Vapes 101: Cannabis Vapes, Types, Benefits, and Usage Tips
Discover the world of cannabis vapes, including the different types of cartridges, their benefits, and how to use them. Learn about full-spectrum, distillate, and CBD-specific vape cartridges.
December 20, 2024 18:44
What Are Cannabis Vapes?
Cannabis vapes, often referred to as vape pens, vape carts, or pre-loaded cannabis oil vape cartridges, are celebrated for their ease of use, portability, and functionality. These products have rapidly become the preferred choice for both cannabis novices and enthusiasts.
Choosing the Right Vape Pen
Selecting the ideal vape pen involves considering various factors. Although many products may seem similar at first glance, there are nuances that distinguish them. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision about which product is right for you.
The Different Types of Cartridges
Familiarize yourself with the various types of oil vape cartridges available so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Cartridge/Battery Combos vs. Disposables
Most vape products come with a standard 510 thread that a battery screws into. The exception is pre-loaded carts designed by specific companies to be used with their own vaporizer/battery systems—an example is PAX Era Pods. Alternatively, some vape pens are available as “disposables,” which contain a pre-charged battery designed to support the device until the cart empties. These pens require no charging and are meant to be disposed of after use. They contain no threading and are not meant to be separated from their battery.
What is a 510 Cartridge?
A 510-thread cartridge is the most common type of vape cartridge. "510" describes the type of threading used to screw the bottom of the cartridge to the appropriate vape battery.
Distillate Cartridges vs. CO2 Oil
For a vaporizer cartridge to function properly, its contents must have the proper viscosity; otherwise, the oils will either be too thick or too thin to vaporize effectively within the device. Depending on the starting material used, cartridge manufacturers use several methods to create the perfect oil for their pens.
CO2 Oil: Certain high-grade winterized CO2 oils are uniquely compatible with vaporizer cartridges because they do not require additives to meet the viscosity levels needed to vaporize in an atomizer. If made properly, these oils retain modest levels of plant-based terpenes, which act as natural thinning agents and give the oil its signature strain-specific flavor.
Distillates: A cannabis distillate cart 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 various starting materials. Virtually any cannabis oil variety, from CO2 to BHO and everything in between, can be purified into a distillate with the right equipment.
CBD-Specific Vape Cartridges
Although many oil vape pens are labeled by flavor or effect, some focus on cannabinoid concentration. Aside from the typical high-THC product that most pens offer, some manufacturers provide products containing elevated levels of cannabidiol (CBD).
High-CBD pens may or may not contain added flavors, but they guarantee a ratio of THC to CBD that can range from 2:1 all the way to 20:1 and greater. These types of pens offer significant wellness benefits for those seeking CBD in an easy-to-consume product.
Full-Spectrum Vape Cartridges
The pinnacle of oil vape cartridges, in terms of overall quality, rests with full-spectrum extracts. These products are created using the entire spectrum of bioavailable molecules found within a given cannabis strain. A full-spectrum oil does not add, reintroduce, or remove any active compound within a strain and offers flavors and effects with more depth than most other products.
Full-spectrum cartridges are hard to come by, and their price tends to reflect their rarity. If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to try these products, we recommend paying extra to give one a try. The flavor of a full-spectrum cart is incredibly similar to what you would experience with flower.
How to Use a Vape Cartridge
Using a vape cartridge is simple: Just attach your cart to the battery and start puffing. If there’s an On/Off button, use it. Here are a few quick tips to remember:
If your device has an On/Off button, chances are you turn it on by clicking it 5 times. The same number turns it off.
Make sure your cart is completely attached to its battery to avoid any oil leakage.
Keep your vape pen upright to avoid oil leakage.
Start slow with dosing as it is very easy to overconsume with vape carts.
Benefits of Vape Cartridges
Ease of Use: Vape cartridges take the guesswork out of consuming oil. Unlike other methods, such as a dab rig and nail setup, carts require little to no effort—just press a button and inhale.
Portability: Oil vape carts are the easiest method of enjoying cannabis on the go. Their sleek and minimalist design allows for discreet vaping, free of the distractions of larger setups, and they don’t produce noticeable smoke or odor.
Dosing: For new cannabis concentrate consumers, dosing can be a major concern. Vape pens allow for highly controlled doses with each inhalation, giving you more control over how much or how little you consume.
Drawbacks of Vape Cartridges
Cost: Vape carts can be pricey, with costs between $20-60 or more per half-gram or gram of hash oil, depending on the producer and extraction method.
Physical Effects: Vape cartridges tend to provide a shorter-lasting high than other methods like joints, dabs, and edibles because you consume them in smaller doses. However, while the effects may be shorter, they can also hit harder if overconsumed, so make sure to monitor dosing appropriately.
Battery Life: Monitoring a vape battery’s usage and power levels can be annoying as frequent usage can drain them quickly. To avoid this nuisance, it’s best to charge your vape battery each night or have a backup on hand that’s fully charged.
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