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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
06:09
Development of a Preclinical Inhalation Model to Test Vaporized Cannabis Distillates
Published on: May 30, 2025
Vaporization as a smokeless cannabis delivery system: a pilot study
D I Abrams1, H P Vizoso, S B Shade
1Community Consortium, Positive Health Program, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California, USA. dabrams@php.ucsf.edu
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|April 13, 2007
Summary
Vaporizing cannabis with the Volcano device offers a safe and effective way to inhale cannabinoids, similar to smoking but with reduced carbon monoxide. This smokeless method is suitable for future clinical trials of cannabis therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Cannabis Science
Background:
- Combustion of cannabis presents an undesirable delivery system for potential therapeutic cannabinoids.
- Inhalation is a common route for cannabis administration, but smoke contains harmful byproducts.
- Alternative delivery systems are needed to mitigate risks associated with cannabis smoke inhalation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the Volcano((R)) device as an alternative, smokeless delivery system for inhaled Cannabis sativa.
- To compare the delivery of cannabinoids via vaporization versus traditional smoking.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of cannabis vaporization.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen healthy inpatient subjects participated in a randomized study over 6 days.
- Participants received either vaporization or smoking of cannabis with varying strengths of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- Outcome measures included plasma THC concentrations, expired carbon monoxide (CO) levels, and physiological/neuropsychological effects.
Main Results:
- Peak plasma concentrations and 6-hour area under the curve for THC were comparable between vaporization and smoking.
- Vaporization resulted in significantly reduced expired carbon monoxide (CO) levels compared to smoking.
- No adverse events were reported during the study.
Conclusions:
- Vaporization using the Volcano device is a safe and effective method for delivering THC from Cannabis sativa.
- This smokeless delivery system reduces exposure to harmful combustion byproducts like CO.
- Cannabis vaporization is a viable option for future clinical trials investigating the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.
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