How to Use a Tower Vaporizer
Medical marijuana is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, most notably glaucoma, muscle spasms associated with muscular dystrophy and nausea caused by chemotherapy. Though its use remains controversial, several states allow the use of medical marijuana if the patient has a doctor's prescription. Traditionally, marijuana has been smoked; however, the high temperatures related with smoking can scar airways and the smoke carries tars and carcinogens into the lungs. Vaporizing the medication reduces the risk of harmful side effects associated with the use of medical marijuana.
Instructions
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Plug the vaporizer into an electrical outlet and turn it on. (The location of the power button will vary according to the model of your vaporizer.) Remove the "bowl" part of the tower (at the top of the unit, above the heating element and below the "whip," the adapter attaching the tubing to the tower).
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Set the temperature control. Some models allow the user to set a specific temperature (200 degrees Celsius---or 400 degrees Fahrenheit---is recommended); others have numbered dials with settings between five and 10, and yet others have dials with no gradients. Experiment with settings until you find one that delivers a fine vapor that is not too hot and does not scorch the medication during use. Start by setting a medium temperature and adjust it from there.
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Check the bottom of the bowl and the end of the whip that attaches to the top of the bowl: make certain that screens are in place in both locations.
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Add about ½ g of medication to the bowl and insert the bowl into the top of the tower.
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Attach the whip to the top of the bowl.
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Inhale slowly and deeply from the mouthpiece attached to the whip. A faint vapor may be visible in the tubing, though at lower temperatures, at which the volatile oils of the medication boil without scorching, there may be no visible vapor. Try a variety of heat settings until the medication vaporizes efficiently without burning. Once the vapor is no longer detectable through the tubing, the medication is used up: turn off the unit, remove the bowl once it has cooled and clean out the medication residue. Refill the bowl following the same procedure.
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Tips & Warnings
For best results, either cut up or grind the medication prior to use. Do not overfill the bowl: some tower vaporizers use convection currents to vaporize the medication, and overfilling interferes with the flow of air.
The use, sale or distribution of medical marijuana without a prescription held by the user and/or the recipient is a felony in most states. Check the laws of your state prior to beginning a medical marijuana program.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit marihuana image by Pablo GarcÃa Izquierdo from Fotolia.com
