Drug vaping applied to cannabis: Is "Cannavaping" a therapeutic alternative to marijuana?

Abstract

Therapeutic cannabis administration is increasingly used in Western countries due to its positive role in several pathologies. Dronabinol or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pills, ethanolic cannabis tinctures, oromucosal sprays or table vaporizing devices are available but other cannabinoids forms can be used. Inspired by the illegal practice of dabbing of butane hashish oil (BHO), cannabinoids from cannabis were extracted with butane gas, and the resulting concentrate (BHO) was atomized with specific vaporizing devices. The efficiency of "cannavaping," defined as the "vaping" of liquid refills for e-cigarettes enriched with cannabinoids, including BHO, was studied as an alternative route of administration for therapeutic cannabinoids. The results showed that illegal cannavaping would be subjected to marginal development due to the poor solubility of BHO in commercial liquid refills (especially those with high glycerin content). This prevents the manufacture of liquid refills with high BHO concentrations adopted by most recreational users of cannabis to feel the psychoactive effects more rapidly and extensively. Conversely, "therapeutic cannavaping" could be an efficient route for cannabinoids administration because less concentrated cannabinoids-enriched liquid refills are required. However, the electronic device marketed for therapeutic cannavaping should be carefully designed to minimize potential overheating and contaminant generation.

Figure 1. Temperature of the liquid near the coil and current monitored during one typical puff of 3 seconds.

Figure 2. Decarboxylation experimental protocols.

(1 g of liquid is consumed after about 200 puffs and the described cannabis cigarette is consumed after 15–20 puffs).

Figure 3. BHO fabrication design.

((A) Extraction setup [1. Butane lighter refill, 2. Teflon screw with central hole for can nozzle, 3. Rubber joints, 4. Cylindrical steel extractor, 5. Paper filter, 6. Wire sieve, 7. Steel screw with large central hole, 8. Pyrex recipient for BHO collection, 9. Plate for boiling water], (B) BHO in the plate after butane evaporation, (C) BHO paste collection).

Figure 4. Operating diagram and picture of the vaping device used to sample the gases and aerosols generated by the e-cigarettes.

((A) Diagram of the main parts of the vaping device with a focus on the temperature sensor location, (B) Photograph of the linear actuator, the glass syringe, and the first e-cigarette channel).