Vapes, Explained

What’s a vape, you say? Get ready to inhale some hot knowledge.

Generally speaking, vaping is when you inhale cannabis by heating it without burning it. You can vape flower and concentrates using a vaporizer or dab rig, but that’s not what we’re talking about today. We’re here to share our smarts about the wonderful world of carts.

What’s a cart?

Vape cartridges – or carts – are pre-filled glass chambers that attach to a reusable, rechargeable battery. They’re filled with different types of liquid-like cannabis oils and can be made using specific strains or a blend of cannabinoids & terpenes.

What are the different types of extracts used in vapes?

Distillate Oil

This is currently the most common & popular type of vape cart. Distillate is a pure, high-potency THC oil. It’s made by taking premium plant material through an extensive extraction and distillation process.

Cannabinoid-rich oil is extracted with heat and solvents, then decarboxylated to activate the THC. Next, it’s purified into a translucent, viscous oil. Finally, like adding a cherry to a sundae, both cannabis-derived and hemp-derived terpenes reintroduced to the oil to enhance the distillate’s flavor and effects.

Resin

Resin vape carts are everything you love about your favorite flower strain – the aroma, flavor, and terps – packed into a convenient, ready-to-use vape. It’s made using a closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction method that preserves the unique terpene and cannabinoid profile of the strain. If you love a flavor-packed, full-spectrum experience, resin vapes might be right for you.  

Rosin

Rosin is made by mechanically separating the trichomes (aka the good stuff) from the rest of the plant material using a series of fine mesh screens and applying a slight heat to maintain the consistency. The result is a solventless concentrate with a fresh, flavorful, and strain-specific terpene and cannabinoid profile.    

What’s the difference between Live and Cured vape carts?

“Live” means it was made using plant material that was flash-frozen immediately after harvest. This process helps lock in the rich cannabinoid and terpene profile of the strain, resulting in an experience similar to consuming flower.

“Cured” vapes are produced using dried (or “cured”) plant material. If you’ve tried vapes before, there’s a good chance you were consuming a cured product. Curing consists of drying the harvested flower until it reaches a moisture content that is ideal for extraction (usually less than 10%).

What’s an Enhanced Vape Cart?

Enhanced vape carts are exactly as they sound – the carts are filled with distillate oil that has been “enhanced” with an additional concentrate, typically Live Rosin or Live Resin. If you’re a fan of distillate vapes but unsure about trying a rosin or resin carts, an enhanced vape cart is a great first step.

So… which one should I try?

You do you! Choosing the type of vape you want comes down to personal preference. Are you looking for an experience similar to smoking flower? Look no further than Live Rosin carts. If you want the feel-goods of flower with a more mellow aroma, Cured Resin carts are for you. Just trying to catch the vibes without getting too deep in the world of terps? Enhanced carts all day, bay-bay.

Still not sure? Start with a vape cart in a strain you’re familiar with and see what you like!