The cannabis vape industry has exploded over the past decade, fueled by consumer demand for convenient, discreet, and flavorful options. But behind every sleek cartridge or high-tech battery is a passionate entrepreneur with a vision. Today, we pull back the curtain on some of the most recognizable vape brands in cannabis, highlighting their origins and featuring insights from the founders who transformed ideas into household names.
PAX: From Tech Startup to Vape Powerhouse
Few brands are as synonymous with cannabis vaping as PAX. Launched in 2007 by James Monsees and Adam Bowen, PAX started as a Stanford design project. The duo wanted to create a vaporizer that was stylish, portable, and easy to use. Speaking about their journey, Monsees noted in a Forbes interview “We saw a gap in the market for a device that combined high-end design with intuitive function. We wanted to destigmatize cannabis use by elevating the experience.”
The PAX team focused on user-centric innovation, developing features like precise temperature control and Bluetooth connectivity. Over time, the brand expanded beyond dry herb to oil cartridges with the PAX Era line, cementing its reputation as a leader in both design and performance.
Stiiizy: A Lifestyle Approach to Cannabis Vapes
When James Kim founded Stiiizy in 2017, he wasn’t just launching another vape brand—he was creating a lifestyle. Kim, a veteran of California’s early medical cannabis scene, wanted products that were as culturally relevant as they were functional. “We took inspiration from streetwear, art, and music,” Kim told Leafly. “Our goal was to build a brand that reflected modern cannabis culture.”
That vision led to the creation of Stiiizy’s sleek pods and batteries, instantly recognizable for their minimalist design. By coupling unique branding with consistent quality, Stiiizy quickly grew from a local LA favorite to a multi-state operator, often collaborating with artists and musicians to reach new audiences.
Select Oil: Quality-First Mentality
Select Oil began in Portland, Oregon, in 2015 when founder Cameron Forni saw a need for safer, higher-quality vape cartridges. Early in the market, many cartridges leaked or used inferior materials. Forni tackled this by developing a proprietary cartridge with medical-grade materials, helping set a new standard in vape safety and reliability.
“Consistency and safety were the two pillars we built Select on,” Forni shared with Business Insider. “We wanted consumers to feel confident that every Select product was made with care.” Select’s emphasis on rigorous testing and transparency paid off: the brand became Oregon’s top-selling vape before expanding nationally under the Curaleaf umbrella.
Raw Garden: From Farm to Vape
Raw Garden stands apart by focusing on live resin—a concentrate made from freshly frozen cannabis, preserving the plant’s full terpene profile. Co-founder Thomas Martin started the brand with a mission to bring farm-direct, single-source extracts to vapes at accessible prices.
In a High Times interview, Martin explained, “We wanted to give people a true-to-plant experience, something that tasted and felt like the flower it came from.” Raw Garden’s vertically integrated approach—growing their own cannabis and processing it into live resin—has helped them maintain quality control and keep prices reasonable, earning a loyal following in California.
Common Threads: Passion and Purpose
Though their paths and products vary, these founders share a commitment to innovation, quality, and elevating the cannabis experience. Their stories show how passion, creativity, and attention to detail can transform a startup idea into a brand beloved by millions.
As the vape market continues to evolve, these pioneers’ focus on safety, design, and authentic cannabis experiences will remain a driving force in shaping what consumers expect—and deserve—from their vaping products.