Common Vape Cartridges Explained
Vape Cartridges
Medical Marijuana vape cartridges contain concentrates with more cannabinoids and terpenes than the dry leaf. The potency of the vape cartridges will range from 60-95%, while the strength of dry leaf averages between 15-22%. Vape cartridges are filled by weight not by volume and typically attach to a battery but may also be of a disposable type.
Vape cartridges can be a suitable option for breakthrough pain or acute symptoms, such as anxiety, PTSD, and nausea, as they offer a delivery method that provides rapid action with symptom relief typically within 5-10 minutes. The effect usually lasts 2-4 hours. Let’s look into the more common types.
What is Vaporization?
Vaporization is the process of heating your medical marijuana to a temperature that boils the plant's chemical compounds, creating an aerosol that can be inhaled. Since the MMJ isn't heated to the point of combustion, it produces fewer irritants and carcinogens. Studies suggest that vaporization is associated with fewer respiratory issues in MMJ patients but more research is needed into the effects of marijuana lung health.
What is a CO2 Cartridge?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extraction freezes and compresses CO2 to its supercritical state, then passes the cold CO2 liquid gas through the plant material using temperature and pressure to dissolve the plant resin.
The process pulls out essential cannabinoids and terpenes. The non-desirable oils and waxes, and other plant materials, are separated into collection vesicles. The terpenes are separated first and later be added back with the cannabinoids. The CO2 extraction method uses lower temperatures than a BHO extraction. The lower temperatures preserve a moderate amount of plant terpenes.
CO2 is a natural chemical compound generally considered a cleaner extraction agent than the BHO.
What is a BHO cartridge?
BHO (Butane Hash Oil) – This extraction method uses butane as the solvent to wash the plant material and separate the cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant oils. A vacuum pump or heat separates the butane from the plant waxes. BHO extraction is fast and inexpensive. Some butane extraction processes do not separate terpenes from cannabinoids, they are extracted together to produce the oil.
What is a Distillate cartridge?
Distillates contain a high potency cannabinoid concentrate stripped of all other plant compounds, including the terpenes. Distillates are usually made from the trim of the plant.
The distillation process is used to produce a cannabinoid isolate that separates the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant by physical or chemical extraction. The extract contains impurities, which are removed via a winterization process.
Winterization is often the process used to purify the extract. The plant waxes, fats, lipids, and chlorophyll are removed by mixing the section with ethanol and putting it into a cold environment for 24-72 hours. The impurities coagulate and settle to the bottom of the container. The extract and the ethanol solution are filtered, and the ethanol is evaporated. Distillation removes unwanted chemicals and impurities using heat. Distillates produce a very viscous oil. The oil is then thinned by adding terpenes back into the oil.
Distillates contain activated cannabinoids because THCA turns into THC when heated at 220 degrees Fahrenheit. This is called decarboxylation. You can consume a distillate without heating it and feel the effect.
What is Liquid Live Resin Cartridge?
Live resin is produced by freezing the flower to preserve the trichomes in a way that protects the terpenes in a live state. It might smell like a live plant before freezing. After extraction, the live resin is purged of the solvent at a low temperature to keep the terpenes intact. The low temperatures allow the cannabinoids to connect with the terpene oils to produce a more solid material than a shatter.
Live resin extraction doesn't use a high temperature, so the cannabinoids need to decarboxylate or activate with heat. Live resin takes advantage of the entourage effect between the cannabinoids and high terpene concentrations. It is usually a soupy consistency, with full aroma and flavor retained from the plant.
Pros and Cons
Cost:
If you're looking to save some money, consider a distillate or CO2, which is produced in a cost-effective way with little plant waste. But remember, a little live resin can go a long way due to the entourage effect. This is the effect of the cannabinoids and terpenes working together to produce an effect more remarkable than the individual parts.
Potency:
A Liquid Live Resin is probably better for medical relief than a higher potency of THC distillate or CO2 cart due to the entourage effect.
Distillates are more potent in THC than the Live Resin Carts but have little to no terpenes unless they have been added back in. Live resin carts have more preserved terpenes and could offer a better experience. Distillates are usually made from the trim, while liquid live resin carts are made from flower and the sugar leaves, maintain the trichomes and mimic the effect of dry leaf.
Flavor and aroma:
Liquid Live Resin closely resembles the flavor profile of the dry leaf, followed by CO2 and then distillate carts.
The Battery is the device that connects to the cartridge to heat up the oil cart and create a vapor. Disposable vape pens contain the vape battery and oil cart in an all-in-one device. Drawl activated and 3 heat button batteries, as well as Darts and Pods, are available.
Battery Tips :
Store cartridges, whether connected to a battery or not, in an upright position to reduce chance of leaking.
When you plan on not using a cartridge for a couple of days, disconnect it from the battery and store it upright in a cool, dark place.
Be careful how you carry pen with button in purse or pants so it does not accidentally get depressed and the cartridge burns out.
And remember to keep it with its original packaging.
The recent recall of DOH affected vape cartridges that contained compounds not approved by the FDA for inhalation. These included distilled food terpenes and botanical terpenes of pharmaceutical-grade extracted from other plant sources. The FDA generally recognizes food-grade terpenes as safe (GRAS) but has not been tested for them via the inhalation route.
Note: All products that come into the Pa Medical Marijuana supply chain are lab tested each time they come to market. They include a potency analysis to determine active ingredient content (i.e., cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.), and a contaminant analysis for foreign matter, heavy metal, microbial, pesticide, and residual solvent content.
If you are looking for more information about which vape cartridges or other formulation might be best for you, we welcome you to contact us to schedule a phone call with a Maitri pharmacist for a one on one consultation or to just ask a few questions. We are happy to help.
References:
Lazarjani, M.P., Young, O., Kebede, L. et al. Processing and extraction methods of medicinal cannabis: a narrative review. J Cannabis Res 3, 32 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00087-9
Effects of cannabis on lung function: a population-based cohort study RJ. Hancox, R. Poulton, M. Ely, D. Welch, D. R. Taylor, C. R. McLachlan, J. M. Greene, T. E. Moffitt, A. Caspi, M. R. Sears European Respiratory Journal 2010 35: 42-47; DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00065009
Valizadehderakhshan M, Shahbazi A, Kazem-Rostami M, Todd MS, Bhowmik A, Wang L. Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp)—Review. Agriculture. 2021; 11(5):384. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050384
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only. It would be best not to rely on this information to substitute for or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Suppose you have any concerns or questions about your health. In that case, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. The F.D.A. has not evaluated this information, nor is it intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease or disorder of any kind.