A PAX-authored study comparing vaporized cannabis to joint smoke found significantly lower levels of certain compounds under controlled lab conditions.
A new research paper is adding fresh data to a long-running question in cannabis consumption: how vaporizing compares to smoking when it comes to chemical exposure.
The research—conducted by Richard Rucker, who serves as PAX’s director of product integrity, and Derek Shiokari, a senior chemist and data scientist at the company—compared aerosol generated by PAX’s dry herb vaporization device (FLOW) and its oil vaporization device (TRIP) with smoke from combusted marijuana joints.
Using the same batch of ground Lemon Cake Batter cannabis from Humboldt Farms, the team analyzed 16 harmful or potentially harmful compounds (HPHCs) across both consumption methods. Under standardized lab conditions, the study reports reductions of up to 99% in measured compounds when cannabis was vaporized rather than combusted.
What the Study Found
The research focused on compounds commonly associated with combustion, including benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde—substances also monitored in tobacco smoke due to their potential toxicity.
To ensure consistency, both smoking and vaporization were tested using identical puffing parameters, including two-second draws, consistent airflow, and fixed intervals between puffs. This approach was designed to isolate the effects of combustion itself.
Across the measured compounds, vaporized aerosol showed significantly lower concentrations compared to joint smoke. For example, formaldehyde levels measured in joint smoke were substantially higher than those detected in vapor, with similar patterns observed across several other analytes.
The study also found that smoke from a combusted joint contained a far more complex chemical profile, with nearly 189 compounds identified in qualitative analysis. In contrast, vaporized aerosol consisted primarily of cannabinoids and terpenes, with fewer detectable secondary byproducts.
“Combustion produces harmful byproducts—whether it’s tobacco, wood, or cannabis,” said Rucker in a press release. “ …
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Author: Holly Crawford / High Times
