Microplastics have infiltrated almost every aspect of our daily lives, from the food we consume to the water we drink, and surprisingly, even the cannabis products we use. One California-based company, Raw Garden, has turned its attention to addressing this issue, launching a groundbreaking product: the Raw Garden Sprout. This innovative disposable vape promises to deliver a delightful experience while minimizing the risk of microplastic contamination.

The Raw Garden Sprout is impressively compact, measuring just 1.5 inches in width, 2.25 inches in height, and 0.5 inches in depth. Its size makes it incredibly discreetsmall enough to fit in the tiny fifth pocket of your jeans, a feature that will be appreciated by those who value portability in their vaping experience. This device boasts three adjustable power settings: 2 volts, 2.3 volts, and 2.6 volts, and charges conveniently via a USB-C port. Users will find it pre-filled with either Raw Garden's Live Sauce or Refined Live Resin, both of which are known for their purity and potency.

One of the standout features of the Raw Garden Sprout is its ability to produce incredibly smooth hits with remarkable flavor, a feat that is attributed to its use of terpene-safe PA-12 plastic. This material not only enhances the vaping experience but also addresses a significant concern in the industry: the risk of harmful microplastics leaching into cannabis oils.

To provide some context, disposable vapes typically contain concentrated cannabis oil in a chamber made from plastic, commonly PCTG, which has been deemed food-safe. However, during development and testing, Raw Garden and its manufacturing partner, Ispire, observed unexpected cloudiness in the plastic over time. This cloudiness raised alarms about potential degradation and the possibility of plastic particles contaminating the oil, which could ultimately be inhaled by users.

Demonstrating commendable integrity, Raw Garden decided to discard over $1 million worth of product that was already in production. The company then collaborated with Ispire to identify a safer alternative, landing on PA-12a material prized for its durability, heat resistance, and chemical stability. Extensive testing confirmed that PA-12 did not degrade even under extreme conditions, making it a superior choice for vaping devices. In a bid to promote industry-wide safety, Raw Garden opted to share this information publicly rather than patenting their findings.

Operating the Sprout is straightforward: users can power it on with five rapid clicks, which will illuminate the device to indicate the current heat levelblue for low (2.0V), green for medium (2.3V), and red for high (2.6V). Switching between these levels is done with three clicks, while a double-click initiates a preheating feature designed to optimize the first hit. Raw Garden recommends starting at the low setting for the best flavor and smoothest experience, while the high setting is tailored for more seasoned users.

For the purpose of this review, two specific units were tested: an indica Live Sauce known as PB Souffle, boasting a potency of 80.7% and 15.9% terpenes, and a Refined Live Resin hybrid called Strawberry Gas with an impressive 90.7% potency. The latter offered a robust experience that should be approached with caution, as it can catch users off-guard with its intensity. The green power setting provided a blend of flavor and smoothness that made it hard to discern how much was actually being inhaled until the visible cloud was exhaled. In comparison to other disposable vapes, the Sprout stood out for its remarkable smoothness, although the high setting proved a bit harsher than preferred.

The Sprout also incorporates innovative design features aimed at preventing common vaping issues. Its 'anti-clog design' includes a unique Overflow Chamber that addresses the frequent clogging found in other disposable vapes. Unlike traditional models that rely on a wick to draw oil, the Sprout eliminates this post, reducing the likelihood of blockage. The Overflow Chamber captures excess vapor, preventing it from re-entering the main chamber where it could congeal and lead to unpleasant tastes.

Despite its many advantages, the Sprout is not without drawbacks. While Raw Gardens commitment to preventing microplastic contamination is commendable, its important to recognize that disposable devices, in general, contribute to environmental waste. Once depleted, the entire unitincluding the lithium batterymust be discarded, raising concerns about its impact on landfills. A refillable cartridge option would be a welcome addition, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of the Sprout without contributing to waste.

Additionally, the absence of labels on the device itself may create confusion for users with multiple strains, as the uniform appearance makes it challenging to distinguish between them. Furthermore, the glowing LED indicator, while useful for confirming activation, could pose a challenge for discreet usage in low-light settings like concerts.

Currently, the Raw Garden Sprout is exclusively available in California due to the states cannabis regulations, much to the disappointment of potential users elsewhere. However, given the product's innovative design and commitment to quality, it sets a high standard for disposable vapes in the market.

In conclusion, the Raw Garden Sprout represents a significant advancement in the disposable vape segment. It stands out as the most effective and satisfying disposable device I have encountered, and given Raw Garden's established reputation for purity and qualitybeing a Clean Green Certified operationit is no wonder they have produced such a remarkable product. As they continue to explore safer, more sustainable options in the cannabis industry, the Sprout could very well become the gold standard for disposable vapes.