If you want the extra oomph of cannabis concentrates but don’t want to dab, THC vape carts are a great middle ground. With a little cleaning, no maintenance, and no extra parts to figure out, vape carts simplify your sesh. This guide takes you through the ins and outs of THC vape carts and gives you a handy reference when shopping for them at a cannabis dispensary.
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What are THC vape cartridges?
THC cartridges are small containers filled with cannabis oil that are ready to enjoy without any other prep. In most cases, they’re outfitted with a 510mm thread that attaches to “universal” vape pen batteries, though you may find other proprietary, closed system designs like AIRO at your dispensary. At the other end of the cart is a mouthpiece for easy vaping.
These potent vape carts offer the experience of high THC concentrates in an easy-to-use, no-mess package, allowing you to consume quickly and easily so long as you have a charged vape battery that is compatible with your cartridges.
Vaporizing vs. Smoking
You may find vaping cannabis preferable to smoking for a variety of reasons. Vaping offers a less harsh experience since you don’t combust (AKA light on fire) any paper or plant material during the process. Vaping also makes consuming high-THC cannabis oil easier, providing a potent experience that high-tolerance consumers may prefer to cannabis flower.
Of course, cannabis flower can be vaporized as well, provided you use a device that is compatible with dry herbs. But that still often requires other parts like a grinder. When it comes to THC vape cartridges though, you’ll be consuming cannabis oil, which can contain as much as 90 percent THC. Compare that to cannabis flower, which clocks in as low as 10 percent or as high as 30 percent or more THC.
Types of THC vape cartridges
While the most common type of THC vape cartridge you’ll encounter is the 510 thread vape cart, some other types may suit your sesh even better. Here’s a look at what types of vape cartridges you can expect to see in a cannabis dispensary.
- 510 thread: When you think of vape cartridges, you’re most likely to picture a 510 thread vape cart. These small, cylindrical containers are affixed with a small thread that screws into compatible vape batteries. The battery powers a heating element inside the cartridge, which vaporizes the cannabis oil so you can inhale the vapor through the attached mouthpiece. When a 510 vape cart is empty, just unscrew it from the battery, dispose of it, and replace it with a fresh cartridge.
- Disposable: These vapes come with the cannabis oil and the battery in one attached unit. They’re designed to be disposed of when the oil is depleted. Disposables make the process of vaping even easier and don’t require you to purchase additional hardware.
- Pod systems: Pod systems, sometimes called closed systems, are specially designed vape cartridges intended to work with a particular make and model of vaporizer. At Queen City, you’ll find Airo vape pods, which are compatible with Airo vaporizers. These AiroPods are a great choice if you prefer live rosin or live resin, and they come in a wide selection of different cultivars to suit any preference.
What kind of extract is in a THC vape cart?
The type of extract in a THC vape cart varies from brand to brand. Some include THC distillate, which is nearly pure THC, while others offer a broad-spectrum cannabis oil packed with a variety of cannabinoids and terpenes.
If you prefer cannabis oil that contains most of the compounds found in the plant, opt for live resin or live rosin vape carts. These extracts are made with extracts from freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis flower, and they’re known for their rich flavors and aromas.
For example, Pyramid makes sauce carts, while Verano offers a nectar cart.
Another popular choice among vape enthusiasts is live rosin, a solventless extract made from fresh-frozen cannabis flower. This method preserves the full spectrum of flavors and effects to result in a more robust experience. Brands like Lily Extracts and ONYX provide great options within this category.
Live resin vape carts
If you prefer cannabis oil that contains most of the compounds found in the plant, opt for live resin vape carts. These carts are made with extract from freshly harvested frozen flower, preserving cannabis at its freshest and most potent point. They’re known for their rich flavor and aroma. Queen City carries Kind Tree Live Resin cartridges.
What do you need to consume vape cartridges?
For most vape cartridges, you will simply need a battery that’s compatible with the vape cart you’ve chosen. For 510 vape carts, any battery with a 510 thread will do. If you opt for a pod system like the AiroPod, you’ll need a compatible device from the same manufacturer. Disposable vaporizers do away with the requirement to purchase a compatible battery. Always check to ensure your vape carts are compatible with the battery you intend to use before buying.
How to shop for vape cartridges in NJ
When shopping for THC vape cartridges in New Jersey, there are a few things to keep in mind about state laws and product quality. When choosing the right vape cartridges for you, it’s important to consider the following factors.
Know how much you can buy in New Jersey
In New Jersey, you can purchase up to the equivalent of one ounce of cannabis per transaction in a dispensary. Vape carts contain cannabis oil, a concentrate, so you can purchase up to four grams per visit. Vape carts generally come in 0.5-gram and 1 gram containers, so plan your purchases accordingly.
Decide the kind of experience you want to have
The type of extract you choose will have a big influence on your overall experience, so consider what you want out of your session before visiting the dispensary. Some cultivars provide deep relaxation, for example, while others provide an uplifting and energizing one. Purchasing a vape cart filled with THC distillate will offer a potent high, but is unlikely to produce the same effects as a broad-spectrum product that contains a range of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Not sure what you need? Just ask your budtenders for their recommendations based on your goals and expectations.
Consider your options
Each cannabis dispensary has its product selection, so your options will depend on the store you visit. Visit the dispensary menu before stopping by so you know what they have on hand. List your top choices based on cannabinoid and terpene content and how you expect each to affect you. If you’re unsure of what options are available, you can always ask the budtenders on staff what’s in stock and what they recommend.
Adhere to safety best practices
Safety is paramount when it comes to cannabis, so always check to make sure you’re purchasing lab-tested products that are certified safe. The best way to ensure product safety is to shop at a licensed dispensary like Queen City, which only carries products that are legally required to undergo testing before they are sold to you.
Additionally, vaporizers are electronic devices that should be treated with care. Avoid getting your device wet, as moisture can cause electrical malfunctions that may damage your device. You should also avoid using your vaporizer while the battery is charging.
Tips for consuming vape carts
To get the most out of your vape carts and ensure a positive experience, incorporate the following tips into your next session.
- Know your tolerance: THC vape carts are potent products. If you have a lower tolerance, keep in mind that you’ll need to smoke much less of a vape cart than you would of cannabis flower. Start with a small amount and only gradually increase how much you consume over time. Always aim for the minimum amount required to achieve your desired experience.
- Know where you’re allowed to consume in New Jersey: State law specifically describes where consumption is and is not allowed. The only place where consumption is permitted is on private property with permission from the owners, so keep your vape clouds confined to these locations.
- Clean your device periodically: While vape carts require very little cleaning or maintenance, it’s best practice to clean your battery and cartridges periodically. Resin can build up between a vape cartridge and the battery, blocking the contacts needed to power the heating element in the vape cart. Use a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol to gently clean these contacts and let them dry completely before using your device again.
- Keep your battery charged: Vape batteries only work when they’re charged, so if you want to get the most out of your sesh make sure your battery has the juice to get the job done. When not using your vape, charge it fully and then unplug it. It’s wise to remove a vape cartridge from the battery while it’s charging as well.
- Store your carts appropriately. When you’re not using your vape cart, store them upright to minimize the chance of leaks. Always detach the vape cart from the battery when you’re not using it to protect the delicate contacts that connect the battery to the cart.
THC vape cart brands carried by Queen City
Keep an eye out for these great vape cart brands when you visit your local cannabis dispensary, as these are some of the best New Jersey cannabis has to offer. Some of the brands you may find at Queen City include:
- Airo: Airo offers a line of AiroPods designed for use with the company’s closed-system vape. The company is focused on delivering a top-notch cannabis experience with the highest quality material and technology.
- Fernway: You’ll find 0.5g and 1 gram carts, along with 2 gram disposable vape pens, from Fernway at Queen City. This brand has made a splash in New Jersey from its home state in Massachusetts, prioritizing quality extract in all its products. Read our Fernway product review.
- Legend: When it comes to THC distillate, Legend is a must-know name in the vape cart game. The company offers both vape carts for rechargeable batteries and disposable vape pens.
- Lily Extracts: New Jersey’s born-and-bred extracts brand focuses on live resin vape carts, along with other concentrate products.
- Ozone: Ozone’s premium cannabis products and unique selection of strains make it an exciting vape cart brand that’s well worth trying. These cartridges are made with pure distillate and include naturally derived terpenes for serious flavor.
- Rythm: These vape carts are filled with full-spectrum CO2 extract and strain-specific terpenes, closely replicating the true-to-the-plant experience.
- Simply Herb: The flavorful distillate vape carts from Simply Herb offer a no-frills experience that doesn’t skimp on quality.
- Timeless: Each handcrafted flavor from the Timeless Vapes brand lineup focuses on the best possible extract first and foremost. The terpenes used in their vapes are 100% botanically derived as well.
- The Clear: Every vape from The Clear offers 100% solvent-free and pesticide-free concentrates known for their unmatched potency, purity, and flavor.
- Timeless: These solvent-free vape carts from Timeless contain botanically derived terpenes for a rich sesh.
Check out Queen City’s dispensary menu before stopping in to see which of these great brands we have in stock.
Shop for THC vape cartridges at Queen City
If you want quality products, you must shop at the top dispensaries. Queen City’s commitment to quality products and a great shopping experience is unmatched, so stop into our Plainfield dispensary and see what makes us different. Our budtenders are happy to walk you through our menu and help you make a purchase you’ll be truly happy with. We look forward to getting to know you and supporting you during your cannabis journey.
