Kanavape, the CBD e-cigarette

Cocorico! Kanavape is an e-cigarette that lets you vape CBD designed by two Frenchmen, Sébastien Béguerie and Antonin Cohen. Its launch had been announced in late 2014 but was then postponed amid controversy: «Should a hemp-based e-cigarette be allowed?» The fact is that the e-liquid in the Kanavape contains only cannabidiol and trace amounts of THC—well below legal limits—and certainly not enough to make you see ducks. Anyway.

Kanavape has always been available online, and the Since CBD is legal, we decided to give it a try.

The Kanavape Look

The Kanavape is, in fact, an ultra-portable vaporizer. It’s very slim and charges via its USB port. You can even play with it like a pen. That doesn’t mean it isn’t sturdy, though—it’s even survived a few botched «spins.» The mouthpiece is made of plastic, while the cartridge is made of glass and the body is made of metal.

Kanavape Features and How to Use It

The Kanavape has only one function: to vape CBD. It usually comes with a 1 mL cartridge filled with plain e-liquid or mint-flavored e-liquid, and a USB charger.

It also charges quickly (2–3 hours) and has a battery life of several days—almost an entire cartridge. Once charged, the Kanavape is ready to use; there’s no need to wait for it to heat up like you would with a herbal vaporizer. The vapor is cool and smooth, and it preserves the e-liquid’s flavors very well. People around you won’t know you’re vaping hemp—there’s no «weird» smell, if that’s a concern for you.

Satijah e-liquids are available in several flavors: plain, mint, strawberry, lemon, and tropical. During our month-long test, we preferred the mint flavor, although we also really liked the tropical one.

To fill the cartridge, simply remove the mouthpiece, pop off the cap (see video above), insert the refill, and let the liquid flow in.

Update from 07/04/16: It appears that the refilling method mentioned above and shown in the video actually goes beyond the Kanavape’s intended use. Refilling this way may cause leaks. To refill, you need to purchase a full cartridge. Satijah e-liquids, on the other hand, are intended for people who use a standard e-cigarette and wish to replace their nicotine-containing e-liquid with Satijah.

Satijah's CBD concentrations are also set by default at 0.5% (50 mg per 10 mL of e-liquid), which is 10 times lower than Kanavape's e-liquid. New versions have just been released with concentrations of 25 mg, 50 mg, 200 mg, or 500 mg per 10-mL bottle.

Effects of Kanavape

What are the effects of Kanavape? Don't expect to feel the effects of THC—there aren't any. However, you may feel relaxed and calm, with a slight hunger about an hour later.

So why smoke Kanavape? For the pleasure of smoking. No nicotine, no THC—just CBD. For the taste, too—the flavors are pleasant and far superior to «traditional» e-liquids. And for the effects of CBD. Even if you «don’t feel anything» when you inhale, CBD has various «anti» properties (anti-anxiety, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.). It’s a great way to relax while staying healthy! We should note that we’re not doctors, but as of now, no side effects have been found in studies on CBD.

Here’s an example of how it can be used in everyday life: to relieve a migraine (with or without a hangover) or to ease menstrual cramps. Tested and approved.

Disclaimer: Kanavape should not be considered a medication or a tool for preventing, treating, or alleviating symptoms or illnesses. That’s just as well—cannabis isn’t either 😉

Kanavape Debrief

We like:

• The convenience of the e-cigarette. Lightweight and compact, it’s perfect for carrying with you wherever you go.
• The price. The starter pack costs €50 and includes a full cartridge. Each 10 mL refill (equivalent to 10 cartridges) is priced at €15.

What we like less:

• the plastic mouthpiece. When you're used to vaping with metal or glass, going back to plastic feels a bit off.
• the fact that it's impossible to get e-liquids with higher nicotine concentrations—at least at Kanavape.

Verdict:

It’s hard to rate a product that has no direct competitors. Clearly, Kanavape has entered a promising market with a good product and a vision we appreciate (organic, open-air farming, control over the entire production process from plant to e-liquid, etc.). The vaping experience is very pleasant, and their product works well. We’ll wait to test one of their competitors before giving them a rating, though 😉