THE RISE OF THE DAB PEN

Before the early 2000s, if you wanted to get high, you rolled a blunt, packed a pipe, or hit a bong. That was the norm. Then, in 2007, vape pens slipped into the U.S. market. Dab pens followed closely, and together, they’ve sparked a quiet revolution in how people consume cannabis. That revolution is still going strong!

Unlike joints and blunts that burn cannabis flower, dab pens vaporize concentrated extracts. A battery heats a coil, which warms the concentrate just enough to release vapor loaded with cannabinoids and terpenes. No flame, smoke, or other byproducts of combustion. Just clean vapor that’s less harsh on the throat and hits fast with potent effects.

While plenty of people still cling to their pre-rolls and bong rips, their numbers are shrinking, as the use of vaporizers has soared since 2017, especially among young adults. 

What’s fueling the shift?

WHY DAB PENS ARE TAKING OVER

The novelty of dab pens may be wearing off, but enthusiasm for them remains strong. Here are some of the reasons why:

• VARIETY

Manufacturers have flooded the market with dab pens in every shape, flavor, and format. Some are disposable and some others are rechargeable. Some work with wax or live resin, while others come pre-filled with distillate that tastes like desserts. This versatility gives users options, and options give products staying power.

• DISCREETNESS

Let’s face it, most cannabis smoke stinks. Vapor from a dab pen does not. This less pungent vapor doesn’t stick to your clothes and dissipates in the air faster. This makes dab pens ideal for anyone who wants to get high without anyone being the wiser. Plus, most pens are pocket-sized. You could take a hit in a crowd without announcing what you’re doing or stinking up the space and drawing hateful glances.

• CONVENIENCE

Before smoking a blunt, you have to grind your flower, roll it, get an ashtray, find your lighter, and then smoke. Even if you’re smoking pre-rolls, it’s still not as convenient as a dab pen. With a pen, you simply pull it out of your pocket, press a button (or just inhale), and let the cannabinoids and terpenes work their magic – No mess, no prep, no lighters, and no lingering smoke.

• COOL FACTOR

Dab pens are currently in vogue, with sleek, new designs emerging on the market regularly. Individuals, especially young adults, who want to stay trendy, go for the latest and most eye-catching dab devices. Whether it’s a glowing tip, a limited-edition collab, or a pen that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, dabbers who keep up with the latest gear often become the center of attention in their circles.

• POTENCY

Dab pens don’t mess around. Concentrates can contain 80% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or even more. One puff from a pen often hits harder than three from the average joint. And because vapor delivers cannabinoids more efficiently than smoke, the effects come on faster. This power appeals to both recreational users and medical patients seeking quick pain relief.

• TECH-SAVVY APPEAL

Are you a fan of gadgets? If so, there are dab pens that can thrill your inner geek. Advanced dab pens come with temperature control for adjusting the heat to customize your high. Some also feature app connectivity for monitoring battery life, tracking usage, and tailoring dab sessions directly from your smartphone. With a few taps, you can customize your high like a pro.

• THE PERCEPTION OF SAFETY

One of the cannabis pen’s biggest selling points is its perceived safety compared to smoking. With vaping, there’s no combustion, meaning users avoid inhaling harmful byproducts like tar, carbon monoxide, and carcinogens. This cleaner delivery method makes vaporizers especially appealing to health-conscious cannabis users, particularly among millennials and Gen Z.

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DAB PENS VS. TRADITIONAL DAB RIGS

A traditional dab rig looks like a complicated bong and is typically about the size of a medium-sized water bottle. That’s not going to fit into your pocket like a dab pen. Also, dab rigs require a lighter or torch to heat the nail, making for a more complex and less discreet setup.

In contrast, dab pens are far simpler, offering a compact, all-in-one tool for a convenient, mobile, and potent cannabis experience. Their hassle-free, portable, and stylish design is just one of the reasons more people are choosing dab pens over traditional rigs.

READ: What Is a Dab Pen and How Do You Use It?

ARE DAB PENS REALLY BETTER THAN SMOKING?

If convenience and potency are your measuring sticks, then yes, dab pens blow smoking out of the water. The average, modern dab pen is so portable that it takes up less space in your pocket than your phone or car keys. You also don’t need to worry about making a mess with ash, lingering smoke stench, or carrying extra accessories just to light up.

Then, there’s the potency. In one study, half of the participants smoked cannabis flower containing 16% to 24% THC, while the other half dabbed concentrates like wax containing 70% to 90% THC. The THC levels in the blood of dabbers were more than twice as high as those of smokers.

But what about safety? Contrary to what many assume, dab pens are not a risk-free alternative to smoking. According to one study, compared to cannabis smokers, vaporizer users are 40% less likely to report respiratory effects like cough, phlegm, and chest tightness, not 0% likely. This means that while using a dab pen or other vaping devices isn’t as harmful as smoking, it still poses respiratory health risks.

Findings by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also show that 73% of E-cigarette or Vaping product Use-associated Lung Injury (EVALI) cases involved people who occasionally vaped THC products. About 33% of EVALI patients reported using only THC vape products before their illness. Most EVALI cases are due to the presence of additives like vitamin E acetate in vaping products.

DAB PENS FUELING CANNABIS CLASSISM AND ELITISM

As dab pens continue to grow in popularity, they’re becoming the primary “socially acceptable” way to puff on cannabis in public. This has led to traditional cannabis smokers or individuals who smell like cannabis experiencing more prejudice than dab pen users. Why? Probably because cannabis still carries some stigma and dredges up images of the classic incoherent, red-eyed “stoner”.

What’s even more concerning is the rising trend of snobbery within the cannabis community itself. Dabbers are turning up their noses at smokers or budget cannabis shoppers.

The experience of Redditor, Pacertown, encapsulates this issue best: “There’s a lot more to vape snobbery than just money. I once bought Juul pods at a local shop and the kid behind the counter was seriously contemptuous, said I should get a “real vape”. I thought about taking out the mech in my bag but it just wasn’t worth the trouble.”

Why the prejudice? Let’s blame it on the all-too-human urge to feel superior. It’s the same instinct that drives iPhone users to scoff at Android owners or makes PC gamers look down on console players. Within the cannabis world, premium flower buyers often sneer at shake weed shoppers, as if paying more somehow grants them royal status.

Dab pen-carrying corporate bros might feel superior because their gear looks futuristic and costs more, but at the end of it all, aren’t we all canna-lovers looking to experience the blessings of cannabinoids? A dab pen might look cooler, smoke cleaner, and hit stronger, but a blunt is no slouch either. From this viewpoint, there’s no reason to look down on others because they prefer a classic blunt to canna-tech.

Some people want the bare bones simplicity of a blunt and enjoy the camaraderie of sorting, grinding, rolling, and sharing a blunt with friends — for others, it’s simply what they can afford. So respect your fellow cannabis users who prefer to smoke. Remember, we all love the same thing — we just have slight differences in how we love and experience it.