Exploring the Popularity and Quality of Vape Cartridges

Vape cartridges are becoming increasingly popular among new cannabis consumers, and it’s easy to see why: they’re portable, discreet, and usually less pungent than flower. During the first four months of 2018, Californians spent $165 million on vape carts, Coloradans shelled out $62.4 million, and Oregonians spent $31 million, according to BDS Analytics. This makes cartridges the top-selling product in all three states. Given their popularity, let’s dive into the quality of cartridges and their contents.

Cartridges: High vs. Low Quality

Cartridges, the vessels holding cannabis extracts, can be categorized as high or low quality.

Low-Quality Cartridges:

• Made of plastic, which can leach chemicals into the oil.
• Have poor-quality or ill-fitting O-rings that leak.
• Feature pre-moistened wicks primed with glycerin or propylene glycol, which can cause allergic reactions.

These issues lead to higher customer return rates and frustration due to the subpar experience.

High-Quality Cartridges:

• Made from premium materials like glass, metal, and ceramic.
• Have properly-sized O-rings.
• Feature sealed joints preventing air and cartridge contents from mixing.

Always choose cartridges wisely, as a low-cost cartridge can signal poor-quality contents.

The Contents of Your Carts

As consumers become more knowledgeable, they’ll likely scrutinize your cartridge’s ingredients, much like food labels. It’s crucial to know everything about your product, whether you’re vertically integrated or working with a third-party extractor. Here’s a rundown of typical vape cartridge contents:

1. Cannabis-Derived Terpenes: Full-spectrum, retaining monoterpenes not degraded by heat.
2. Steam-Distilled Terpenes: Softer in taste but often lose some terpenes in the process.
3. Hydrosols: Byproducts of steam distillation, containing small percentages of terpenes.
4. Non-Cannabis-Derived Terpenes: Sourced from plants other than cannabis, approximating the original plant's aroma and flavor.
5. Artificial Flavors: Often sourced from the e-cigarette industry, with safety concerns.
6. HTFSE (High-Terpene Full-Spectrum Extract): Made from hydrocarbon extraction, high in terpene content.
7. CO2 Extracted: Retains fewer monoterpenes, resulting in weaker aroma and flavor.

Safety and Quality

Quality cartridges typically contain CO2, hydrocarbon, or distilled extracts, sometimes mixed with cannabis-derived terpenes for flavor. Some use steam-distilled cannabis terpenes and hydrosols, but these often lack key monoterpenes. Always verify your product’s ingredients and extraction methods.

Deciding on Quality

All extracts, isolates, and compounds can be added to a flavorless distillate to enhance aroma and flavor. However, this can create a wide disparity in quality. Darker oils often indicate lower quality due to excess lipids, fats, or pigments, although some high-quality extracts may be darker due to added HTFSE.

Cannabinoid Content

A vape pen cartridge with 99% cannabinoids may lack flavor due to fewer terpenes. Balancing cannabinoids and terpenes is crucial for a pleasant vaping experience. Manufacturers can tailor specific ratios to meet customer preferences.

Questions Ahead

As we develop new products, health and safety remain paramount. Questions about the appropriate dosage and medical applications of cannabinoids persist. Understanding the synergistic effects of cannabinoids and terpenes could lead to significant advancements in medical treatments.

Refillable 510 Cartridges: A Better Choice

We recommend using refillable 510 cartridges. This allows customers to choose high-quality oils and know exactly what they’re vaping, reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while vape cartridges offer a convenient way to consume cannabis, choosing high-quality products is essential. Educated consumers will demand better ingredients and transparency, driving the market towards safer and more effective products. Keep an eye on developments and always prioritize quality and safety in your offerings. For those looking to make a more sustainable and informed choice, refillable 510 cartridges are an excellent option.