What is a vaper cannabis cartridge?

When it comes to ease of use, portability and functionality, one cannabis product stands out from the rest: the vape pen. You may also know them as THC cartridges or vaper cartridges. The fact is, in mature markets, vapes and vaper cartridges have rapidly become the concentrate-based product par excellence for novices and cannabis enthusiasts.

However, when it comes to choosing the right vape pen, several factors come into play. Many of these products appear similar at first glance, but there are many nuances that set them apart. Understanding the differences between these vape pens can help you make an informed decision about which product is right for you.

What is a vape cartridge?

A vape cartridge is a glass cartridge pre-filled with one gram or half a gram of’cannabis extraction. The extract used, called oil although it is not an oil in the sense of CBD oil, is most often distillate but can also be live resin. In all cases, the extract contains various combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes extracted from cannabis.

In the USA, most vape cartridges are THC-rich, but more and more CBD-dominant vape cartridges are coming onto the market, as we know them in France in a market where only CBD is allowed. Vape cartridges come in several forms: 510-threaded cartridges (the most common), as well as certain proprietary shapes such as Pax Era Pods.

How do vape pens work?

The vaper cartridges work in conjunction with the batteries of the vape pen. The battery powers a atomizer in the cartridge which heats the extract, activating the various chemical components it contains. You then inhale the vapor, which contains and produces the effects of cannabis. Some vape batteries have several functions that allow you to customize the temperature and manage the dose.

Why choose an oil-based vape cartridge?

Here are some of the advantages of using cartridges THC.

Ease of use

Vaporizing cartridges completely remove uncertainty from the equation. Unlike other methods of consuming concentrates, such as the dab rig and nail, cartridges require little or no effort - just press a button and inhale.

Portability

Vaper cartridges are the easiest way to enjoy cannabis on the move. Their sleek, minimalist design allows for discreet smoking, without the annoying features of larger installations, and they produce no noticeable smoke or odor.

Dosage

For novice cannabis concentrate users, dosage can be a major concern. No one wants to go through an overwhelming experience trying to enjoy cannabis. Unlike dabbing, The use of a preloaded vape pen enables a highly controlled dose with each inhalation, giving you more control over the amount you consume.

What are the disadvantages of vape pens?

Although THC cartridges are excellent for their ease of use, portability and dosage, they do have a few drawbacks compared with other consumption methods.

Cost

Vaper cartridges can be quite expensive, with costs ranging from €20 to €60 or more per half gram or gram of extraction, depending on the market and extraction method. When you can get a gram of flower for much less than a one-gram vaper cartridge, it's a little harder to choose the latter.

Physical effects

Vape cartridges tend to provide a shorter-lasting high than other methods such as joints, dabs and edibles, as they are consumed in smaller doses. However, while the effects may not last as long, they can also hit harder if over-consumed, so be sure to monitor dosage appropriately.

Battery life

Monitoring the use and power levels of a vape battery can be quite annoying, as frequent use can drain it quite quickly. To avoid this inconvenience, it's best to charge your vape pen battery every night before going to bed, or to have a fully-charged backup battery handy.

How to use a vape pen

It's quite simple: just screw your cartridge onto the battery and start puffing. If there's an On/Off button, use it.

Here are some quick tips to remember when smoking a vape cartridge:

• If your device has an On/Off button, chances are you can turn it on by clicking 5 times. The same number will turn it off
• Make sure your cartridge is fully attached to its battery to prevent extraction leakage.
• Keep your vape pen upright to avoid oil leaks
• Start dosing slowly, as it is very easy to overconsume with vape cartridges.
• Keep an eye on the temperature to make sure your cartridge doesn't heat up too much, which could alter some of the extraction chemicals - 3 clicks are usually enough to adjust the temperature.

Don't forget to always buy your cartridges from a reputable dealer to ensure you get the safest products!

Types of THC vaper cartridges available

Familiarize yourself with the many types of vaper cartridges available on the market so you can buy the one that best suits your needs or preferences.

Cartridge/battery combinations and disposables

Most products generally feature a standard 510 screw thread into which a battery is screwed. The exception is a preloaded cartridge designed by a specific company for use with its own spray/stack, for example with PAX Era pods.

In addition, some vape pens are available as «disposables», which contain a pre-charged battery designed to support the device until the cartridge runs out. These pens do not require charging and are intended for disposal after use.

What is a 510 cartridge?

A 510 cartridge is the most common type of vaper cartridge. The term 510 describes the type of screw thread used to attach the cartridge to its battery.

Distillate cartridges vs. CO2 oil

For a vaporizer cartridge to work properly, its contents must have the right viscosity, otherwise extractions will either be too thick or too liquid to vaporize properly in your device. Depending on the raw material used, cartridge manufacturers employ several methods to create the perfect extraction for their pens.

CO2 extraction. Some high-quality winterized CO2 oils are only compatible with vaporizer cartridges, as they require no additives to achieve the viscosity levels necessary for vaporization in an atomizer. If manufactured correctly, these extractions are able to retain modest levels of herbal terpenes, which act as natural diluting agents and give the extract its strain-specific flavor.

Distillates. A cannabis distillate cartridge is a highly refined oil containing pure cannabinoids and almost nothing else. The advantage of using distillates in vaporizer cartridges is that the oil can be produced from a range of starting materials. Virtually all varieties of’cannabis extraction, CO2 to BHO and everything in between, can be purified into a distillate with the appropriate equipment.

The disadvantage of using distillates in vape cartridges is that, since there are no residual terpenes, there's nothing to reduce the product's viscosity. For a distillate to be used in cartridges, a diluting agent is often required.

Additives. They are sometimes used in vape cartridge extractions as an additional diluting agent. In some cases, methods have been adopted to cut or infuse various cannabis oils with certain substances such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), or even medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), such as coconut oil, in order to maintain a less viscous, long-lasting oil consistency conducive to the functionality of standard atomizers.

This process has become highly controversial due to the health issues raised, and products containing these thinning agents are less and less present on the market. One way in which spray cartridge manufacturers have been able to move away from artificial cutting agents is by using terpenes.

Infusions of terpenes and aromas specific to cannabis varieties

The use of terpenes in vaporizer cartridges has reduced the viscosity of cannabis extraction and increased flavor and aroma, making it a potentially safer alternative to other cutting agents.

Terpenes not only add flavor and aroma to the experience, they can also help modify the effects of a product due to their ability to influence the way cannabinoids interact with our bodies.

There are several ways of using terpenes with vape cartridges. Some manufacturers rely on CO2-based extractions. Refined with ethanol, these retain the plant-derived terpenes at a percentage that enables adequate viscosity to be achieved. In this way, manufacturers are able to sell flavors based on natural strain profiles.

Natural terpenes derived from cannabis that have been fractionated during refining can be reintroduced into cannabis extractions in small percentages, creating a spectrum of flavors and effects while giving the oil the correct consistency required to work in a cartridge.

Products labelled by effect

Sometimes, vaping oil cartridges are labeled and marketed according to their supposed effect on the consumer. Products of this type tend to claim «relaxing» or «energizing» effects, and some are labelled as indica, sativa or hybrid.

Many of these vape cartridges incorporate carefully blended combinations similar to what might be found in a strain or strain type. The extent to which these infusions mimic a specific strain is debatable.

CBD-specific vaporizer cartridges

While many vape pens are labeled by flavor or effect, some focus on cannabinoid concentration. In addition to the typical high-THC product that most pens offer, some manufacturers offer products containing high levels of cannabidiol (CBD).

High-CBD pens may or may not contain added flavorings, but they guarantee a THC/CBD ratio that can range from 2:1 to 20:1 and more. These types of pens offer great wellness benefits to those seeking CBD in an easy-to-consume product.

Full-spectrum vape cartridges

The pinnacle of vaper oil cartridges in terms of overall quality is reached with full-spectrum extracts. These products are created from the full spectrum of bioavailable molecules present in a given cannabis strain. A full-spectrum extraction does not add, reintroduce or remove any active compounds in a strain, and offers deeper flavors and effects than most other products.

Full-spectrum cartridges are hard to find and only offered in certain markets, and their price also tends to reflect their rarity. If you're lucky enough to live in a place where they're available, we recommend shelling out the extra cash to try one. In terms of strain comparability, the flavor of a full-spectrum cartridge is incredibly similar to what you'd experience with flowers.

How long does a vape cartridge last?

The lifespan of a vape cartridge depends entirely on a person's consumption rate. The only thing we know for sure is that a one-gram cartridge will last you much longer than a half-gram cartridge.

How do I refill a vape pen cartridge?

Some vape cartridges can be filled with fresh extraction using a syringe. It's important to use a syringe as it reduces the risk of wastage. Proprietary cartridges like Pax Pods are not refillable, so you'll need to get rid of them and buy a new one.

Overall, there are many types of THC cartridges to consider, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Whatever your tastes, there's bound to be a cannabis cartridge available to suit your individual needs.