Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018 and is prescribed for chronic pain conditions when a patient is deemed to have exceptional clinical needs, and at least two other treatments have failed.
According to the NHS, very few people are likely to get a prescription for medical-grade cannabis, and it’s currently only prescribed for children and adults with rare forms of epilepsy, adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy, or people with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis. Cannabis-based medicine can only be prescribed on the NHS by a specialist hospital doctor, or under a specialist's supervision.
We spoke to Penelope Nam-Stephen, CEO of The Travel Agency’s Fifth Avenue and SoHo locations, for some insight into how dry herb vaporizers can help to improve your experience of medicinal-grade cannabis, and other legal holistic herbal blends on the market.
What is a dry herb vaporizer and how does it work?
“A dry herb vaporizer is a device designed to heat cannabis flower to release its active compounds in the form of aerosol. Vaporizers typically use either conduction or convection heating (or a hybrid of the two). This creates a flavourful vapour without burning the plant material, which is less harsh to inhale and preserves more of the natural compounds.”
What should someone consider before investing in a dry herb vaporizer?
“Evaluating overall quality and features like battery life and temperature control are important decision-making factors. Higher-end models typically offer more features and enhanced performance. Durability and performance are also important. Some models, like the PAX Plus, even come with a 10-year limited warranty, which is a strong consideration when purchasing any electronic device. Aesthetics and portability are also important considerations.”
What are the benefits of dry herb vaporizers?
“One of the core benefits of dry herb vaporization is that it provides an inhalation consumption method that reduces the intake of combustion byproducts.
“In addition, temperature control is really important for both preserving the natural flavours of cannabis through gentle heating, and also allowing consumers to tailor their own experiences by adjusting the temperature for more flavour or more vapour. Using a dry herb vaporizer is also much more efficient for extracting active compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes.”
What types of cannabis can be used in dry herb vaporizers?
“Typically, these devices are best suited for finely ground, high-quality flowers.”
Below, we’ve curated a selection of the best dry herb vaporizers to buy in the UK.
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Storz-Bickel MIGHTY+ Vaporizer
The premium German vaporizer manufacturers Storz-Bickel have been going since 1996, making them a trusted destination for all things conduction and convection. The MIGHTY+ Vaporizer is suitable for dry herbs of all types, though is not compatible with any tobacco products. It’s equipped with a handy USB-C socket, a supercharge function which boosts the device to 80 per cent in just 40 minutes, and a heat-up time of 60 seconds. The filling chamber is ceramic-coated, and it has a pre-set booster.
Buy now £281.40, Amazon
PAX Mini Premium Portable Vaporizer
Highly portable and powered by a simple one-button operation, the PAX Mini is a brilliant option for those in the market for a fuss-free, low-maintenance vaporizer. It heats up in 22 seconds and has over two hours of continuous battery life on a single charge. Chic and sleek, it has a 3D oven screen which pops out easily for a deeper clean.
Buy now £104.99, Amazon
Nectar Hex Dry Herb Vape
The Nectar Hex Dry Herb Vape is powered by a patented heating system which combines convection and conduction for premium flavour and distribution. It’s designed to detect each inhalation and works to intensify the inner heating mechanisms for consistency temporarily. The medical-grade chamber is impressively gold-plated for premium performance and hygiene, plus the device heats up in less than 20 seconds and reaches a maximum temperature of 240°C.
Buy now £169.00, Amazon
Xmax V3 Pro Dry Herb, Concentrate & Oil Vaporiser
Lightweight and discreet, Jurassic’s Xmax V3 Pro Dry Herb, Concentrate & Oil Vaporiser is a brilliant medicinal accessory. It uses convection heating, which is designed to only heat herbs or concentrates for 30 seconds at a time, reducing waste and ensuring consistency. The vaporiser comes with a handy wax cup for concentrates such as waxes and oil, as well as a magnetic mouthpiece and scraping tool, which makes cleaning easier than ever. You can select any temperature from 100 to 220°C in 1°C intervals.
Buy now £93.99, Amazon
Nectar Platinum Dry Herb Vape
Manufactured by a UK-based company, the Nectar Platinum Dry Herb Vape features precise temperature control with a maximum of 240°C. It has a patented ceramic, medical-grade ceramic chamber and comes with a full accessory pack for easy cleaning.
Buy now £114.99, Amazon
Arizer Solo 2 Portable Vaporizer
High-quality and highly convenient, the Arizer Solo 2 Portable Vaporizer is a beloved option for a reason. It offers a full three hours of continuous vaping when fully charged, and can also be used while charging for maximum lifespan. It has a fully digital display, a variable temperature range of between 50°C to 220°C, and heats up in just 30 seconds.
Buy now £143.14, Amazon
VapeMaster Deluxe Dry Herb Vaporizer Pen
Fabricated with food-grade stainless steel and aluminium, the Vapemaster Skywalker is a value-for-money option for on-the-go use. It has a ceramic chamber and three temperature settings of 205°C, 215°C, and 225°C so that you can find your perfect balance. It’s powered by a built-in lithium battery which lasts between 10 to 12 sessions between charges.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon
