Humans have been using the cannabis plant for thousands of years. We have found ways to utilise the crop and its derivatives for everything from building materials and clothing to medicine, food, and recreation. This diverse plant can be consumed in a variety of ways, including as drinks and edibles, through topical application, and of course, via smoking.
In fact, smoking remains by far the most popular way to consume cannabis. A 2022 survey of cannabis users in Canada conducted by Health Canada (where cannabis has been legal for recreational purposes since 2018) found that 70% of past-year consumers reported smoking as their method of consumption. Yet, there are signs that the tide is changing.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at dry herb vaporisers to understand how they work, and the benefits of vaping medical cannabis.
Key takeaways
Contents
A dry herb vaporiser is an electronic device that offers an alternative method to inhale cannabis.
Like smoking, vaporising applies temperature to dried cannabis flower to release the active compounds within. The resulting vapour can then, like smoke, be inhaled into the lungs where cannabinoids and terpenes are absorbed into the bloodstream. However, unlike smoking cannabis joints, bongs, or pipes, vaporisers utilise vaporisation as opposed to combustion.
Inhalation works faster than other methods to consume cannabinoids such as CBD and THC, there is no surprise that cannabis vaporisers are becoming an increasingly popular option.
Like other kinds of vaporisers, including oil pens and wax pens, dry herb vaporisers apply heat to the consumable products (in this case, dry cannabis flower) to prompt the vaporisation (the transition from liquid to gas form) of the active ingredients within.
Most dry herb vaporisers feature a “chamber” where ground cannabis flower is placed and heat is applied. Once the vapour is released, it can be inhaled through the mouthpiece of the vaporiser.
Depending on the type of dry herb vaporiser, these temperatures are applied via either convection or conduction:
Convection vaporisers work in a similar way to a fan oven, circulating heat around the cannabis flower to raise the temperature in the chamber. As the chamber heats up, the cannabis begins to release a cannabinoid-rich vapour.
Conduction vaporisers apply heat from the heating element directly to the plant matter inside the chamber. This can be compared to the way food is heated up in a frying pan. Compared to convection vaporisers, conduction models tend to disperse heat less evenly.
Combustion is the scientific name of the burning process, i.e., the chemical reaction between a fuel (in this case, cannabis) and an oxidant (usually oxygen).
Combustion of cannabis and tobacco can involve temperatures of up to 900°C, far above those needed to release valuable cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant matter. So, is vaporisation the same as combustion? Well, put simply, no!
In contrast to the extremely high temperatures seen in combustion, vaporising involves much lower temperatures. In fact, the majority of dry herb vaporisers will have a maximum temperature setting of around 200 to 220°C. While you might think that this would make vaporising a less effective consumption method compared to smoking, the opposite may actually be true.
Evidence suggests that many active compounds found in cannabis may begin to degrade when exposed to the high temperatures caused by combustion. This could mean that a significant proportion of the cannabinoids and terpenes in your cannabis may be destroyed before they enter the body.
Cannabinoids, the most significant medicinal compounds found in cannabis, have varying boiling points; however, almost all of these boiling points sit in a range of between around 50°C and 200°C, well within the range of most dry herb vaporisers. For example, CBD is believed to reach boiling point at around 180°C while THC begins to vaporise at around 157°C.
Applying lower temperatures could help to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes in your cannabis flower allowing you to get the most out of each dose.
To use a dry herb vaporiser there are just a few simple steps to follow which include:
Grind your medical cannabis flower and measure the right amount of your dose to insert into the vaporiser.
Load the ground medical cannabis flower into the chamber.
You will then have to turn the vaporiser on and allow it to heat up.
Once heated, inhale the vapour slowly and take your prescribed dose as your specialist sets.
Keeping your grinder clean prevents mould, find out how to on our blog on how to clean your grinder and visit our tips for vaping blog for how to use your vaporiser effectively.
While there is some evidence to suggest that cannabis smoke is not as harmful as tobacco smoke, inhaling any kind of smoke can pose significant health risks. Combustion of plant materials is known to release a number of toxic compounds, including carcinogens, that can have a negative impact on various aspects of your health.
Avoiding combustion through vaporisation prevents the release of many of these harmful compounds. Furthermore, the vapour released by a dry herb vaporiser tends to be cooler and less harsh than cannabis smoke. This could help to prevent irritation in the throat and lungs during and after consumption.
Of course, there is a downside to dry herb vaporisers, though compared to their benefits, they are minimal. Given the various components involved, vaporisers require some maintenance, including cleaning, and potential part replacements. Depending on the type of vaporiser, you may be required to dismantle and clean each part separately. However, you should always be given guidance on the appropriate maintenance requirements for your device.
Like e-cigarettes and some other vaping products, dry herb vaporisers are legal in the UK. In recent years, a number of dry herb vaporisers are certified as medical devices. This provides patients with peace of mind over the quality and safety of the products they use to medicate. Some examples include Storz-Bickel’s Mighty Medic, Mighty+ Medic and Volcano Medic; however, other high-quality options are available.
As mentioned above, like oil and wax pens or e-liquid vapes, dry herb vaporisers involve gently heating an ingredient to create vapour. The difference is that a dry herb vaporisers heats cannabis flower itself while vape pens heat a cannabis extract. High-quality cannabis flower (such as that prescribed by medical clinics) shouldn’t contain any additives or potentially harmful products.
Vapes can also be part of a medical cannabis prescription. Prescribed THC vapes contain prefilled cartridges that contain prescribed cannabis extract and are dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.
The issue comes from oil and wax pens bought outside of a prescription. These are illegal and unregulated so there's no reliable way to know what they contain. In the UK, doctors never prescribe cannabis to be smoked, it is either prescribed as a flower to use in a dry herb vape or as a THC vape cartridge.
Dry herb vaporisers are becoming increasingly common in the UK for medical cannabis patients. Not only is it convenient, it is also a legal way to inhale medical cannabis (unlike smoking) and has improved health credentials. Not only could dry herb vaporisers help you to get more out of your cannabis flower as it retains more of the cannabis compounds.
If you’ve been prescribed medical cannabis flower then yes. Smoking cannabis, even when prescribed, is illegal. Vaporisers heat cannabis without burning it, so it releases most of the active compounds found in the cannabis flower while producing fewer harmful by-products of smoking and are easily portable.
Yes, vaporisers do work, and provide the quickest onset of effects, with them usually being felt within 10 to 15 minutes.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
As of 12 August 2026, Releaf has the highest Trustpilot score, 4.8 from 9,598 reviews. Curaleaf received an overall CQC rating of ‘Good’, Alternaleaf advertises appointments for £29, while Mamedica's £200 Access Scheme is designed to potentially reduce long-term clinic costs. The right clinic for you will depend on what you value most from a clinic, but comparing the full treatment experience, rather than a single headline figure, is essential.
On the 7th July 2026, Releaf became the first medical cannabis clinic in the world to become B Corp certified. Verified by the non-profit B Lab, the certification sets in stone that Releaf is meeting the highest standard of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and has made a commitment to continue improving the way we serve not only our patients, but also our team, and the wider community.
We are proud to announce a new partnership between Releaf and brainstrust, the UK charity supporting people affected by a brain tumour. Together, we want to make sure that anyone living with a brain tumour has access to compassionate, expert care through the most trusted medical cannabis clinic in the UK. Here is what the partnership means and how patients currently in treatment can get in touch.
"Since starting my treatment plan with Releaf, I’m genuinely shocked at how well it has worked."Chloe Durrington, Releaf patient
