Are weed cartridges your preferred method of cannabis inhalation? Or are you considering switching over to cartridges? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we have compiled all of the information you need on weed cartridges, including details about what you should expect to find inside them!
Let’s dive in!
What Is A Weed Cartridge?
Weed cartridges have quickly become one of the most popular ways of consuming cannabis. This is because of the discreet and convenient nature of using weed in this way.
If you opt for a weed cartridge to consume your marijuana, you will benefit from there being much less of a smell, no need for grinding or carrying a pipe, and much more!
All you will need is a 510-thread battery and a pre-filled cartridge!
Depending on the type of battery, you will then need to hold down a button or inhale through a mouthpiece to activate the device. It will heat the weed, and you will then be able to smoke it.
This is great for both beginners and seasoned cannabis users, whether you are looking for something to use on the go or something super easy.
Ready-to-use cartridges have become super popular, and each company that makes this product has its own formula for what to put in them.
Some companies add flavorings, additives, and other cutting agents, while others don’t add anything to the cannabis oil.
So, let’s take a look at what potential ingredients you will find inside your weed cartridge!
Types Of Cannabis Oil In Your Weed Cartridge
Every weed cartridge will have a certain type of cannabis oil in it. THC cartridges have been made using CO2 oil for a long time.
To make these cartridges perfect for vaporizing, lots of producers cut the oils with thinners.
Some cartridges will have no additives in them, so if this is what you would prefer, you should look out for this! The ingredients will always be listed alongside the cartridges.
Common Cutting Agents And Additives Used In Your Weed Cartridge
Some companies that make weed cartridges use cutting agents and additives. They do this for several different reasons, including to make the extracts slightly less viscous or to increase their profits.
Some of the common cutting agents and additives used are:
Terpenes
The most common flavoring used in cartridges is terpenes. There are lots of different types of terpenes including cannabis-derived terpenes and food-grade terpenes.
This additive is nothing to worry about and it is simply used to add flavor to the weed. Sometimes terpenes are also used to make the oil into a liquid without adding thinners to the cartridges.
This is a good way to thin the cannabis oil because it means that no other additives are put into the cartridge.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often used in weed cartridges as it is great for thinning out the oils to make them work with most batteries and atomizers.
Glycols
Some additives are used in cartridges to get thicker concentrates. These shatter into a liquid form that can be vaporized.
These include things like Polyethylene Glycol and Propylene Glycol. These are used to make the THC oil suitable for working in e-cigarettes.
Sometimes, the thinners listed above will also be used in cartridges. They are easy to notice because they give the weed an additional harshness that will hit the back of your throat.
Some people do develop some irritation from these products, so you may want to look for a cartridge without this product in it.
This irritation can occur when you have repeated exposure to Propylene Glycol, whether it is eye, skin, nasal or oral exposure.
While these thinners are not deadly or too harmful, they can irritate you, and they take up a large part of the weight in the cartridge without it providing any contribution to the high.
Contaminants
Sometimes, there are contaminants within the cartridge. These include things like pesticides or any other unwanted materials.
What To Look For In Weed Vape Cartridges
When it comes to weed vape cartridges, there are some things that you should look out for so that you can avoid them.
Things like pesticides are definitely something that you will need to avoid.
Cutting agents that are commonly added to vape cartridges are also something to look out for. They will always be disclosed on labels if you are purchasing your product on the regulated market.
It is also important to look out for other extract modifiers which will intend to alter the viscosity of the product without compromising the flavor and aroma.
Plant terpenes are often used in this instance, and while they are FDA approved as being safe, this classification was based on food and not on inhalation products.
What Is Being Inhaled?
When you are smoking from a weed cartridge, you should be aware of what you are inhaling. The average inhalation will contain 1 mg of THC. The older the cartridge, the lower this number will be.
This is due to thermal degradation which occurs when heat is applied. With an increase in temperature, the chemistry of compounds changes, and this can damage the cartridge over time.
Cannabinoids and terpenes also degrade over time, releasing certain toxic compounds such as benzene and isoprene.
There is not enough research to give you detailed information on the impact that this can have on your health.
It is thought that the impact that these chemicals have on you may greatly vary from single exposure to long-term exposure.
Those who enjoy cannabis cartridges should ensure that they are aware of what is in their vape and should avoid cartridges that list lots of different unknown chemicals.
Effects Of Weed Cartridges
The effects that weed cartridges have will depend on the type of cartridge and the concentration of THC and CBD in the oil.
If you are using a THC-dominant cartridge, then you will get a psychoactive high.
This will give you feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and sedation. If you are using a CBD-dominant cartridge, you will get effects that are calm and soothing.
Usually, you will feel the effects of weed cartridges within a few minutes of taking a puff. The effects can last several hours.
Depending on the potency of the weed, the intensity of the effects and the duration of the high will change. This will also depend on your tolerance to the drug.
Pros And Cons Of Using Weed Cartridges
Weed cartridges are just one of many ways that you can consume weed. There are some pros and cons to choosing this method.
Pros
Convenience
Weed cartridges are very convenient as they are discreet and portable. They are also very easy to use for beginners.
If you are looking for on-the-go use, then this is the perfect method for cannabis consumption.
Customization
There are lots of different types of cartridges available, so you have the opportunity to find one that suits you.
Whether you want THC-dominant or CBD-dominant, there will be one that is perfect for your preferences and needs.
Consistency
The oil in the weed cartridges is standardized, meaning that you will know exactly what to expect every time you use a cartridge.
The oil is pre-measured and you will have the opportunity to be aware of exactly what is in the cartridges.
Cons
Health Risks
There are some health risks associated with using weed cartridges. You may experience lung irritation and lung damage from inhaling vaporized cannabis oil.
As well as this, the long-term health effects of using these cartridges are very much still unknown.
There may be some risks that we are not aware of yet, as researchers have not had enough time to figure out the long-term effects.
Cost
Weed cartridges tend to be a lot more expensive than purchasing cannabis in other forms. This is especially true if you are purchasing your cartridges from a licensed dispensary.
Environmental Impact
Disposable cartridges harm the environment because they create a large amount of waste. This is especially true if they are not recycled or disposed of properly.
Tips For Using Your Weed Cartridge Safely
If you have chosen weed cartridges as your method for cannabis consumption, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. These include:
Choose A Well Known Brand
It is a good idea to only purchase your weed cartridges from reputable brands that are well known for producing products of high quality.
Purchase the cartridges from a licensed dispensary to be sure that it is safe.
Start Low
If you are just starting with weed cartridges, it is a good idea to start with a low dose. You should wait a few minutes in between each inhalation to make sure that you don’t overdo it.
Store Cartridges Properly
It is important to store your weed cartridges properly to preserve their potency. You will need to keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Be Aware Of The Environment
It is a good idea to use refillable cartridges as this will produce much less waste. You can also recycle your used cartridges to reduce the impact that they will have on the environment.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! After reading this article you should now be aware of what is inside your weed cartridges and what to look out for.
Hi, I’m Zack Finch and I work as a Budtender for a Health & Wellness center here, in sunny California. I have been using marijuana recreationally for around 6 years now, and have many a time enjoyed the benefit that weed has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for informational guides about edibles, vape oil, CBD, how to roll a cross joint, the best blunt wraps, anything you can think of, I’ll cover it here.
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