Soon, Medicinal cannabis flower will soon be available via prescription from your doctor. One of the only methods of administering the medication will be via inhalation, specifically excluding smoking. The inhalation method involves heating the medication using a dry-herb vaporiser, to a temperature that produces a vapor containing the desired cannabinoids. This vapor is then inhaled by the patient and onset of effects will soon follow. Vaporising cannabis using a dry-herb vaporiser is inherently safer, healthier, and more efficient than smoking. Evidence of this can be found in the studies below:
So, what dry herb vaporisers can be purchased in New Zealand, and what are the difference between the dry herb vaporisers and cartridge vaporisers?
A dry-herb vaporiser is designed to be used with ground, dried cannabis flower. While the heating mechanisms used to vaporise the dry herb can vary across different devices and manufacturers, the basic concept remains the same. The dried herb is heated in a chamber to a temperature above 160 degrees Celsius at which point the cannabinoids can be inhaled in vapor form.
The dry herb vaporisers that are classed as medical devices in New Zealand are:
A cartridge vaporiser utilises pods that come pre-filled with medication. Normally these cartridges are filled with a cannabis extract in liquid form and are not cross compatible with other devices. While some cartridge vaporisers can be imported and sold in New Zealand under the medical device regime, the pre-filled cartridges that are used with them do not yet meet the minimum quality standards set by the Medicinal Cannabis Agency and therefore cannot be prescribed or sold.
Some studies commissioned by third parties to explore the efficacy and safety of the Storz & Bickel Medical Device range can be found below:
]]>Excellent Customer Service
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Guaranteed Delivery
All MediVape products are legally permitted to be imported, sold, and possessed in New Zealand. This means that (with the exception of pre-orders for some new products) when you make a purchase from MediVape, the stock is already at our Auckland warehouse ready for efficient and safe delivery anywhere in NZ.
Free Shipping
MediVape offers free shipping NZ wide (RD included) when you spend over $100. We use NZ Post to deliver any items you purchase using a track and trace courier service and you will receive a tracking code when your order dispatch is confirmed.
MediVape is New Zealand's only authorized Storz & Bickel Importer and Distributor
MediVape works directly with Storz & Bickel, importing their range of high quality medical devices direct from the manufacturing plant in Germany, giving you peace of mind that your device is new and authentic.
Warranty
All of our medical vaporisers come with a 2 or 3 year warranty with support from Storz & Bickel. When you purchase your medicinal cannabis vaporiser from us, we register your product with Storz & Bickel so that if anything goes wrong the team at MediVape and Storz & Bickel will be able to help you out.
Multiple Payment Options
Because MediVape's parent company is a licensed medicinal cannabis operator, we are able to provide a variety of payment options that other retailers cannot. You can choose from options including Credit Card, and Account2Account bank transfer. MediVape makes it easy to find a payment option that suits you.
Community Services Card Discount
MediVape offers a discount to current community service card holders. To find out more about this offer, drop us an email at contact@medivape.co.nz
Terpenes are responsible for the characteristic scent of cannabis, along with other plants such as lavender or lemons. Terpenes have many biological roles including attracting pollinators or repelling predators. They also play a protective role as part of the plants immune system. May terpenes are bioactive which means the may affect the human body. This effect will vary depending on the type, concentration and how it is consumed.
Terpenes evaporate from cannabis and hemp when the flowers trichomes are in direct contact with the air in a jar, bag or container. Catching a powerful nose whiff when opening a container of cannabis is actually a warning sign that terpenes are evaporating - once they are lost, they are gone for good.
The solution to these evaporating terpenes can be found in the form of Boveda Sachets. The saltwater solution in Boveda creates a shield around the cannabis trichomes, locking in the terpenes.
The semi-permable membrane in Boveda release pure water molecules that build a monolayer around the trichomes. It also brings the relative humidity (RH) to a safe level, protecting against excessive humidity that can lead to dangerous mould and over drying which can impact quality, potency and effects.
To use a Boveda sachet, remove the plastic wrapper from the outside of the pack and place the sachet directly into your airtight jar or container alongside the flower.
]]>It is measured by the percentage that’s absorbed in the body compared to the product dose. For example, if 100 mg of a drug is taken orally and 40 mg of this drug is absorbed unchanged, the bioavailability is 0.4 or 40 percent.
In the case of cannabis, the active compounds are cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Depending on how you choose to consume cannabis, you could be absorbing less than 10% of the total cannabinoids that are present in a given dose.
Many things can affect how well your body absorbs cannabis, including your age, general health, certain gastrointestinal disorders, and whether or not the product is taken with food. However the most important factor in determining the bioavailability is the way cannabinoids are delivered into the body. (ie. whether you swallow or inhale it).
Studies have shown the bioavailability of THC through the oral route (ie an oil or edible) is approximately 10-20%, which means that 10-20% of the medicinal cannabis' active ingredient eventually reaches the bloodstream.
In the case of the Storz & Bickel range of approved medical device vaporisers, studies have been conducted to establish the bioavailability of cannabinoids when consumed through them.
These studies showed that the bioavailability of cannabinoids when consumed through the Volcano Medic 2 valve balloon is almost 50%. When consumed via the Volcano Medic 2 Tube Kit, bioavailability is approximately 43%. And the Mighty Medic bioavailability is approximately 32%.
To give you an idea of what these numbers mean in real terms, the table below shows how much of a 100mg dose of a 19% THC strain of dried cannabis flower is consumed into the bloodstream.
VAPORISER | CANNABINOID CONTENT OF DRUG | CANNABINOID CONTENT IN BALLOON / TUBE / AEROSOL | CANNABINOID CONTENT IN BLOODSTREAM AFTER INHALATION |
Volcano Medic 2 - Valve Balloon | THC: approx 19mg | approx 15mg | approx 10mg |
Volcano Medic 2 - Tube Kit | THC: approx 19mg | approx 12mg | approx 8.25mg |
Mighty Medic | THC: approx 19mg | approx 9.5mg | approx 6mg |
And importantly, the higher the bioavailability, the lower quantity you need to dose to experience the effects. And with the relatively high price of medicinal cannabis products in New Zealand, bioavailability efficiency is key to getting the most out of your medicines.
]]>The route of administration is via vaporisation and inhalation.
In New Zealand, only cannabis vaporisers that have been approved and certified as a medical device are permitted to be sold and possessed. The Storz & Bickel-manufactured vaporisers sold by MediVape are the only two medical grade vaporisers for dry herb medical cannabis approved for use in New Zealand.
A medical grade cannabis vaporiser has an element inside which heats up to vaporise the milled medical cannabis flower in the chamber, sending it to the mouthpiece to be inhaled. It is used for administering medical cannabis via inhalation without producing harmful smoke.
To be sold legally in New Zealand, medicinal cannabis vaporisers must be registered medical devices. To meet this medical device standard, vaporisers must meet high manufacturing and design quality standards, and the manufacturing process is audited by health authorities. Buying an approved medical vaporiser will give you peace of mind that your device is safe.
]]>To clean your device you will need Isopropyl alcohol cotton swabs, soap, warm water, two glass jars or bowls, and the included brush.
The tools required to take all of the removable parts off are included with your Mighty Medic dry herb vaporiser.
First you will need to remove the cooling unit which is on the top of the vaporiser. This is done by unscrewing it until it loosens. Remove the mouthpiece next by rotating it from side to side. The mouthpiece will become loose and you can then pop it off and remove the blue seal ring which is around it.
You then unlock the Cap Lock and remove it. This can be done by pushing it to one side and pulling up on the other side. When the top of the cooling unit is separated from the base, 2 Blue Seal Rings will be exposed. Use the Filling Chamber tool to remove the rings and pop out the chamber Screen.
You will also need to remove the lower screen within the Filling Chamber and you can again use the Filling Chamber tool to do this. Poke down on the screen and create dents until it pops from the sides of the chamber and then remove it.
Soak the removable parts in Isopropyl alcohol. The only part that you do not soak is the Cap Lock (the part with the Mighty logo on it) and the Seal Rings. The other parts will need to be soaked for up to 30 minutes to remove dry herb debris. Soaking the parts for longer could cause discolouration or cause them to become brittle.
While the parts of soaking, use a cotton bud which has been soaked in Isopropyl alcohol to clean the Filling Chamber. Do not over-soak the cotton bud as you do not want the liquid to drip into the device and damage any of the heating elements. It is a good idea to clean the chamber by holding the Mighty Medic upside down. This way you avoid any excess alcohol dripping into the device and potentially damaging it.
Place a new screen into the Filling Chamber. To secure it, press down with the filling tool. Remove the other parts from the Isopropyl alcohol soak and rinse them with warm water. Dry them thoroughly before reassembling your device in reverse order.
Before you use your clean Mighty Medic again, make sure you get rid of any excess alcohol remaining in the vape and on the parts by running a few burn off cycles. Set the Mighty Medic to max temperature and let it run through a couple of max heating cycles until you do not smell any more alcohol. After this your Mighty Medic is clean and ready to go!
Further detail on cleaning your Mighty Medic medicinal cannabis vaporiser can be found in the following video.
Remove any marks and smudges from the base station with a dry or damp cloth, and avoid using liquid or abrasive cleaners.
Next, check the Air Filter. This can be found on the bottom of the base station. If it is looking dirty, or you notice airflow issues then it might be time to replace it.
You should also flip the base station over every now and then to shake out any bits of dry herb that may have fallen down inside.
Cleanliness of the Filling Chamber is key to the performance of the Volcano Medic 2 so should be well maintained.
Start by twisting it apart, so you’re left with the Filling Chamber and Cap Housing. Push the end of the brush down into the Cap Housing to pop out the screen. Remove the Silicone O-ring from the Cap Cylinder and set them aside.
Push the metal Cap Cylinder down through the Cap Housing. Push the Screen up and out of the Filling Chamber’s bottom half. Push the Filling Chamber Cylinder up and out the same way.
Set aside the silicone rings and any plastic parts, and soak them in warm, soapy water. The remaining pieces of the filling chamber can go straight into the Isopropyl alcohol for up to 30 minutes. Afterwards, make sure to rinse them well in warm water, and let them dry before use.
First, slide the Cap Cylinder into the Cap Housing and let it lock in place, then slide the Silicon O-ring back over the Cap Cylinder up to the Cap Housing.
Press the upper Screen into the Cap Cylinder from below and let it lock in place in the notch provided for this purpose. The upper Screen has to be placed carefully into the intended notch. If this is not observed, particles of herbs can get into the Valve Balloon or the Tube and be inhaled.
Push the Filling Chamber Cylinder from above into the Filling Chamber Housing and allow it to lock in place. Insert the Screen or the Drip Pad into the Filling Chamber from above. Screw the Filling Chamber Cap cap onto the Filling Chamber clockwise.
The Herb Mill and Magazine must not be placed in Isopropyl alcohol. Clean these parts with warm rinsing water. In addition, using Dosing Capsules can avoid the build-up of coarse dirt, and these can be prepared and stored in their Magazine.
Do not immerse any plastic components in alcohol for longer than half an hour. Prolonged contact with Isopropyl alcohol can lead to color changes or embrittlement of the plastic parts.
]]>Terpenes are tiny organic molecules found in every strain of cannabis. They are responsible for the flavours and aromas you experience when vaporising cannabis flower.
Each strain has a different combination of terpenes, and no two strains are alike, kind of like snowflakes or fingerprints. Terpenes are also found in lots of other plants, not just the cannabis plant.
Administration of medicinal cannabis by vaporisation is an excellent way to retain the flavours of the terpenes, and products such as Boveda Terpene Shields help to protect and retain the terpene profile of the cannabis flower.
Below are just a few of the most common terpenes found in cannabis plants and some fun facts about them.
Beta-caryophyllene
[bey-tuh-carry-o-fy-lean]
Also found in: clove, rosemary, hops, black pepper, oregano
Fun fact: the only terpene that binds to cannabinoid receptors
Limonene
[lim-uh-neen]
Also found in: peels of citrus fruits, pepper, cloves, hops, basil, oregano
Fun fact: is used as a food additive, as well as in cleaning agents
beta-Pinene
[bey-tuh-pahy-neen]
Also found in: pine trees, spruce trees, black pepper
Fun fact: found together in plants with alpha-pinene, just in smaller amounts
Terpinolene
[tur-pine-o-lean]
Also found in: allspice, nutmeg, tea tree, apples, cumin, juniper
Fun fact: referred to as a “lurker” terpene because it appears in many strains in small amounts
Humulene
[hu-mu-lean]
Also found in: basil, safe, clove, hope
Fun fact: partially responsible for giving cannabis its distinct spicy, herbaceous, and subtly floral bouquet of aromas
Myrcene
[mer-seen]
Also found in mangoes, bay leaves, hops, lemongrass, wild thyme
Fun fact: found in significant quantities in mangoes
Alpha-pinene
[al-fuh-pahy-neen]
Also found in coniferous trees, rosemary, basil, parsley, dill
Fun fact: what makes pine trees smell like pine
Linalool
[lin-uh-lool]
Also found in: lavender, mint, cinnamon, coriander
Fun fact: found in over 200 essential oils
If you have ever been confused about the terms Indica and Sativa you’re not alone.
Over the years these definitions have caused confusion for many people including cannabis experts. In 1753 Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus believed there was only one species of cannabis plant, the name he gave it was Cannabis Sativa. A few decades later a French naturalist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck discovered a different sub-species, that he referred to as Cannabis Indica, but what is the actual difference?
In botanical terms the term Indica refers to a plant originating from India whereas Sativa simply means cultivated. Some people use the term Indica to describe effects that are more sedating while Sativa is often used to describe effects that are more energising, however, there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that either species results in specific effects.
Recent analyses of cannabis varieties have found that, although the genetic makeup of varieties referred to as ‘Indica’ or ‘ Sativa’ was moderately correlated to their reported ancestry, most cannabis varieties today are hybrids, created by crossbreeding of two varieties that may be Indica or Sativa dominant.
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