E-liquid is the liquid that is converted into an aerosol by an e-cigarette or vaping, product. It is typically a mixture of water, food-grade flavoring, a choice of nicotine levels, cannabis (THC, CBD), propylene glycol (PG), or vegetable glycerin (VG).
PG and VG are humectants used in e-liquid to produce aerosols that simulate combustible tobacco cigarette smoke.
The ratio of PG and VG in the e-liquid can change based on whether flavor (higher levels of PG) or plume (higher levels of VG) is desired.
Marijuana
Also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa.
THC is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
THC and terpenes (aromatic oils) are extracted from marijuana as THC concentrates, hash oil, and wax. These derived products, crumble, shatter, wax, and dry sift/kief, have a high dosage of THC.
Marijuana contains much more THC than hemp, while hemp has more cannabidiol (CBD).
Dabbing
Dabbing or dibbing is a process that allows the user to inhale a high concentration of THC by aerosolizing a concentrate that has been placed on a hot surface (the “nail”).
Dabbing is also a term used when using THC concentrates and wax in a dab pen or a vaporizer.
CBD
CBD stands for cannabidiol and it is derived from cannabis, marijuana, and hemp.
CBD is the main ingredient in hemp and the second main ingredient in marijuana after THC.
CBD is not a psychoactive substance.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthetic cannabinoids are a class of synthetic molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body (the same receptors to which THC and CBD attach).
They are “designer drugs” that are usually smoked and have been marketed as herbal incense, or “herbal smoking blends”.
They are sold under common names like K2, Spice, Black Mamba, Kronic, and Synthetic Marijuana.
Hacking or Modifying Devices or Liquid Cartridges
“Hacking” may include any post-market modifications to the device that are beyond the intended use by the manufacturer.
For example, users may “hack” closed systems (such as pod/cartridge devices) to refill these cartridges with other substances.
This is different than “mod” devices, which are intended to be customized by the user.
Dripping
Users hack the mod system in order to create a bigger hit (amount) of the substance used. This is done by increasing the temperature used to heat the e-liquid. Dripping is when users expose the heating coils to “drip” liquids directly on the heating device and get a more flavorful and thicker cloud of aerosol.
Dripping is dangerous because it can expose users to higher levels of the substance (nicotine, cannabis) and to harmful toxins, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which are known carcinogens.