For people who use cannabis for medicinal purposes, such as pain, anxiety and sleep control, vaporizing the drug can be a bit of a trial and error process, as you cannot be sure of the exact dose you are getting as you can with a pill or standard edible. Manufacturers of the Mode smart cannabis device say it solves the dosing problem, using a high-resolution pressure sensor to determine how much a user is inhaling and a prediction algorithm that determines how many micromilograms a user is receiving by inhalation based in the cartridge.
The company says it runs hundreds of cannabis cartridges on its testing machines to identify the unique characteristics of each, and the device has an accuracy rate of more than 75 percent, even without telling the app which cartridge you’re using. (It is in the 80% range for known cartridges, says the company.) The mode is compatible with thousands of standard 510 threaded cannabis cartridges and can be blocked manually or remotely with the companion application. The company says the algorithm is still improving and you can download a new version for the device via Bluetooth.
People treat many different medical conditions with cannabis, some using different varieties to treat more than one condition. For example, a user may need a different dose – and probably a different mix – of cannabis to treat anxiety during the day than he would use to sleep at night. That is why being able to adjust the number of milligrams would be useful.
“This is not just another vaporization device that you’re hitting and blowing clouds all day,” said Mode co-founder Izzy Kirsch in a demonstration at Zoom during the Consumer Electronics Show. “You can take a milligram pill, so to speak, and get on with your day.”
So, let’s say you are using cannabis to sleep and you know what dosage you want. Place the cartridge in the Mode device, set it to a dosage between 1 and 5 milligrams and inhale. The device turns off the heater and vibrates, giving tactile feedback when you reach the desired dosage.
Mode co-founder Mark Wagner said during the CES demonstration that the company is software driven, so instead of building a special sensor to measure the dosage, it is working on fine-tuning the algorithm, which was developed in part by a former data science leader in Jawbone. In addition to a pressure sensor, Mode has temperature, movement and orientation sensors that help to create the ideal dose.
The device also has a mobile app that allows users to track their dosage over time, which is useful information if you are testing a new strain or if you decide that your dosage is too strong or too weak. The device bases its measurements on information from the cartridge manufacturer. For people who buy cartridges in a dispensary where the product is a known quantity, the Mode device that depends on the manufacturer’s information seems reasonable. However, it is important to note that the black market and counterfeit cartridges may not provide the same level of accurate information (and can lead to serious illness).
In the relatively new market for medical cannabis, patients can go through many trials and errors to find a strain and cartridge that gives them the amount they need – even batteries used with standard cannabis cartridges can vary greatly in the way they deliver your dosage. Therefore, a device that gives the user more control over how much you are consuming is a welcome addition.
Mode says its device is made from medical-grade materials, including a tear-resistant silicone airway that runs from the bottom of the device to the cartridge, separate from all electronic components except the pressure sensor. It uses high quality stainless steel in the heat shield on the tube and the outer case is made of raw ABS plastic; the company says it is avoiding inks, which can lead to emissions.
The mode uses USB-C charging, with a custom 385mAh battery. It can provide between one and two weeks of battery life for a user who takes 5 to 20 mg a day, “not for someone who is continually destroying cartridges,” notes Kirsch.
The mode is available to order and will sell for $ 100 when it becomes available later this year. The company’s goal in early summer.