How do you tell if a vape cartridge is real?
If you have a vape cartridge that you suspect might be counterfeit, go to the manufacturer's website and compare your cartridge with legitimate products. There could be a serial number, QR code, or certain stylistic differences that will help you decipher whether you have a real cartridge.
How to avoid the counterfeit vape cartridge epidemic?
In legal states and provinces, the best way to thwart the counterfeit vape cartridge epidemic is to purchase products from reputable retailers or dispensaries. Unfortunately, this isn't a viable option for cannabis consumers living in areas where recreational cannabis is still illegal.
Is it safe to buy a fake vape cart?
People who reside in states where marijuana is illegal face more risk of buying fake vape carts as they don’t have access to legal dispensaries. If you’re lucky enough to live in a state where cannabis is legal, it’s safer to buy all your carts from legitimate dispensaries.
Do vape cartridges contain pesticides?
When consumed at concentrated levels, inhaled pesticides cause health problems. To ensure that vape cartridges don't contain hazardous pesticide level, it's important to purchase from reputable brands that disclose third-party test results and include screening for pesticides.
How can you tell if a cartridge is real?
Top 6 Ways to Identify Fake CartridgesPurchase from licensed vendors & trusted brands. ... Know your brands. ... Compare & confirm packaging details. ... Beware of fake copycats. ... Check the ingredients. ... Verify regulatory compliance.
How can you tell a fake vape?
How can you tell if a vape is real or fake?Notice if the vape emits any chemical smells. ... Confirm if the battery-life is congruent with the advertised battery-life outlined by the manufacturer. ... Check if your vaporizer has a serial number, and email the manufacturer to verify whether it is the real serial number.
How do I know if my vape cartridge is still good?
If the liquid is discolored or has turned brown, the cartridge should be thrown away. If the oil is thick, full of sludge, cloudy or you can see crystals growing from the sides, it is time to throw it away.
Do vape cartridges have serial numbers?
Each cartridge has three unique stamps engraved on the bottom of it. A CCELL logo or Jupiter, a K stamp and a serial number as well.
What does a fake cart taste like?
Any THC cartridge that has a burnt flavor, a metal aftertaste, or that makes you cringe is a good sign that the cartridge is counterfeit. These “off-flavors” should not be present and may indicate that it has contaminants or other additives that are causing a bad reaction when heated up into vapor.
What color should a cart be?
In most cases, the best color for cartridge oil is a transparent hue of light yellow or amber color, close to the shades of lemonade to honey. Some vape oils, particularly delta 8 THC cartridges, are as clear and colorless as water.
What happens when you smoke expired carts?
Technically, a vape cartridge will never spoil, but it won't taste very good anymore. It also probably won't produce any effects, so there's no real benefit to puffing on an expired product. However, if taste or aroma don't give it away, maybe the appearance will.
Do cartridges expire?
The shelf life for an original printer cartridge is 24 months and the shelf life for a compatible cartridge is 36 months. Over time, ink dries out and settles inside the cartridge, which can cause your printer to clog.
How long does a vape last in your lungs?
“In the first 20 minutes: your blood pressure and heart rate recover from the nicotine-induced spikes. After 12 hours: the carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal. After two weeks: your circulation and lung function begin to improve.
Is a cart fake if the bubble moves?
If the liquid moves very quickly, it is probably a fake. This is also the case if there is a bubble that moves to the top when you turn the cartridge upside down. In genuine cartridges, the bubble will remain still. Fourthly, if the vape cartridge seems incredibly cheap and too good to be true, it absolutely is!
How can you tell if distillate is pure?
The observation that the boiling point of a pure material does not change during the course of distillation is an important property of a pure material. The boiling point and boiling point range have been used as criteria in confirming both the identity and purity of a substance.
How can you tell fake friendly farm carts?
There are several variations, but they are easy to spot. All authentic friendly farms carts now available on the legal market have our name and font printed bottom to top vertically. The knockoffs have tried to match this but they always get the font wrong, if it doesn't match our IG font it ain't real.
What to do if your vape cartridge is counterfeit?
If you have a vape cartridge that you suspect might be counterfeit, go to the manufacturer's website and compare your cartridge with legitimate products.
How to tell if a vape oil is compatible with a cartridge?
Most vape oil producers will tell you which voltage is compatible with the selected cartridge. These devices come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Some vape pens have a button that activates the vape cartridge, while others are buttonless and only activated once the user takes a draw.
How does a cannabis atomizer work?
The atomizer is activated when contact is initiated with the battery, heating up the chamber and vaporizing the cannabis oil. The chamber of a vape cartridge is filled with a THC- or cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant concentrate, and some producers will reintroduce terpenes that had been removed from the distillation process.
What is a vape cartridge?
Vape cartridges include a mouthpiece, chamber, and heating element known as an atomizer. The chamber is filled with concentrated amounts of cannabinoids, usually either THC- or CBD-dominant, and terpenes. The atomizer is activated when contact is initiated with the battery, heating up the chamber and vaporizing the cannabis oil.
What is a vape pen?
Vape pens are designed to vaporize cannabis oils and distillates. A vape pen comprises two primary components: a battery and the vape cartridge. The battery consists of the bottom portion of the vape pen, providing power to the heating element, which vaporizes the cannabis oil contained inside the vape cartridge.
What is VG in vape?
Vegetable glycerin (VG): Added to vape liquids to help generate large vape clouds for the user. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has labeled these cutting agents as safe for human ingestion, questions remain about what happens when these compounds are inhaled.
What is leaking from e-cigarettes?
In a 2018 study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, researchers discovered that unsafe amounts of toxic metals, including lead, were leaking from the heating coils of e-cigarettes and seeping into the aerosol that was inhaled.
What to do if your vape cartridge is counterfeit?
If you have a vape cartridge that you suspect might be counterfeit, go to the manufacturer's website and compare your cartridge with legitimate products.
How to tell if a vape oil is compatible with a cartridge?
Most vape oil producers will tell you which voltage is compatible with the selected cartridge. These devices come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Some vape pens have a button that activates the vape cartridge, while others are buttonless and only activated once the user takes a draw.
What is a vape pen?
Vape pens are designed to vaporize cannabis oils and distillates. A vape pen comprises two primary components: a battery and the vape cartridge. The battery consists of the bottom portion of the vape pen, providing power to the heating element, which vaporizes the cannabis oil contained inside the vape cartridge.
What is the binding agent in vape cartridges?
Propylene glycol (PG): a binding agent that is added to cannabis vape cartridges because of its ability to foster even vape draws. Vegetable glycerin (VG): Added to vape liquids to help generate large vape clouds for the user.
Where are vape cartridges made?
A large portion of vape cartridge components are produced at metal foundries in China, many of which add small amounts of lead into brass and copper feedstocks to improve the malleability of metals. This includes the heating coil, which heats up the cannabis oil, potentially transferring toxic metals into the consumer's vapors.
How many people died from vaping in New York?
These vapes were identified by the New York State Department of Health as part of 34 cases of severe pulmonary illnesses in the state, among 380 confirmed and probable cases, with six patients dying, throughout the U.S. Health officials are looking into vitamin E acetate and its link to the illnesses.
What is leaking from e-cigarettes?
In a 2018 study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, researchers discovered that unsafe amounts of toxic metals, including lead, were leaking from the heating coils of e-cigarettes and seeping into the aerosol that was inhaled.
Are There Contaminants in Your Vape Cartridge and Pens?
The most prevalent problem on the illegal vape market are concentrate cartridges that contain high levels of pesticides. When consumed at concentrated levels, inhaled pesticides cause health problems.
How to Tell if Your Vape Cartridge is Legit or Counterfeit
Another consequence of the vape pen’s rising popularity is the steady stream of fake THC cartridges that have flooded the market. Some of the industry’s most recognizable brands, such as Connected Cannabis Co. , Heavy Hitters and Kingpen, have battled against counterfeit vape cartridges.
What to do if your vape cartridge is counterfeit?
If you have a vape cartridge that you suspect might be counterfeit, go to the manufacturer’s website and compare your cartridge with legitimate products.
What is a vape cartridge?
Vape cartridges include a mouthpiece, chamber, and heating element known as an atomizer. The chamber is filled with concentrated amounts of cannabinoids, usually either THC- or CBD-dominant, and terpenes. The atomizer is activated when contact is initiated with the battery, heating up the chamber and vaporizing the cannabis oil.
What is the binding agent in vape cartridges?
Propylene glycol (PG): a binding agent that is added to cannabis vape cartridges because of its ability to foster even vape draws. Vegetable glycerin (VG): Added to vape liquids to help generate large vape clouds for the user. Vitamin E acetate: A generally safe additive for food, but it’s been found in thickening agents in illicit THC cartridges ...
How does a vape atomizer work?
The atomizer is activated when contact is initiated with the battery, heating up the chamber and vaporizing the cannabis oil. Cannabis vape oils that fill vape cartridges are usually created through a process called distillation, which strips the cannabis molecules down to just the cannabinoids.
What is a vape pen?
Vape pens are designed to vaporize cannabis oils and distillates. A vape pen comprises two primary components: a battery and the vape cartridge. The battery consists of the bottom portion of the vape pen, providing power to the heating element, which vaporizes the cannabis oil contained inside the vape cartridge.
What is the cutting agent used in vape juice?
Common cutting agents that are sometimes infused with cannabis oil and e-cigarette vape juice include: Polyethylene glycol (PEG): a cutting agent used in vape liquids to keep the product evenly mixed.
What does a vape oil tell you?
Most vape oil producers will tell you which voltage is compatible with the selected cartridge. These devices come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. Some vape pens have a button that activates the vape cartridge, while others are buttonless and only activated once the user takes a draw. Vape cartridges include a mouthpiece, chamber, ...
Steer Clear of Black Market Cannabis Vape Cartridges
Is it more expensive to buy your goods from a licensed dispensary? Of course.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Fake Brand Packages
The cannabis black market encourages imposters. They swoop in and sell bootleg vape cartridges. Even if you’re shopping in a regulated market, there could be phony carts. This is why you should check the packaging of your products to ensure they’re legitimate.
Check the Ingredients
Vape carts can contain diluents. These can include propylene glycol, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, vegetable glycerin, and more.
Stick to the Brands You Trust
If you have brands you’ve been using for a while, stick with them. Experimenting with random vape pens is risky in an unregulated market.
Closing Thoughts
As you shop vape cartridges, keep these tips in mind. Don't make the mistake of purchasing your products from an unreputable seller. You could get sick.
Health Risks of Vape Cartridges
Generally, human lives and our environment are exposed to real dangers whenever adulterated and counterfeit products hit the supply chain. This is usually because of the harmful compounds and substandard materials they are made with.
Fake Cartridges and the Black Market
The black market is constantly flooded with fake carts and fake counterfeit vapes and the lack of regulation seems to worsen the situation. Funny enough, these counterfeit cartridges are designed and well packaged that most consumers would hardly be able to differentiate them from the authentic ones.
How to Make Sure You Get Real Stuff
The best way to ensure that you get the real stuff when buying vape cartridges is to be very cautious. Always look for pointers mentioned in this guide whenever you want to make a purchase. Most importantly, buying from the black market is not safe because you face a higher risk of getting fake vape cartridges.
