The Dangers of Fake Carts

Many people like cannabis vapes because they’re potent, convenient, and user-friendly. They are also easily accessible. Cannabis dispensaries often have an extensive vape selection and various battery options. 

While there are several benefits of cannabis vapes, there are also drawbacks. Counterfeit vape pens containing hazardous ingredients have managed to make their way into the hands of consumers. These fake carts are dangerous, and cannabis users should be aware of how to spot them.

What is a Vape Cart?

A vape cartridge, or “weed cart,” is the attachable portion of a vape pen setup. It is filled with cannabis concentrate, also referred to as oil.

The most common type of cart is the 510 thread, a classic screw-on cartridge that fits into a 510 vape battery. Other cartridges, like Pax or Stiiizy, are proprietary to the brand and only work with those specific brands’ batteries.

Once the cart is attached, the battery is activated by either pressing a button while inhaling or just inhaling. The battery heats the oil, turning it into vapor as you inhale.

Cannabis cartridges are usually made of glass and are either see-through or have a window that allows you to see the level of extract left. As the cartridge is consumed, the extract level diminishes. You’re ready for a new cart when it’s empty, the flavor changes, or it tastes burnt. 

The vape batteries have many cart options. There are ones for specific effects, different flavors, and various types of concentrates. The effects of vaping are similar to smoking, and users should feel them within a few minutes. Vape pens are available in CBD-rich and THC-rich options, providing users with a discreet, portable, but versatile way to consume cannabis. 

What are Fake Carts?

A fake cart often looks just like a real one, even accompanied by hard-to-distinguish counterfeit branding. The most dangerous difference is that they don’t contain a pure product. The oil inside the cartridge may contain harmful additives that are unsafe for consumption. The most commonly known one is vitamin E acetate, which can cause a range of damage to the lungs.¹

You can distinguish between a real cart and a counterfeit one in several ways. A real cart will be sold at a licensed cannabis retailer. It will come in child-proof sealed packaging with the appropriate certifications, best buy date, and product information listed. It will also be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis showing that it has undergone third-party lab testing.

The color of the concentrate can also indicate its quality. Most concentrate or oil inside vapes should be light amber or golden yellow. High-terpene full-spectrum extract, or rosin, may be darker in color. Users should avoid consuming vape cartridges that are too dark, unnatural, or inconsistent in color. 

The Dangers of Fake Carts and Pens

Fake carts and vape pens are dangerous. The oil inside may contain harmful additives that can seriously damage the consumer's health. The effects range from lung damage to death. If you think you may have purchased or consumed a fake cart, stop using it immediately and, if possible, return it to the retailer. 

The best way to avoid fake vapes is to purchase a high-quality vape from a licensed retailer. A product from a reputable brand will undergo third-party lab testing to ensure that the concentrate is free of harmful materials or additives. 

What if I hit a fake cart?

If you think you have hit a fake vape, stop using it immediately. One hit is unlikely to cause significant adverse health effects. However, using a fake cart repeatedly could potentially cause lung damage and neurological or mental health issues. 

How safe are fake carts?

Fake vapes are not safe for consumption. Without lab testing its impossible to know what substances were added to the carts or whether they are safe. The producers of these fake carts have no regulation, oversight, or accountability - no incentive to keep you safe.

Legal Issues

Fake vape carts aren't free from legal complications either. These counterfeit vapes are only sold on the illicit market, never in licensed dispensaries. So, when you're purchasing a fake cart, you're buying an illegal, unregulated product.

Are counterfeit vapes illegal?

Counterfeit vapes are illegal.

Can vape stores sell fake vapes?

While it is illegal for retailers to sell fake vapes, it can happen. However, licensed dispensaries will never sell fake vapes, making them the best option for trusted carts.

Avoiding Fake Carts

To avoid buying fake carts, consider the following.

• Dispensaries: You should only purchase products from reputable sources. This often means going to local licensed dispensaries. Learning more about navigating and asking questions at a dispensary can help you feel more comfortable.
• Brands: It’s best to only purchase products from reputable brands that are transparent about their third-party lab testing. 
• Packaging: Make sure a new cart's packaging isn’t tampered with.
• Experience: If the taste is unusual or you start to experience adverse side effects, it may be a sign that you don’t have an authentic cart.

How do you tell if your cart is laced?

One of the biggest giveaways that a cart is laced is the experience. If you take a hit from a cart and start to experience adverse side effects like dizziness, lung pain, or headaches, stop using it immediately. The packaging is another important clue. Before you start using a specific cart, make sure that its packaging has brand imagery, state-required labels, and test results and that it is unopened.

How do fake vapes make you feel?

If you’re using a fake vape, you may feel nauseous, unwell, paranoid, or have a headache.

What is the bubble test for carts?

One way users test for fake vapes is by doing the bubble test. Flip the vape upside down, and if the bubbles in the concentrate quickly move to the other end, you may have a fake cart. While this isn’t a guaranteed way to determine whether or not a cart is real, it can be a good place to start.

References

1. Rebuli ME, Rose JJ, Noël A, et al. The E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury Epidemic: Pathogenesis, Management, and Future Directions: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2023;20(1):1-17. doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.202209-796ST
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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.