First, cannabis oil vaporizers became synonymous with consumption of cannabis concentrates in pop-culture. Then, pre-filled cartridges came along and introduced a bunch of advantages over traditional vaporizers, bringing more casual and experienced cannabis enthusiasts onboard. But the advancement of vaping didn’t stop there. Distillate in pre-filled cartridges is becoming the new, hot trendfor a reason, and its future is looking bright.
Advantages of Pre-Filled Cartridges
Pre-filled cartridges offer a number of advantages and it doesn’t seem like they will be nullified any time soon as they cover the entire spectrum of practicality.
They are easy to use, which in today’s day and age counts for a lot. Some of them don’t even require charging. (1)
One of their most prominent advantages is the lack of odor and noticeable smoke. People naturally love the idea of smoking anywhere they please in a discrete fashion.
Dosing is an aspect some may overlook but shouldn’t. Concentrates can be tricky even for experienced smokers, perhaps even more so as they might be led into a slippery sense of confidence. Pre-filled cartridges enable very accurate dosage with each inhalation that makes ingesting in excess a matter of choice rather than an innocent mistake. Thus, they are highly suitable for newcomers into the world of vaping.
Advantages of Distillate in Pre-Filled Cartridges
Distillates first appeared as a form of luxury on the pre-filled cartridges scene, but now, they seem to be more accessible to the average vaper, taking the throne from butane hash oil (BHO). BDS Analytics, a dispensary analytics firm, reported that distillate cartridges overtook BHO, becoming the fastest-growing cartridge filler. (2) As of last November, the monthly growth of distillate cartridges is outpacing BHO and CO2 by roughly $4 million.
This surge in popularity can be attributed to a number of factors.
First, distillate is considered to be better by some users, as simple as that. This fact can basically be found in distillate’s very definition – a refined BHO or CO2 oil. Whereas BHO or CO2 oil is roughly of 70 to 85% THC potency, distillates can reach 95%. Additionally, terpenes can be added back, including flavors that aren’t even from cannabis, making for a variety of tastes that can still be experienced without odor.
It almost sounds too good to be true, and there is a catch – it’s more expensive. However, there are strides in a positive direction even within the financial realm. Extractors who buy the source plant material at wholesale prices permits them to make a cheaper product of the same high-quality.
“We buy by the ton for our extraction purposes, so we’re able to get flower for about $600 a pound,” Chris Driessen, president of Organa Brands that is behind the O.penVape brand, explains. “Because of that, we’re able to charge $30 for some of our distillate cartridges.”
Room for Growth
Even with such rapid developments in the vaping niche which distillate pre-filled cartridges are born out of, the good news is the best is yet to come.
Companies will likely compete in pinning down the exact meeting point of quality cartridge materials, the right viscosity and complexion, and the perfect temperature. It is the intersection of those three factors where pre-filled cartridges with distillates can reach a pinnacle. Because distillates don’t contain any residual terpenes, they need to be cut with a thinning agent, adding extra variables to the equations, but they also mean extra possibilities for talented producers to harness.
References:
- https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/what-are-pre-filled-cannabis-oil-vape-cartridges
- http://www.westword.com/marijuana/distillate-pushing-out-butane-hash-oils-dominance-of-pre-filled-cartridges-9911324
- https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/the-past-present-and-future-of-cannabis-oil-vaporizer-cartridges
