Vape cartridges, also known as weed carts or simply carts, are one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis today. These handy little devices allow you to vape concentrated cannabis oil through an electronic heating system. But with so many types of cartridges on the market, it can get confusing for newcomers and experienced vapers alike.
This ultimate guide breaks down everything you need to know about cannabis vape cartridges. We’ll explore what carts are, the different types available, the various cannabis extracts used, and how to choose the right cartridge for your needs. Let’s dive in!
What Are Cannabis Vape Cartridges?
Cannabis vape cartridges consist of a mouthpiece, chamber or tank, and heating element known as an atomizer. The chamber is filled with concentrated cannabis oil containing active cannabinoids like THC and CBD. The atomizer heats the oil into a vapor that you can inhale.
Cartridges come in 0.5 mL or 1 mL sizes, indicating the amount of oil they hold. They connect to reusable vape pen batteries or all-in-one disposable vape pens. Once the oil runs out, disposable carts are thrown out while reusable ones can be refilled.
When you inhale from the mouthpiece, the battery supplies power to the atomizer which heats the cannabis oil. Vapor is created which you can draw into your lungs. Exhaling produces thick vapor clouds indicating a properly functioning cartridge.
Types of Cannabis Vape Cartridges
There are a few main types of vape cartridges to be aware of:
- 510 Thread Cartridges: The most common type of cartridge, compatible with most batteries. Easy to find and replace. Can be disposable or refillable.
- Disposable Vape Pens: Convenient all-in-one devices with no charging or refilling needed. Great for new vapers. Once the oil runs out, simply throw out and replace.
- Proprietary Cartridges: Special carts designed for use with specific batteries, often allowing precise temperature customization. However, have limited availability compared to 510 carts.
Cannabis Extracts Used in Carts
Now let’s explore some of the various cannabis extracts you might find pre-loaded or use to refill reusable vape cartridges:
- Distillate Oil: The most common vape cartridge oil. Distillates go through a purification process, boasting up to 99% cannabinoid levels. However terpenes are lost during distillation. They are often added back into distillate oils post-processing to produce better flavor. Distillates have a characteristic golden color.
- Live Resin: Made from freshly frozen cannabis to better preserve natural terpenes and cannabinoids like THC and CBD. This makes for a more flavorful and full-spectrum extract compared to distillates. Live resins are usually darker and less potent by volume than distillates but offer superior flavor.
- Rosin: Created using heat and pressure to extract oils from fresh frozen cannabis material without any chemical solvents. This makes rosins the purest type of extract however they have lower yields compared to other methods. Rosin carts provide a very natural cannabis flavor profile preferred by some vapers.
- Full Spectrum Extracts: Contains a wide array of cannabinoids from the cannabis plant like THC, CBD, CBN as well as hundreds of other beneficial bioactive compounds and terpenes. This creates an entourage effect thought to be more therapeutic compared to isolated extracts.
- CBD Extracts: High-CBD concentrates are growing in popularity for their relaxing, non-psychoactive effects. Various ratios like 20:1 CBD to THC can be found catering to different needs.
Choosing Your Cannabis Vape Cartridge
With so many options on the market, choosing the right cannabis vape cartridge comes down to a few key considerations:
- Desired Effects: Are you looking for a psychoactive high from THC or relaxing effects from CBD? This will inform what type of oil cartridge suits your needs. Research different strains and oil types.
- Potency: Be mindful of the THC and CBD percentages of whichever oil you choose, especially if you’re new to cannabis. Start low and work your way up to avoid any unwelcome surprises from oils that are overly potent for your tolerance.
- Quality: Only purchase cartridges from licensed dispensaries you trust. Check reviews and ask questions. Avoid cheap carts that seem suspiciously discounted or black market. Signs of low oil quality include dark coloration, thick viscosity, burnt taste and lack of air bubble movement.
- Battery Compatibility: Ensure your chosen cartridge fits with your reusable battery’s connection type, usually a 510 thread. Proprietary carts require specific batteries sold by the same brand.
- Personal Preferences: With so many weed cartridge varieties around, you’re bound to find one that perfectly caters to your preferences once you experiment a little. That could mean splurging on a live resin cart for superior flavor or keeping it simple with a distillate for affordability.
Summary
Cannabis vape cartridges offer a convenient way to enjoy concentrated oils from the plant through smooth, flavorful vapor. With options like reusable 510-thread carts full of distillates or live resins to disposable all-in-ones, there’s a huge variety of cartridge types and cannabis extracts out there to explore. Do your research to find one perfectly suited to your preferences and tolerance.
If you have any other questions about the different types of weed cartridges or how to use them, feel free to leave a comment below!
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