Cannabis industry innovation is happening at a breakneck pace. Whether it’s product modalities or tools for getting high, there’s always something new. The latest device to hit the GreenState desks is The Beam, a handheld vaporizer that heats weed extracts using laser technology (flower coming soon). Produced in Petaluma, Calif. by the brand Lumenary, The Beam was created as a way to enjoy cannabis in a clean, pure, and, let’s admit it, fun way.
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The GreenState team was delighted by the Hitoki Trident, a laser bong for flower, and the arrival of The Beam had us equally excited. We had a chance to test-drive the new device, finding it to be an intriguing and sleek method of consumption. While there were a few kinks during our initial run (likely due to an overwhelming amount of information we didn’t quite absorb), we were pleased with the piece overall.
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The biggest appeal? The potential to avoid possible heavy metal exposure and reduce harmful e-waste. Plus, lasers are just so cool.
Firing up The Beam
The Beam uses a blue light laser to heat cannabis, a concept the inventor first imagined after disassembling an old-school laserdisc player. Seeking a clean and efficient way to enjoy cannabis concentrates, the team went through countless rounds of R&D before they finalized The Beam’s modular design.
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Using the piece is fairly simple: remove the bottom panel from the device to reveal a chamber. Inside the chamber fits one of two items: an extract core for various types of waxes and rosins or an oil core/pod for more viscous concentrates (similar to those found in 510 carts).
The extract core is housed in a silicone tube, where you can store your material for easy access. Once you lift the top of the core off its tube, place a rice grain-sized dab in the middle opening of the extract core. A little black speck inside is where the laser hits. Make sure to avoid touching this component, as it could lead to device malfunction. Re-assemble the tube and device, and it’s ready to fire.
There are three different heat settings on The Beam, all under 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You turn the device on by clicking three times. Turn the device off and then hold down the power button until the button lights. At this point, it will slowly go through each color; release pressure on the button at the right temperature for you. To adjust, the device must be off. There are vibrations for each color/temp: Green/1, Blue/2, White/3.
Once the temperature is where you want it, turn the device on by clicking the button three times. At this point, it’s ready to go—no warm-up time is required.
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As soon as you’re ready to take a rip, touch the button to activate the laser. Make sure to inhale while it fires. The blue light laser warms the extract, creating smooth vapor. A small viewing window on the device reveals the magic. The first hit may be a bit small on the vapor production, so give it a few pulls if you want bigger clouds. Using a heated dab tool like a Hot Knife also seemed to improve performance.
In terms of flavor, The Beam offers a pleasant taste. This is likely thanks to the fact that the device preserves terpenes, unlike other modes of consumption, like lighting a joint or bong, which burns up the volatile compounds.
Innovative oil pod is The Beam’s stand out component
Extracts provided a nice experience but The Beam really shines when it comes to oil. The component is similar to the extract core, except you actually vaporize the oil in the little housing tube. The oil core can be filled at home, or you can opt for a branded pod from partner manufacturers.
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The oil core seemingly mimics a 510 wick system, with a small thread going down into the pod to suck up vapor. Unlike 510s, The Beam is designed to get every last drop of oil from the pod, which can then be reused or recycled.
The oil pod seemed to rip a lot harder than the extract pod. However, I struggled to change the temperature, so that could have been user error. The GreenState team enjoyed the potential to reduce waste, a serious issue in the cannabis community. The fact that you don’t need to worry about potential health issues from heated metals is also a plus.
The Beam review final thoughts: blasting off
Overall, The Beam is a pretty slick device. While setup takes some hands-on learning (even after watching the how-to videos), the instruction guide is pretty thorough. Once we got The Beam firing, it was smooth sailing.
At $199 for the Founder’s Edition of the unit, The Beam’s price tag is comparable with other high-tech vaporizer options. The appeal of a clean, pure experience definitely sets the piece apart. Whether you want to fill your own pod or dab some shatter, The Beam has you covered. We’re also excited to see the debut of a flower attachment, which, according to the Lumenary website, is coming soon.
The cannabis space is evolving fast, and devices like The Beam are a great example of R&D done right. The designers saw potential problems in the market with conventional vaping and took action. We only hope that more companies do the same in order to create a safe and sustainable weed world.
