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What you will learn in this post:
Vape pens are an extremely convenient way to consume cannabis, especially for consumers seeking a discrete and potent experience. Their popularity has risen significantly over the last few years as the legalization of cannabis and its products have spread throughout the U.S.1
Vapes – short for vaporizers – come in various designs, sizes, and brands. The most common vapes are all-in-one disposable pens and the more traditional version, which is a reusable battery and disposable cart. However, multiple other options exist for vaporizing cannabis, especially considering you can vape concentrate and dry flower.
Choosing which vape to purchase is overwhelming, even for the most experienced cannabis consumer. So many factors determine which vape is right for you. It’s truly a matter of personal preference and your product accessibility.
What is a Weed Cart?
‘Cart’ is short for cartridge, an essential part of the vape set. Weed cartridges are filled with cannabis concentrate and come in different sizes – usually between 0.3 grams and one full gram. Depending on which battery you’re using, these pieces are twisted on or popped into a battery. The size and how often you use the vape will determine how long the cartridge lasts, but once it’s empty, you can dispose of it and replace it with a new one.
Carts can not be used without a battery. The battery supplies the power to heat the concentrate inside the cartridge from where you will place your mouth to inhale.
There are a lot of reasons consumers choose to purchase vapes. They are super portable and easy to take along with you during most activities. Vape pens are also simple to use; some require users to hit a button while inhaling, but others are breath-operated without a button. These devices usually only produce minimal smoke and smell.
Vapes can also be incredibly potent. CBD-rich carts are available for those who don’t want the intoxicating experience, but THC carts have concentrations ranging from 70-90%+. However, either way, vapes deliver a high concentration of cannabinoids to the user, which can mean they’ll need to consume less often.
Being mindful of your tolerance level while consuming vapes is also important. These high concentrations of cannabinoids can increase your tolerance level, which may leave you chasing after an experience that may be hard to duplicate as time goes on. It’s best practice to consume the minimal amount you need to achieve your desired effect. This will also save you money in the long run.
The potency level of vapes and their ease of use are probably the top benefits for consumers. This is particularly true for people who don’t want to or can’t commit to the requirements of consuming through methods like smoking flower or taking dabs. Plenty of people also want to avoid the length of the experience when consuming edibles or tinctures. Vaping effects usually hit within moments and fade within an hour or so.
How to Choose the Best Weed Cart
There are so many options when it comes to shopping for vape cartridges. Choosing the right one depends on a wide range of factors.
The type of concentrate inside the cart can vary. The most common variations will use terms like distillate, live resin, and solventless live rosin. This is all in reference to how the concentrate is extracted and formulated. Whichever one you choose will provide a more potent experience than consumption methods like smoking flower. Some weed cart THC concentrations can reach over 90%.
Other factors to take into consideration are the type of cartridge and brand. Some cartridges are twist-on that only fit a standard 510 thread battery, and others are proprietary options like Pax Pods that only fit Pax batteries.
The size of the cart you get will also come into play in your decision. Depending on how often you consume, choose a size that will last as long as you need it while also not choosing a size too large that it can expire before you can finish it.
Vapes can get pricey, especially if they are your sole consumption method. Affordable options always start as low as $15, but some can go as high as $70. The price point is another popular factor in determining which cart is right for you.
Some consumers and industry professionals have strong opinions on which weed cart is ‘best,’ but it’s important to note it's also highly subjective. The most important factor in consuming vapes is always safety. Above all, you want a tested and reliable cannabis product that gets you to your desired feeling.
However, individuals should do their best to avoid CBD vapes with ingredients such as vitamin E, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings or other additives, as they could be harmful to your lungs.2,3 Counterfeit products have also made their way into the market and have caused severe adverse health issues, some as extreme as death.
Always purchase your vapes from reputable retailers and ensure your chosen product is tested. Vapes like these usually have a QR code or affiliated website where you can view this information. Ask your budtender to help you access this information.
The Best Weed Carts for 2024
There are an endless amount of cannabis brands that have produced a wide range of exceptional vape cartridges over the years.
Below are a few of the most recommended weed cart options available on Nugg Club. They may not be available to you in your area, but some of their features may be worth noting when deciding which vape you want.
- Bloom - Super Lemon Haze | Disposable | .5g
Blooms disposable vape pens are an excellent option for consumers looking for an all-in-one vape – no battery required. They offer distillate, live resin, and rosin options to suit everyone's preferences. Many consumers report Super Lemon Haze to be perfect for a day out and about. Bloom vapes are breath-operated and are super easy to use, even for the most beginner consumer.
- Jetty - Trainwreck | 510 compatible | 1g
Jetty is a reputable California-based brand available in a few different states. They make high-quality cartridges with premium concentrate. They offer distillate, live resin, and solventless options for their customers. Trainwreck is a cultivar from their classic line of vapes that fits 510 thread batteries. It exudes spice, pine, and sweet lemon flavors while promoting uplifting feelings of productivity.
- Stiiizy - Cherry Sunset (Gold) | Stiiizy proprietary | .5g
Stiiizy is one of the longest-standing brands in California’s market. They have many years of success backed by a satisfied following of customers. Stiiizy offers many options, including disposable and reusable battery/pod combos. They also have a wide selection of cultivars in different concentration variations. So make sure you’re purchasing the right one you need.
- Rove - Jealous Mints | 510 compatible | Premier | 1g
Rove makes delicious concentrates to fill their vapes and pre-rolls and makes their vapes with high-quality material. They offer live resin, distillate, and solventless in both carts and disposable options. Jealous Mints is a cultivar that our product curator said relaxed their muscles and produced sedating effects. It’s a potent option for experienced consumers.
- Leune - Cloud Berry | 510 compatible | 1g
If you prefer enhanced fruit flavors, Luene is your new go-to option. Consumers say that Leune's Cloud Berry is a more relaxing cultivar with tart berry flavors. It may help soothe your mood, reduce stress, and keep the chill vibes going.
For more insight into other vape brands, check out some of our previous reviews that have featured brands like Honey and LA Kush.
References
- Harrell MB, Clendennen SL, Sumbe A, Case KR, Mantey DS, Swan S. Cannabis Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults: a Scoping Review. Current Addiction Reports. Published online May 7, 2022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00413-y
↩︎ - Woodall M, Jacob J, Kalsi KK, et al. E-cigarette constituents propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin decrease glucose uptake and its metabolism in airway epithelial cells in vitro. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2020;319(6):L957-L967. doi:10.1152/ajplung.00123.2020
↩︎ - Yi-Fong Su V, Chen WC, Yu WK, Wu HH, Chen H, Yang KY. The main e-cigarette component vegetable glycerin enhances neutrophil migration and fibrosis in endotoxin-induced lung injury via p38 MAPK activation. Respiratory Research. 2023;24(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-022-02307-z
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
