Enlarge this image toggle caption It's a sunny afternoon at Kelly's Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles, and Nikki Esquibel is getting stoned.But you wouldn't know it.toggle caption The 19-year-old, who has a medical prescription for marijuana, is "smoking" pot with a handheld vaporizer, or a vape pen.It's sleek, black, and virtually indistinguishable from a high-end e-cigarette.That's the point, says Esquibel."I use it mostly around my neighborhood.It's easy to hide."The vapor coming from the device doesn't even have much of an odor.Discretion, it turns out, makes for good money.While e-cigarettes have been grabbing the headlines, the vape pen industry has been quietly ballooning.And it's reshaping the business and culture of marijuana.The latest versions of e-cigarettes contain a battery-powered heating element that vaporizes a liquid containing nicotine.Vape pens for pot use the same mechanism, but the devices are optimized to vaporize the active molecules in concentrated marijuana oils, not nicotine.

And just as with e-cigs, there's no fire or smoke.Pot users are flocking to the pens: One out of three reviews on Leafly, the Yelp of the pot world, is about vaping marijuana.Enlarge this image toggle caption Andres Rodriguez/Flickr Andres Rodriguez/Flickr The pen doesn't carry the stigma or notoriety of a bong or joint, says Todd Mitchem, an executive at O.pen Vape, which sells its products on the West Coast and in Colorado."We are getting people buying vape pens who wouldn't normally come into a [marijuana] dispensary," he tells Shots."Now, all of a sudden, they have an alternative [to smoking pot]," he adds.Two years ago, Chris Folkerts was selling vape pens out of the trunk of his car.Today his company, Grenco Science, has 6,000 square feet of prime real estate in central Los Angeles."You could never get your mom to hit a bong," he says."But your mom would potentially hit a G Pen.My grandmother did too!And I have god-fearing Christian grandparents from the Midwest.

When they tried it, I knew I was on to something."Most vape pens don't actually vaporize the marijuana plant.vapor shop in fremont caThey're loaded with marijuana concentrates, or "hash oil": a viscous, yellow resin chemically extracted from the plant.apollo vape mod reviewIn many places, that extraction often occurs in somebody's kitchen — which can be explosive and dangerous.vapor store leesburg flAnd the concentrates can be strong.vaporizer brisbane cityMarijuana flowers can contain up to about 20 percent THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes you feel high.e-cigarette desechable

But the concentrates can contain up to 90 percent THC.Esquibel says she almost fainted when she took her first hit.volcano vaporizer mietenThose high THC levels worry Allen St. Pierre, executive director of the National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws, a nonprofit lobbying group working to broadly legalize marijuana use.c rig vape for saleShots - Health News Evidence On Marijuana's Health Effects Is Hazy At Best Shots - Health News Marijuana May Hurt The Developing Teen Brain "Between the fact that you can potentially pass out with a single inhalation, or you can have such property damage and potential bodily harm just producing it ... these [issues of the vape pen] definitely need to be addressed," he says.g pro vaporizer nz

"This is a screaming call for regulation if there ever was one."Most states, such as California, that allow the sale and use of medical marijuana don't have rules on the books about marijuana concentrates or about vaping the substance.davinci review vapeCalifornia is considering a ban on concentrates, while Colorado and Washington allow them.The sale and use of vape pens is legal in every state.And what about the health effects of vaping pot compared with smoking it?"The problem is that, right now, it's hard to tell how much [THC] you are actually getting when you take a puff of one of these things," says Mark Kleiman, who studies marijuana laws and policies at the University of California, Los Angeles."The risk of getting wrecked is a lot higher."And given that the output of vape pens doesn't have the telltale marijuana smell, Kleiman is also concerned about what the rising popularity of the devices means for parents and teachers.

"For them this will be a nightmare," he tells Shots."If I am running a school or a house and I have a nose, I can tell if my kids are smoking pot.But if they're using a vape pen, forget about it."PG (Propylene Glycol) vs.VG (Vegetable Glycerin)When it comes to e-juice, two terms constantly crop up: PG and VG.This can seem confusing to the newcomer, but knowledge of these two ingredients can vastly improve your vaping experience.Here’s our easy-to-follow guide on everything you need to know about PG and VG.What are PG and VG?In simple terms: PG and VG are the odourless liquids that are combined with flavour and nicotine to create e-juice Both PG and VG belong to the alcohol chemical class (despite the name, they are not intoxicating).Though e-liquid is sometimes called “oil,” it isn’t really oil at all, and can’t cause any of the medical issues — like lipoid pneumonia — that inhaling actual oils can.They produce vapour when heated, which allow them to be inhaled.The two fluids have a different consistency to each other, and also have a slightly different taste.

They have distinct mouth and throat sensations when vaped.Most modern e-liquid uses a combination of the two fluids, though the ratio can vary dramatically.Some vaping set-ups can only work with a certain level of PG and VG.Choosing the wrong PG/VG ratio can put first-timers off so be careful to choose the right level for your equipment.​ Now let’s take a look at each in more detail.PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG)What exactly is it?PG stands for Propylene Glycol, a petroleum by-product.The fluid has no odour or colour, and is less viscous than VG.In vaping it is used to provide a ‘throat hit’, which some users claim is similar to the sensation experienced when smoking tobacco.It also carries flavour more effectively than VG, meaning it’s the most commonly used suspension fluid for flavour concentrates and nicotine.How is it used?Propylene Glycol can be found in various common household items.Amongst others, these include:​ Nicotine inhalers Toothpaste and other oral hygiene products Medical products used orally, injected or as topical formulations Pet food Beauty products, including make-up, shampoo and baby wipes Is it safe?Studies have shown that PG is safe to ingest orally, and the FDA has deemed it “generally recognized as safe” to be used as a food additive.

However, most studies into the safety of propylene glycol look at ingestion, rather than consuming it in aerosol form.Of the limited studies that exist, a long-term experiment held in 1947 judged that inhaling PG was ‘completely harmless’.A 2010 study looking at PGEs (a mixture of propylene glycol and glycol ethers) suggested an increased risk of developing respiratory and immune disorders in children, such as asthma, hay fever and eczema.However, it was judged that glycol ethers, and not PG, are the more likely cause.Looking at the evidence, it is sensible to assume that PG is safe to be inhaled, but there is a need for more comprehensive studies to confirm this.Many misinformed scaremongering stories in the media claim that PG is a toxic substance used in anti-freeze.However, there are two types of anti-freeze: toxic and “non-toxic”.The toxic anti-freeze uses the dangerous substance referred to as actually ethylene glycol, but it is not used in vaping.Typically PG-based anti-freeze is used in food-processing machinery where toxic anti-freeze could be problematic, and is also sold at retail as “pet-safe” anti-freeze.

While PG is regarded as safe for humans, it can cause serious harm to pets.It is generally regarded as safe as a food additive for dogs, but has been linked to Heinz body anaemia in cats.Be careful when vaping around pets, particularly if you have cats and use PG in your e-liquid.What should I be aware of when vaping PG?Some people find a high level of PG irritating to the throat.True allergies to PG are rare, but have been reported.If you find yourself coming out in a rash, or suffering other unpleasant reactions after using PG-based e-fluid, you may have a more common mild sensitivity to PG, and should look at using high-VG juice instead.Many vendors offer this option.The most common side effects of using e-liquid containing propylene glycol are dry mouth, sore throat, and increased thirst.These symptoms usually last anywhere from a few days to a week as the body gets used to the propylene glycol.It is advised to drink more water and liquids then usual for the first few weeks of using your e-cigarette.

Be aware that any unusual reactions could be side effects from quitting smoking, and not necessarily because of the PG.VEGETABLE GLYCERIN (VG)What exactly is it?VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin.It is a natural chemical, derived from vegetable oil, so is safe for vegetarians.It is commonly used in e-liquid to give a ‘thick’ sensation to vapour.VG has a slightly sweet taste and is considerably thicker than PG.The hit from a high VG fluid is a lot smoother than with PG, making it more suitable for sub-ohm vaping.While nicotine and flavourings are commonly suspended in PG, some vendors are offering a VG alternative, to enable 100% VG mixes.What is it used for?Again, it can be found in numerous medical, food and personal care products: Sweetener as sugar replacement Beauty products, such as make-up, mousse, bubble bath, aftershave, and deodorant Pet food Soap and hand cream Food such as baked goods, to increase moisture To provide thick gel for certain medicinal creams, capsule pills and jellies Toothpaste and other dental care products Is it safe?The FDA has classified VG as “generally recognized as safe” and it is widely regarded as one of the most benign substances known to man.

The SIDS assessment profile show it to have low toxicity when consumed, and of low potential to irritate the skin or eye.This, along with the widespread use of VG in food and medicine suggest it is safe for humans.However, as with PG, there are limited studies on VG being inhaled as opposed to ingestion.A 2008 study of the toxicity of inhaling aerosolised glycerol found minimal risks.We can assume the use of VG in vaping has no serious impact on health but, as with PG, we would welcome more detailed studies.It is important to note that the risk of being allergic to vegetable glycerin is very low, making it a useful alternative for people who have issues when vaping e-juice containing PG.If you are allergic to palm oil or coconut oil then VG could prove a problem, but this is relatively uncommon.Diabetics could possibly experience problems with metabolising VG, but this would not be an issue at the levels used in vaping.What should I be aware of when using VG?The increased thickness of VG means it can reduce the life of atomisers quicker than PG-based juice.

High VG liquids clog up coils more rapidly, and will not work well, if at all, in certain tanks.Older products are especially susceptible, particularly models that use smaller coils such as clearomizers.The Nautilus range, Innokin iclears and eGo tanks are some of the more well-known tanks that are known to have difficulties dealing with high VG fluid.The most common side effect of vaping high VG e-liquid is a dry mouth, sore throat, and increased thirst.Again, be sure to drink plenty of water and take a break from vaping if necessary.What PG/VG ratio should I use?There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this.It depends on the kind of vaping experience you prefer.Many people use various levels of PG and VG for different purposes: Throat Hit – If you enjoy a sharp throat hit when vaping then you’ll prefer a high PG vape.The ‘kick’ at the back of the throat, is something many ex-smokers crave, and PG (along with the nicotine) provides more of this than VG.PG carries flavour marginally better than VG, so the flavour will be slightly improved.

Smoothness – High VG fluid tends to give a much smoother feeling on the throat, with a more substantial ‘thicker’ mouthfeel.The flavour is slightly muted in VG fluids, but this can be countered by using more power to produce more vapour.Be careful to stay within the voltage/wattage limits of your atomiser, or you risk dry hits, or even damaging your equipment.Stealth Vaping – If you want to keep your vaping lowkey in public then high PG is the way to go.Less vapour is produced when exhaled, making this ideal for the less ostentatious vaping enthusiast.However, you should always apply common sense.Vaping in certain places, such as waiting rooms and on public transport, is often outlawed and is simply bad manners.As vaping is relatively new, we have a duty to be aware of public opinion and behave responsibly.Cloudchasing – Cloudchasing involves exhaling dense clouds of vapour, the thicker the better.There are even competitive events based around this activity, where the person producing the biggest clouds wins.

If this appeals then high VG is the only option – the higher the better.What kind of set-up do I need?It isn’t as simple as deciding on a high VG or PG fluid and hoping for the best.It all comes down to your equipment.If it isn’t suitable for the job, it can lead to unpleasant throat irritation or wicking problems resulting in dry hits.Clearomizer Tanks – The clearomizer is one of the most common styles of tanks for vaping, and include the Aspire Nautilus series and the Kanger Protank.These take coils in the 1.2-2.5 ohms range, and are usually vaped below 15w.These are not generally suitable for high VG fluids, as their coils cannot cope well with thick goopy fluid and can lead to unpleasant dry hits of burning cotton.It is advised to use high PG fluid, or a 50/50 ratio, when using this kind of tank.Sub-Ohm Tanks – These tanks include the Aspire Atlantis and Kanger Subtank among others.They can take a lot more power than standard clearomizers and are designed to deal well with high VG juice.

Vaping at this increased battery strength uses up e-juice a lot quicker than with, so you’ll find your juice disappearing more quickly than with high PG fluids.If you want to know more about this, check our detailed guide to sub-ohm vaping, and some essential advice on battery safety.RDA/Drippers – If you prefer to use a dripper, you have a lot more flexibility on your e-liquid ratio.It still depends on what strength coil you use – sub-ohm coils for high VG, higher ohms coils for high PG – but you don’t have to worry as much about your cotton wicking properly.As ever, the ratio boils down to personal preference, but the norm for dripping tends to be a 30/70 PG/VG mix.Tips for PG/VG DIY E-LiquidThe best way to find your PG/VG ‘sweet spot’ to experiment by making your own e-juice.It’s surprisingly easy to do, and very cost-effective.You can check this out in more detail in our beginners’ guide to DIY, but here are some things to be aware of: Steeping – If you make high VG juice, you might find this will take longer to steep.

This is especially relevant to complex multi-flavour recipes.Single-flavour recipes using a high PG ratio will often take less time to steep, and sometimes be ready immediately.You can read more about this in our detailed guide to steeping e-juice.Flavourings And Nicotine – The majority of flavour concentrates and nicotine available are suspended in PG.It’s important to factor this in when making high VG e-juice as the higher the % of nicotine and flavour, the more the VG level drops.It is possible to buy nicotine and flavourings suspended in VG but this is less common.Thinning Juice – If you have made juice with a high VG ratio, your coil might have problems with wicking the thick gloopy fluid.The solution is to add some distilled water to your juice to help thin it out.This will help the cotton absorb the fluid quicker.ConclusionThe basics of PG and VG are quite easy to grasp.They both work in different ways, and each has advantages and disadvantages.Our advice is to start with a 50-50 PG to VG ratio then try out various combinations and see which you prefer.