Vapouround magazine Vapouround Magazine Issue 26 | Page 102

N F E R F E AT U R E S H CBD Innovation Oliver Mammon urged the industry to innovate with purpose Words: Gordon Stribling C BD is so firmly entrenched within the vaping world that it seems like it’s been around for years. But CBD e-liquids have only really been widely available for about 18 months, if you discount the handful of trailblazers who, dare I say, sowed the seeds. Now, most of the big names have a CBD product of one type or another. The question is: how can companies stay ahead of the pack in this ever-evolving market? Oliver Mammon, chief infusionologist at Taylor Mammon, shared his own experience of pairing traditional vaping with CBD, explaining that he uses CBD to offset the jittery effect he gets from vaping nic salts. However, he noted that there were some key differences between the two industries despite the recent overlap. With traditional vaping the goal is simple – a product that delivers a hit of nicotine that replicates a cigarette. However, a CBD consumer could be using a product for any number of medical reasons. Oliver explained: “They want relief but the process is a lot more complicated and it does require a bit more thought. 96 VM26 “But it’s also really fun because understanding something as complex and versatile as the cannabis plant and its multitude of purposes and abilities, makes you feel like a mad inventor sometimes.” Oliver believes that education is essential to innovation and he cited the example of companies assuming that CBD e-liquids could be used in the same way as nicotine e-liquids. However, as cannabinoids are alkaline and metals are acidic, the CBD is degraded when heated up which can reduce the effi cacy, which is why companies should develop CBD-specifi c devices that use ceramic coils, for example. While vaping is the fastest route of absorption, it is not the appropriate way to target all ailments. For example, vaporised CBD will not relieve muscle pain as it does not target the right receptors. As an advocate for the whole plant, Oliver highlighted the importance of the ‘entourage effect’ where CBD, other cannabinoids and terpenes combine to create a full-spectrum product. “CBD works better when paired with other things which is why the full-spectrum argument is so vital. It combines to give an effect from the product, making something a patient can rely on.