Cannabis and vaping: a quick guide to getting started
By SQDC.ca | Published on November 20, 2025
You may have heard about vaping cannabis. Is it different from smoking a joint? How does a vape work? What should you expect if you choose this method of use?
With so much information available, it’s not always easy to find your way around.
From the vaping device per se to the differences from other methods of use, not to mention things to consider before taking the plunge, this introductory article provides an overview of the basic principles of cannabis vaping to help you make informed decisions.
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What is vaping?
Unlike joints, vaping does not use raw products like dried flowers or hash. What is consumed is actually a liquid cannabis extract held in a cartridge specially designed for vaping devices.
Once inhaled, the THC enters your blood through your lungs before attaching to a specific type of receptor in your brain. The cannabis effects begin to appear after only a few seconds, making vaping a fast-acting method of use. Be sure you're in a safe place before using it!
What is a vape?
A vape is an electronic device consisting mainly of a battery and a cartridge. The latter contains a liquid cannabis extract.
Several vaping devices are found on the regulated and unregulated market, including disposable vapes, 510 thread vapes, pod vapes and refillable vapes. While they may appear similar, the devices differ in several aspects and are not necessarily compatible with each other. More importantly, not all of them are legal.
Did you know?
In everyday language, the terms “vape,” “vape pen,” “wax pen” and “penjamin” are used interchangeably to refer to a vaping device. However, they don’t actually refer to the same type of device.
A wax pen is a small portable vape used to heat solid and semi-solid extracts like wax (hence the device’s name).
The SQDC doesn’t currently sell these types of product.
How does a vape work?
The main parts of a vaping device are the mouthpiece, the cartridge, which contains a liquid cannabis extract, the coil (heating element) and the battery.
When the user inhales though the mouthpiece, the battery powers up the coil inside the cartridge, heating (but not burning) the cannabis extract until it atomizes and forms an aerosol that is inhaled.
What’s the difference between vaping and other methods of cannabis use?
Vaping is one of four methods of use that involve inhaling (the other three are burning, vaporizing and dabbing).
How does vaping differ from the other methods? Though the effects experienced may seem similar and even more pronounced for some users, vaping differs in four main areas: the type of product used, the accessories required, the temperature to which the cannabis is heated and what is inhaled.
Learn more about the different inhalation-based methods of use.
What should I consider before vaping?
The vaping products sold by the SQDC are a lower-risk alternative to those found on the unregulated market. That said, cannabis use is never without risk.
If you decide to vape cannabis, here are a few tips to help ensure you have a positive experience :
- Choose products with a lower THC content.
- Begin with a short puff, then wait several hours before using more, if desired.
- Avoid using other psychoactive substances, such as nicotine and alcohol.
- Be around people you trust and in a safe environment.
How much others use should not be the basis for determining how much you use. Our advisors in store and on our online chat service are there to answer your questions and guide you toward a product that’s appropriate for you. Don’t hesitate to contact them!
Frequently asked questions
Products
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Is vaping safer than smoking?
Not necessarily. Vaping doesn’t involve smoke and avoids inhalation of various harmful products related to combustion. However, while the vaping products sold at the SQDC are a lower-risk alternative to those found on the unregulated market, cannabis use is never risk-free.
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Are there risks and adverse reactions associated with vaping?
Yes. All forms of use by inhaling can irritate the throat and lungs. Effects such as anxiety, dizziness and dry mouth may also appear. Use responsibly.
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What’s in vaping products?
A liquid cannabis extract that contains cannabinoids (THC or CBD, for example) and sometimes natural flavours, such as terpenes that occur naturally on cannabis plants.
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What are the effects of vaping cannabis?
For some people, the effects can sometimes appear slower and/or more intensely than when smoking a joint. They also vary depending on the product used, the amount consumed, the product’s THC content and each person's endocannabinoid system.
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Where can I ask questions and get advice about vaping?
SQDC advisors are there to guide you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to find a product appropriate for you.
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Does the SQDC sell vapes?
Yes, the SQDC has been offering vaping products since fall 2025. Vaping is an increasingly common method of consumption, and the SQDC provides products that are lower-risk compared to the unregulated market.
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Do all vapes work with all cartridges?
Not necessarily. There are different types of vapes (disposable, pod, 510 thread, etc.) and they’re not always compatible. That’s why you should always make sure you have the right type. However, all cartridges sold at the SQDC are compatible with the batteries it sells.
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I’ve never vaped before. How do I start?
Start slowly:
- Choose a product with a low THC content.
- Begin with a short puff, then wait at least an hour.
- Avoid combining with alcohol and nicotine.
- Be in a calm and safe environment with people you trust.
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Is vaping the same as smoking a joint?
No. Smoking a joint involves combusting (burning) cannabis flowers. Vaping involves heating – but not burning – a liquid extract in an electronic device that creates an aerosol instead of smoke.
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How does a vape work?
Vapes contain a battery and a cartridge. When the user inhales, the battery heats the extract in the cartridge, atomizing the extract and creating the aerosol that’s inhaled.
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What is cannabis vaping?
It’s a way of using cannabis without burning it. A small device, called a vape, is required. It heats a liquid cannabis extract to produce an aerosol that’s inhaled.
Other articles you may find interesting
Vaping: everything you need to know about its components and useful answers
Learn the anatomy of a cannabis vape: a simple guide to understanding the parts of a vape and how they work.
How to vape cannabis: how it works, effects, and ideal temperature
Vaping explained: duration of effects, dosage, vaping temperature and harm reduction. Gain a better understanding of this method of cannabis use.
How vapes work
How do cannabis vapes work? A simple, step-by-step guide to understanding the heating and inhalation process.
Questions?
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Our online chat service allows you to ask them your questions in a confidential and professional manner.
