Are Carts Weed?

There seems to be confusion about cannabis carts, even if they are now widely available in dispensary shops and online stores. What exactly are they, and are they the same as smoking traditional cannabis flower?

Here’s the quick explanation: weed carts are different from the cannabis flowers you light up to smoke. However, carts do contain oil derived from cannabis that elicits the same effects as you may feel when smoking a joint or doing a bong hit. 

Be sure to read until the end, as we break all the information down into digestible pieces. 

What Are Carts?

Weed carts, also known as cartridges, are glass tubes that contain cannabis oil extract. They are an essential part of the vaping device, which houses the liquid containing the main inhalable ingredient.

The cartridge itself is typically made of either glass or plastic, but most variants found in dispensaries are plastic. The oil varieties in these cartridges typically include distillates, live resin, live rosin, CBD oil, and full-spectrum extracts. 

As for the oil’s contents, you’re getting terpenes and cannabinoids, such as Delta-9, Delta-8, CBD, THCA, and others, in a cartridge. These are extracted using various extraction techniques, including steam-distilled, high-terpene full-spectrum extracts, CO2 extracts, and artificial flavors.

But how does the cartridge work with the entire vaping device? Inside, there’s the atomizer, the component within the cartridge that heats the contents of the cartridge. The exposure to high temperatures creates vapor droplets, which you inhale through the mouthpiece.

Of course, not all vape pens are created equal. Some include a power button that triggers a sensor and ultimately activates the atomizer. Others come to life once you inhale, and this is the type that most people go with for the added convenience. 

Carts vs. Weed Flower

The difference between carts and weed flowers is clear, but confusion still exists, especially for those unfamiliar with cannabis and its products. 

Let’s begin with their similarities. Both variants are derived from cannabis, and both can contain cannabinoids like THC and/or CBD. 

Now, for the differences, and here is the main one: carts are concentrated cannabis oil you vape, while flowers are plants in raw form you smoke through a joint or similar devices like pre rolls. Let’s compare the two more closely in terms of potency, effects, flavors, and shelf life.

Potency and Purported Effects 

Vape carts tend to be more potent than flowers because they are made of cannabis in concentrated form. Carts can sometimes have THC levels that are double or even triple what you get from flowers. Based on brand formulation, carts may also be CBD-dominant or have a THC-to-CBD ratio of 1:1, which makes the high more mellow or relaxed.

That said, the effects from vaping may be more intense at first but dissolve faster than flower. The high from carts is generally described as straightforward, clean, and clear-headed, while the consensus of experience from smoking flower is chronicled as robust and layered.

Cannabis flower effects can be unpredictable because not every batch of harvest yields the duplicate content and percentage of cannabinoids per bud.

If you want to mimic the dynamic high of flower in vape form, choose live resin or live rosin carts and avoid those tagged as “distillate.” You’ll see several live resin and live sauce cart options from our vape product line.

Flavor Experience

Smoking buds means you’re consuming them in their raw form. Therefore, you get to experience their natural flavors and aromas (brought by preserved terpenes), whether they’re earthy, woody, spicy, or skunky. 

While you still experience these tastes when vaping, they aren’t as natural as smoking buds. Any fruity flavors would seem artificial, similar to supermarket juices. 

However, this doesn’t mean that buds are better than vape carts. At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of preference.

Shelf Life and Storage Methods

This is where vape cartridges get a slight upper hand. Since the cannabis content is sealed and protected in the cartridge casing, you don’t have to worry about storage. As long as you store them in a cool, dry place, you can expect them to remain usable for years. However, storing oils for that long is also not advisable. 

Meanwhile, you must be more particular about storage when dealing with flowers. They should be kept in a sealed container to maintain their freshness and prevent mold development from the moisture that could seep in.

Mason jars are perfect storage containers to help your buds stay fresh for six months. Natural deterioration becomes more noticeable after that point, which is something to keep in mind. 

Are All Carts Made From Weed?

First, let’s differentiate weed from hemp. Weed, colloquially, refers to marijuana, the high-THC plant that is deemed not federally legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp, on the other hand, is a variety of cannabis containing no more than 0.3% Delta 9 and is made federally legal by the same bill.

Back to the question of “are all carts made from weed,” not exactly. While many vape carts are derived from cannabis, not every cart you’ll find on the market comes directly from weed. Some are hemp-derived, while non-cannabis vape cart variants use botanically derived terpenes or artificial flavorings. 

Carts made from weed or marijuana are considered illegal at the federal level in the U.S, but are made available in states that have legalized recreational or medical marijuana. You’ll easily find them in licensed dispensaries.

Hemp-derived carts are legal at the federal level, so you often see brands selling them online in various combinations of hemp-derived Delta-8, and THCA shipped to many states. 

The catch is, some states can make their own rules about hemp (and cannabis or vaping in general). Some banned Delta-8, THCA, or other hemp cannabinoids, even though they’re federally legal.

If you’re particular about your vape products and whether they are cannabis or hemp-derived, be sure to read labels carefully. It would also be best to purchase from reputable sources only to guarantee that you are consuming products that are free from possible contaminants. 

Is A Cart the Same As Weed?

Carts are weed in a sense that they are a cannabis-derived product. But if we are talking in a technical sense, they are not “weed” by definition since they are not cannabis in its raw form. 

This may create a slight confusion among non-cannabis enthusiasts, especially if they hear people refer to it as a “weed pen” or “weed vapes.” However, it is a mere classification since these are cannabis-derived products that induce the same effects as weed in a traditional sense would. 

Why Some People Prefer Carts Over Flower?

The shortest answer to this question is convenience. Carts are discreet, portable, and do not have the off-putting odors involved in smoking flowers. While they don’t allow you the freedom to vape on planes, in regular settings, carts save you the usual hassles of smoking a flower—rolling a joint, lighting it up, lingering weed smell, cleaning a grinder, etc.

Likewise, vape carts don’t have the same abrasive feeling in the throat that you may experience when smoking, offering a smoother experience. At the same time, you get to enjoy the same variety of strains and cannabinoids that you get from flowers. 

Final Answer: So, Are Carts Weed?

To summarize, carts are not flowers. However, they are derived from cannabis products, which, by definition, makes them classified as a “weed product.” In any case, it is vital to use carts responsibly. Do your due diligence before purchasing, and make sure you’re buying from reliable and regulated sources only. 

FAQs

To help you understand further, we will answer a few frequently asked questions to end this article.