I respect the attempt to accurately create a report on vape cartridges, however I'd like to note a couple important inaccuracies. My source for this is myself -- I worked in the cannabis industry for about 4 years (worked in California for 2 years, then in Massachussetts for 2 years - up until about a year ago).<p>The first inaccuracy I noted was the $ amount per gram extract and the 10x markup remark (they REALLY don't make sense, where do you get these numbers?). Also related, in most states, a company would actually lose money if they were to process their flower for vape cartridges. Vape cartridges are often only worth the investment because the byproducts of plant trimming and packaging aren't sellable otherwise.<p>The second inaccuracy is in regards to cartridge filling; forgive me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you were talking directly to the people marketing the vape-cartridge filling machines? The reason I say this is because it's very difficult to machine-fill extract in carts due to how highly variable the viscosity can be from batch to batch (trim from different strains is enough to create the inconsistent viscosity). This makes it incredibly difficult to fill without the injectors getting clogged; a manual employee process is often needed. Personally, it sounds a lot like someone was trying to get some free advertising from you.<p>Outside of that, there were some minor issues or discrepencies, but I won't harp on them as the article does seem to make an honest effort at giving an unbiased report.
> Even though the intended use for these devices is a 2-5 second draw at no more than 2 draws before the device must be rested so as to not overheat, not every consumer uses the devices in this way or knows this technique.<p>> users should not be taking more than three draws per hour on average<p>--------<p>Even in fully legal store (up in canada) I have never seen either of those warnings.
I used to smoke regular weed but in recent years have totally converted over to using vape cartridges. The benefits are too great:<p>- No odor.<p>- More consistent dosing.<p>- More control over the exact CBD:THC ratio.<p>- Lower cost per dose.<p>- Less paraphernalia lying around/more discreet.<p>In fact, it's actually significantly reduced my intake. I now take 1-2 puffs of a 10:1 CBD:THC mixture before bed some nights of the week. I get the calm without paranoia or disorientation. If I want to "feel high", I can take a few extra puffs, or try the 5:1, or even 1:1. I don't even touch the "Max THC" stuff clocking in at 80% THC by weight anymore, whereas in a past life that would have been my go-to. It really changes things when a "bowl" of "sour skunk" is no longer the minimum unit of dosage.<p>However, I am very thankful I now live in a legal state. When grey market cartridges first started becoming available I did a lot of research into them. Definitely there is a greater risk smoking a black or grey market THC cart than smoking black or grey market marijuana (see all the vitamin E stuff). When they first came out, I smoked them with no ill effects. But I didn't even know the risk I was taking, and today I would not touch the stuff. See r/fakecartridges, r/cleancarts, for other people who actually care about how shady some of this stuff is.<p>Today I only buy cartridges from reputable brands from licensed dispensaries, that have lab reports FROM THE SAME BATCH included on the packaging, that test for above and beyond what is legally required. Is this confirmed to keep me safe...no. There is always a risk with untested and understudied products like this. However it's a lot different than grey market carts or vaping nicotine, where you might take 300 puffs/day, versus 1-2. I have to imagine if there are heavy metals, the former is resulting in far more concentrated doses of it. It's a risk I'm willing to take for something I enjoy and that I feel improves my life.<p>I honestly hope for even stricter regulation. The price per dose is still incredibly cheap even with the taxes and overhead from compliance. I would gladly pay $100/1G for something that lasts months and has a heavily scrutinized chain of custody, that's cheaper than a single nice dinner or a weekend or two of drinks.
I am amazed at the level of R&D & economies of scale with vaporizers.<p>The tech in these - high-power electronics, computer controlled heating profiles etc is quite sophisticated.<p>Societal evils aside, this could be a very precise drug-delivery system that can be cheaply mass-produced.
I have found that the industry for the production of extracts that go in these cartridges is very widespread, sometimes operating in plain site.<p>For example, I bought a very large (15 gallon) vacuum chamber system directly from a US-based vendor. My use-case was to off-gas various slurries and compounds I use for my hobbies, such as casting molten aluminum. Although it was not directly mentioned on their e-commerce site, after a few follow-up marketing emails, I quickly realized they were geared towards solutions for businesses performing high-yield CBD extraction processes.<p>Ignoring all the politics of the related industries, I thought it was pretty interesting to find such a business by accident and that anyone with the right circumstances could potentially perform these processes with equipment available to general consumers - though I imagine there may be some chemicals that require a permit at the necessary concentrations.
One of the more interesting innovations that I've seen in this kind of technology is atomizing it using a piezoelectric ultrasound emitter which vibrates it into a vapour instead of using any combustion at all.
These cartridges are sketchy as fuck; I don't trust any of them and I don't think anybody else should either. Do yourself a favor and buy a vape you can pack ground herb into.
The irony is not lost on my that at the same time on HN Homepage JUUL is being banned and benefits of THC Carts is being discussed. Exciting, and rather confusing times.
As a fan of industrial hemp I am bitter that recreational drug use has given hemp a bad reputation in so many countries. Legalization is a very recent development. 2018 was a turning point in the US.
As a daily THC/CBD user, these days I switched to an electronic dab rig to minimize unknowns involved in what I'm putting in my lungs. I currently use a Puffco peak pro as well as CO2 extracts. Highly recommend the move for anyone who doesn't trust what's in generic carts.
I know this isn’t Reddit. However, if absurdist or incredibly dry humor is your thing, Tim Heidecker (playing himself) hosts a movie review show that ends up using TCH (for Tom Cruise Heidecker, his late son) that gets 20/19 kids killed. There’s a 4.5 hour straight forward Trial special where Tim is on trial for their deaths (2nd degree).<p>The entire 4+ hour trial:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsn4UxSqr_M" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsn4UxSqr_M</a>
It is so boring at times, like a real trial. Amazing.<p>Day 1 clipped highlights:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWotb3gci0A" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWotb3gci0A</a><p>—<p>For the actual topic. Since being legalized in my state. I have only used the vape cartridges too.
Gotta love HN hand-wringing about THC. I've done stupid amounts of research on this. I own multiple dab rigs, multiple Volcanos, multiple DTv4, went through .... lots of carts during 2020, etc.<p>If you are looking to consume concentrate, the solution is quite easy - get an electronic dab rig, take baby dabs. It's the same thing as "vaping" from a cart, but there's no heavy metals, and at least in WA, the quality of raw concentrates is very high. Not as portable as a pen, but also I'm not really trying to be stoned all the time or in public anyway.