Ask Away Blog: Everything You Need to Know About THC Cartridges

Cartridges offer the convenience of a controlled dose with each inhale. They’re easy to use and don’t require bulky bongs or many extra tools.

There are several different types of cartridges, but most are filled with cannabis oil. Some producers use additives to thin their oils enough for cartridges, while others remove terpenes during distillation.

What Are They Made From?

Cartridges are quickly becoming one of the most popular products on dispensary menus. They’re portable, discreet and can hold a variety of different concentrates. But what’s actually inside a cartridge?

A THC cartridge contains an extract made from marijuana or CBD oil. This oil is typically extracted using butane or CO2. The section can then be put into a pre-filled cartridge.

You can purchase a distillate or live resin cartridge from most dispensaries. Distillate carts contain a pure extract with high levels of THC. However, since the terpenes are removed during distillation, they can sometimes have a dull or unremarkable flavor. On the other hand, live resin cartridges preserve many of the natural terpenes and tastes of the cannabis flower they come from.

THC cartridges in Utah can also contain additives and cutting agents, such as glycerin or propylene glycol. These additives are used to create a smoother, more consistent experience. They can also be helpful in masking odors that may be present in the oil. Choosing a cartridge without these additives is an important consideration for many consumers.

How Do They Work?

THC cartridges, also known as weed carts, are a convenient and discreet way to consume cannabis. They contain pre-filled THC oil and can be attached to a compatible battery. When the battery is turned on and inhaled, it vaporizes the oil and delivers THC to the user.

The oil inside a THC cartridge is either extracted from marijuana plants or made synthetically in a lab. In the lab, it is often distilled through low heat. This process removes many other cannabinoids and terpenes, so most distillate cartridges only offer one cannabinoid. Some companies add terpenes to the product to recreate the expected flavor and other effects.

Other options for cannabis oil include live resin oils or rosin oils. Live resin oils are extracted from fresh frozen buds and contain more terpenes than distillate or CO2 oil. The only downside to these cartridges is that they are typically more expensive than other options. A high-quality cartridge will also have a tight seal, and O rings that prevent leaks and air from entering the contents.

How Much Are They Costing?

Half-gram cartridges run $20-$40 in Colorado, while 1-gram carts cost between $40 and $60. Prices are impacted by the concentrate quality and the cartridge type, with higher-end products and premium distillates typically costing more. Other factors can also influence pricing, such as the presence of any added ingredients that affect how the product vaporizes.

For instance, a cart that uses fresh-frozen terpenes and low-heat distillation may produce a more authentic flavor profile than one that utilizes non-cannabis-derived terpenes or high-heat distillation (which degrades the terpenes). Some companies even offer session monitoring to help users track estimated milligram amounts of THC consumed per draw.

While all THC cartridges deliver a psychoactive high, the intensity of the experience can vary widely between individuals. It’s always best to start with a low dose and gradually increase your consumption until you find the right dosage. This will also help prevent unwanted or unpleasant side effects like diacetyl inhalation, which can lead to popcorn lung.

What Are They Made Of?

Cartridges have quickly become the preferred method of consuming cannabis for many consumers. Cartridges come in all shapes and sizes, but they all work the same way by delivering extract directly into your lungs through a small chamber in the middle of the cartridge.

Cartridges are typically filled with products on the concentrates shelf in your local dispensary. The difference between the different types of cartridges is the chemistry used to create the extracts. Some cartridges are made with live resin, while others use distillate. Live resin cartridges contain the terpenes preserved during extraction, meaning the flavor resembles the original flower or trim used to create the oil.

Distillate cartridges are created through hydrocarbon solvents like butane. These methods strip away most contaminants in a full-extract oil and leave a much more purified product. Cartridges can also be filled with additives, often natural substances like vegetable glycerin or coconut oil, that act as thinning agents. Some additives may harm the consumer, and consumers must check third-party lab test results for their products.

Where Can I Find Them?

THC cartridges, also known as “weed carts,” are a convenient and portable way to consume tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These cylinder-shaped, pre-filled cannabis oil-filled cartridges work with a 510-thread battery to vaporize a specific strain of marijuana extract.

The majority of THC cartridges contain either CO2 or hydrocarbon cannabis extract. The oil is cut with thinners such as polyethylene glycol or vegetable glycerin to make it less dense and suitable for atomizers and wicks. This is usually done to reduce the terpenes lost during the distillation process. Many producers now replace these additives with natural thinning agents such as coconut oil or food-grade terpenes.

A gram-sized THC cartridge can last a light to moderate user about 100 puffs on average. It is important to note that the number of breaths varies by user and cannabis concentrate.

Cartridges are available in reusable and disposable form at dispensaries across states where marijuana is legal, including recreational and medical. They’re easy to toss in your pocket or bag and will fit into the battery-powered vaporizer’s tank/chamber when attached.