Whether you want to rip terpenes or relax with some CBD, vape pens are a popular method of consuming cannabis that has won the approval of connoisseurs and casual users alike. With such a wide variety of cannabis oils, cartridges and pens to choose from, the possibilities and combinations can be almost endless.
Thinking of diving into the world of vape carts for the first time or looking to up your vaping game? Here’s our guide to the wonderful world of cannabis vape cartridges.
What is a vape cartridge?
When it comes to vaping, the most important part of the pen other than the battery is the cartridge itself. A vape cartridge or “cart” is a pre-filled glass cartridge containing a cannabis-infused oil or other concentrate. Usually sold in half-gram or gram increments, carts come in a variety of well-known varieties and are generally loved for their potency and tasty flavor.
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What is a cannabis vaporizer cartridge?
Types of vape cartridge delivery systems
A vape pen usually contains a battery that works together with a cartridge. The battery heats an atomizer in the cartridge which in turn heats and activates the different compounds in the cannabis oil.
While all vaporizers essentially accomplish the same goal, there are key differences between the products that require different hardware and maintenance.
510 threads
Named for the threading on the bottom of the cartridge, they are the most common and universal style. As a result, they can be found at almost any store and are easily maintained and replaced if they break. Most are disposable, but they also have the advantage of being refillable and refillable, making them an ideal choice for the daily smoker. When you hear the term “vape pen,” you’re usually referring to this style of vaporizer, as it looks like, well, a pen.
Disposable pens
Disposable pens are incredibly popular and convenient as a result of their all-in-one construction that contains the battery, cartridge, and nib in one single-use device. With no need to load or refill, disposable carts are useful for trying new strains and enjoying the benefits of a vape with minimal upkeep and maintenance. Even better, once the device is empty, it can be easily recycled.
Device specific (proprietary cards)
Several brands, such as PAX for example, have cartridges that are only compatible with their batteries and are usually available from licensed retailers. Specialized devices often allow greater temperature control and other features, but a fairly significant drawback is that these specific carts are not always available in all dispensaries.
Common concentrates found in cartridges
Concentrates have enjoyed a rapidly growing popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the innovations of extractors who have developed a wide range of different products: budder, shatter, wax, sauce, diamonds, live resin and live rosin, among others That said, because concentrates vary widely in texture, viscosity, and stability, not all concentrates fit into vape cartridges.
These are some of the concentrates you are most likely to find in a vape cartridge.
to distill
Distilled oils are the result of a complex extraction process that selects the desired cannabinoids. Because of this extraction method, distillations can often produce yields with up to 99% THC or CBD purity. However, due to the precise nature of this process, terpenes and other flavorful compounds are also removed, dramatically affecting flavor. As a result, terpenes are often re-infused to improve flavor and viscosity.
living resin
Live resin is a butane oil (or BHO) commonly found in cartridges because it is known to tickle the taste buds and boast an out-of-this-world flavor profile. Flash frozen to preserve the plant’s freshness, the terpenes and cannabinoids are then extracted in a chemical process that leaves behind an incredibly potent and coveted concentrate. Typically more expensive than other options, live resin carts are considered some of the highest quality options available.
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Leafly’s Guide to Living Resin
living rosin
Live rosin may sound like a misnomer for “live resin,” but they’re actually different concentrates and worth telling them apart. Like live resin, “live” refers to the use of live cannabis plants as the starting material. Unlike living resin, living rosin is made without the use of chemical solvents. Instead, fresh frozen plants are pressed under pressure and heated to extract a concentrated oil. This makes live rosin a solvent-free concentrate often preferred by health-conscious cannabis consumers.
Full spectrum extracts aim to provide the profile of cannabinoids and terpenes typically found in the cannabis cultivar from which it is sourced. Vaporizer cartridges made with full-spectrum extracts will contain THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, and the nearly 500 other bioactive compounds found in the plant. The compounds work together synergistically, producing the ambient effect and a more holistic experience.
CBD oil
While most cartridges contain concentrates with high levels of THC, some growers have started releasing carts with high concentrations of CBD or higher ratios of CBD to THC such as 2:1, 20:1 and beyond to reap the benefits of higher welfare.
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The Complete Guide to CBD (Cannabidiol)
How to choose the right vape cartridge
Choose a vaping device
Before choosing a cartridge, you need to choose a battery system. Control is a factor to consider when purchasing a pen or device. Most pens have the ability to control temperature, but generic batteries only have one temperature setting and advanced devices will offer a variety of settings or the ability to adjust the temperature. Some devices even include companion apps that, among other things, track inhaled dose.
Choose a vaporizer cart
Next, you’ll want to consider what types of carts are compatible with your battery. For example, if you have a 510 battery, you will need to buy 510 cartridges. On the other hand, if you have a specific device, you will need to find a store that sells the specialized carts for that device. If ubiquity and ease of purchase is your main goal with a vape pen, the classic 510 cartridge is usually easy to find.
Depending on the effects you are looking for, different concentrates may work better than others. For example, if you want to harness the full power of the cannabis plant, a full-spectrum extract may be more suitable than a high-THC distillate. If you’re looking to find support for stress and anxiety during the day, a CBD-dominated cartridge might do the trick.
With the wide variety of carts available today, exploring and experimenting with different systems or extracts is easy. You’ll be able to find many different varieties in cartridge form to enjoy the discretion, portability, and ease of use that vape carts offer. Try a few different concentrates or cart styles to see how they work; there is sure to be a vape cartridge that is right for you and your needs.
Lauren Wilson
Lauren Wilson is a best-selling author and freelance writer based in Brooklyn, New York. He has built a career following his cultural curiosities and has spent the past few years advancing the conversation about cannabis through education. Lauren is the author of three scientific books on CBD, including two for “The CBD Solution” series in collaboration with Snoop Dogg’s media outlet MERRY JANE and Chronicle Books.
Find her at: laurenmwilson.com | @laurendoesthis
View Lauren Wilson’s articles
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