VAPES
Vape pens are one of the most popular products in Pennsylvania’s cannabis market. They offer a discreet and convenient consumption option for patients, and come in various shapes and sizes.
This page covers the different types of vapes patients will find in dispensaries (disposable vs. cartridge), how vapes are constructed, and the oil that goes inside.
WHAT IS A CANNABIS VAPE?
Vaporization is a common consumption method of cannabis that many turn to as an alternative to combustion.
Dry herb vaporizers have existed for years as a method of consuming flower, and in the last decade, vaporizing technology has grown to provide cannabis consumers with portable, handheld accessories that provide for discreet, convenient consumption of flower and cannabis oil.
Cannabis vape products are filled with concentrated cannabis oil extracted from flower and are ever-present in legal and medicinal markets nationwide. How these products are constructed, what they are filled with, and how they are used all depend on the technology used and the grower producing the product, but finding the answers to those questions goes a long way to helping find what vape product can work best for you.
HOW ARE VAPES CONSTRUCTED?
(DISPOSABLE VS. CARTRIDGE)
It is important to understand the mechanics of your vape pen, since it has a significant impact on the use of the product. All vape pens are not created equal—materials, design, and use vary by manufacturer. Your choice will depend on personal preferences and the functionality of each component. Here’s a breakdown:
DISPOSABLE
VAPE CARTRDIGE
Disposable vapes are single-use devices that include a pre-filled cartridge and battery in the device. Disposables can be thought of as all-in-one devices. Grower/processors will purchase the disposable from a vape manufacturer and fill it with cannabis oil. They provide multiple doses but are thrown out once the oil is gone, and cannot be refilled.
Vape Cartridges are purchased as a cartridge with oil that is separate from a battery. If you are purchasing a vape cartridge, you will also need a battery to use it. The standard vape cartridge in Pennsylvania is called a 510-threaded cartridge and it’s compatible with a variety of batteries. The key components of a cartridge that affects its quality and usability are listed below.
KEY COMPONENTS OF A VAPE
1. Atomizer: The atomizer heats the cartridge's contents, initiating vaporization. It typically includes coils wrapped around wicks made from materials like ceramic, cotton, or quartz. Atomizer designs vary by manufacturer, influencing the overall user experience. The atomizer is probably the most important component of the cartridge that affects the experience, so it’s best to inquire about the material used to construct it and gain an understanding of what provides the best experience for you.
2. Cartridge: This holds the cannabis extract (e.g., live resin, distillate) and includes the atomizer. Cartridges are usually disposable and cannot be refilled.
3. Mouthpiece: The user inhales through the mouthpiece, which is typically made of glass, ceramic, or plastic and varies in shape and size.
4. Battery: The power source of the vape pen, usually a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Many batteries are USB-compatible and have a 510-thread design, allowing compatibility with cartridges from different growers.
5. Power Button: The typical “stick battery” associated with 510-threaded cartridge vape pens often feature a power button to activate the atomizer. The button allows users to adjust temperature settings and it often uses either five or three clicks to turn the battery off and on.
WHAT IS IN A VAPE CARTRIDGE?
While hardware is essential, the cannabis extract inside the cartridge is the most critical component. Vape cartridges can contain various cannabis extracts, including:
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Liquid Live Resin (LLR): Made from flash-frozen flower via hydrocarbon extraction, live resin retains a rich terpene profile, delivering potent flavors and aromas.
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Distillate: A highly refined extract containing isolated cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Distillate is potent but lacks natural flavors and aromas unless terpenes are reintroduced. Distillate is typically the most cost-effective oil in cannabis markets.
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CO2 Oil: Produced via CO2 extraction, this process retains much of the original cannabinoid and terpene profiles, offering a full-spectrum experience with slightly lower potency.
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Rosin: Produced from fresh, frozen flower with no solvents—only ice water, heat, and pressure—rosin retains the complete profile of the original strain.
Each grower employs unique extraction methods and hardware to optimize the vaping experience, often balancing viscosity, potency, and flavor.
When purchasing a vape product at a dispensary, patients should first decide between a disposable pen or a cartridge and a reusable battery. Products are categorized by strain and oil type, such as "Kosher Tangie (LLR)," where "Kosher Tangie" is the strain and "liquid live resin" indicates the oil type. Comparing cartridges involves considering:
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Strain and type of extract
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Presence of additives (for flavor or consistency)
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Hardware quality
For growers, there is a balance in finding the perfect vape cartridge and pen construction for their product. The actual cartridges that are being filled with product, and the atomizers and batteries being used will all affect the consumption of the product, so the more a grower can tell you about what is in their cartridge the better.
All vape products are lab tested and held to a high-quality standard, but there are shortcomings of vape technology that limit what can go into the cartridge. The grower has to produce a product that has the right viscosity so it can be properly heated by the atomizer technology they choose. This means that if they are unable to get a concentrated cannabis product of the right viscosity for a vape pen, they will have to introduce additives into the product. These can come in the form of pre-mixed terpene solutions to introduce flavors and aromas or other diluting agents.
When looking at the differences between vape cartridges on the dispensary shelf it will come down to what the strain is, what type of extract is used, if there are any additives introduced for flavoring or consistency, and the hardware used by the grower for the vape.