carbon monoxide and tar. Vaporisation avoids the combustion process and therefore avoids the production of these by-products, making it a preferred delivery mechanism compared to smoking.

Types of Vaporisers

There are two main types of vaporiser used for medicinal cannabis: dry herb vaporisers and vape cartridges.

Dry Herb Vaporisers

Dry herb vaporisers are used to administer medicinal cannabis flower, which is the dried and cured product of the cannabis plant. Dry herb vaporisers heat the dried cannabis to a precise temperature, typically between 170°C–210°C, to produce a vapour that can then be inhaled.

Dry herb vaporisers may utilise either conduction or convection to heat cannabis:

Conduction vaporisers function through direct contact with the dry herb inside and heats it to the appropriate level. While conduction vaporisers have the advantage of heating up faster, they also have slightly less effective temperature control than convection vaporisers.
Convection vaporisers use hot air to heat the cannabis plant matter. The heating element warms the air that passes through contact with the cannabis and vaporises it. It functions in a similar way to an air fryer or a fan oven. Convection vaporisers tend to take longer to heat up. However, they are good at heating the cannabis evenly, which can lead to more effective and consistent vaporisation.

Vape Cartridges

Vape cartridges, also known as cannabis extract cartridges or 510 cartridges, are pre-filled containers containing liquid cannabis extract. These cartridges are prescribed by healthcare professionals and then attached to batteries which serve to heat the extract and produce an inhalable vapour. The cannabis extract can be THC-based, CBD-based, or a mixture of both. Vape cartridges are known for their convenience, pre-measured dosage, and often a more discreet experience.

It's also important to note that depending on the type of extract, different vaporisers or vaporiser temperatures should be used. As an example, a 510 vape cartridge may contain distillate, which is a more viscous cannabis extract, and therefore should not be used in a dry herb vaporiser.

How Vaporisers Work

Dry herb vaporisers and vape cartridges both work by heating cannabis products to their vaporisation point — the temperature at which cannabis compounds begin to turn into vapour. When the device is turned on, it heats up to a set temperature, which may be fixed or variable depending on the device. As the cannabis plant matter or extract is heated to this temperature, the cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) and terpenes begin to vaporise. These vapours then travel through the device and are inhaled by the user.

The temperature at which cannabis vaporises is crucial, as different cannabinoids and terpenes vaporise at different temperatures. Vaporising at a lower temperature (e.g., 160°C to 180°C) may produce a vapour that is rich in terpenes, which may contribute to the flavour and overall administration experience. At higher temperatures (e.g., 180°C to 210°C), more THC and other cannabinoids are vaporised.