MAVPR's Guide to Buying a Vape Pen

By Melissa A Vitale 

​What has hence been called Vape-Gate by industry professionals alike, the recent news stories, hospital cases and CDC warnings drew attention to the same knowledge vape companies have been warning about for years: without regulation, there will be bad players on the market selling garbage that can harm consumers. 

Vaping is a discrete way to enjoy cannabis and CBD and has made the plant accessible to those who cannot consume in other ways. Thanks to bad players in the market, consumers are afraid to consume vape products. The recent vaping crisis has not only put consumers off vaping, it's also created mistrust of brands who create vaping products.  

Just because there are a few tarnished products floating around on the market, doesn’t mean consumers have to give up their CBD or Cannabis vape pen for good.

Universally, vaping is still a cleaner form of consumption than natural combustion, but without regulation, consumers have to pay extra attention to what they’re buying. 

What you should be looking for when buying a vape pen: 

• Full Spectrum CBD: Full Spectrum CBD has plant terpene and other flavonoids that work better together 
• Free of Additives: Safe CBD vape formulations contain only CBD & plant terpenes. Avoid thinners like PEG, PG, MCT, VG
• Third Party Tested: There are currently no regulation for vape pens; third party tests ensure consumer transparency on ingredients included in every product; many quality brands include the QR code to the lab tests on the packaging. This step costs brands more but without regulation in the industry, it’s the only way to put “proof in the pudding” when it comes to claims on the package. Lab tests are incredibly easy to forge though, so do a little more digging to make sure the lab exists and is recognized in the market (or find an article that has done this for you).
• Clear Amber / Yellow Color: Plant-based vape formulas can be incredibly unstable in harsh shipping conditions; avoid multi-colored, dark brown or red, or cloudy formulations

 
Finally, ask questions when you're buying a vape pen. If the person who you're buying from cannot answer your questions, you should not be buying from them. 

MAVPR Recommended Brands:
Working with so may brands, it's no surprise that I'm often asked for my recommendation. With my position as a publicist and knowledge of the industry, it's easy for me to discern if a brand is quality or marketing gimmicks 
CBD Vapes: TribeTokes, Her Highness 
Cannabis Vapes: Binske Live Resin Cartridges, Absolute Xtracts
While I do partner or represent some of the brands above, I only recommend brands whose brand mission, consumer transparency and attention to quality is one that I would trust for myself and my family. I only work with brands I am proud to represent. 

Updated July 6, 2020

​For CBD & Cannabis brands looking to explore cost effective public relations packages, learn more about MAVPR via: melissaavitale.com/services.html