Here are some other red flags that will help to differentiate a real THC cartridge from a fake one: If you can taste it, throw it out. 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.
How can you tell if a THC cartridge is real?
Simply compare the serial number on the package to the one on the product's website. If the numbers don’t match, the cartridge is fake. Fake THC cartridges often contain ingredients that have not been investigated and deemed as safe for human consumption.
How much THC is in a vape cartridge?
According to Miller, anything below 60% THC in a vape cartridge is likely cut with some other material. Exceptionally high numbers like 99.9% THC should also be approached with suspicion.
Are vape cartridges made with THC fake?
On the other hand, packages that have an extraordinarily high percentage of THC are also fake cartridges and should be treated as such. When in doubt, look for those vape cartridges from companies who conduct third party, independent testing on all of the ingredients that are going into their carts.
Can TSA Test for THC in a vape cartridge?
TSA doesn't care if your vape cartridge has THC. TSA is there to stop bad people from hurting good people flying in airplanes. No idea, I doubt they would have any kind of “testing” available. Here is what I do. I put the cartridge in one bag, I put my pen in another. I have not had any issues flying to date using this method.
How do I know if my vape has THC?
Any legal vape cart sold at a dispensary is required to have a label showing the total amount of THC. Some dispensaries also provide total terpenes, cannabinoids, as well as a statement letting consumers know that no Vitamin E acetate was found.
What color should THC cart be?
The oil in the cartridge should be as clear and viscous as when you bought it; uniformly light yellow to amber in color and fairly transparent. If the liquid is discolored or has turned brown, the cartridge should be thrown away.
Do fake carts have THC in them?
Today, experts are investigating vitamin E acetate as a possible cause for many vaping illnesses and deaths. Also, be aware that real vape carts typically contain THC levels of 70-90%. Anything lower than 60% has likely been cut with some type of agent, and anything above 99% would be considered suspect, too.
Do THC carts lose potency?
After their expiration date, carts will begin to lose both potency and flavor. The longer after they've expired, the more bitter and weak your cannabis experience.
What do fake carts 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 are fake carts laced with?
Vitamin E acetate is a lipid (oil) commonly found in cosmetics, but is used as a cutting agent in cartridges for its color and viscosity, according to the CDC. Although the chemical is considered safe in makeup, the combustion and inhalation of it coats pulmonary tissue and saturates macrophages (immune cells).
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 real?
High quality distillate should be fully translucent and not cloudy in any way. If you can look through your distillate and clearly see what's on the other side, then it's usually safe to say you are dealing with a product that has minimal lipids, waxes or impurities.
What does it mean when a THC cartridge is counterfeit?
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 to look for in THC?
Official THC products will have the following information: One of the biggest things to look for is a packaging icon. These icons are mandatory icons that the state requires each package to have printed on it. If the brand has a QR code printed on the package, use it for further proof.
Why is Vitamin E acetate bad for vaping?
Vitamin E acetate is currently being investigated as one of the prime reasons for vape causing illnesses and deaths. Another ingredient-based clue is if the cartridge contains anything less than 60% THC. Any package that contains less than 60% THC is most likely laced with other harmful ingredients which makes that cartridge harmful and fake.
What is the thickener in vape cartridges?
For example, a thickener called Vitamin E acetate is an ingredient that is predominantly found in fake products as it is cheaper to make, yet results in the same oil consistency that legit cartridges have. Vitamin E acetate is currently being investigated as one of the prime reasons for vape causing illnesses and deaths.
How much does a THC cartridge cost?
THC products are not particularly cheap, so if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate THC cartridges usually start at around $80 per cartridge, so any cartridge being sold that is significantly less than $80 is usually a huge red flag pointing towards counterfeit.
Is it safe to buy a THC cartridge online?
If you are purchasing a THC cartridge online, then make sure that the company you are buying from is verified. If the company is not a verified brand, then the cartridge has not been approved as a safe product. Be aware of pricing.
Is THC a fake?
It’s been all over the news, making headlines as a growing number of individuals have experienced illness and even death as a result of the THC cartridges that are designed to look legitimate, but are actually fake. These contaminated cartridges are generally bought online and sold for much cheaper than authentic THC cartridges.
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.
What is a THC cartridge?
That’s where the THC cartridge came in. A THC cartridge is a pre-filled, disposable container filled with your favorite strain of THC oil. Once the oil in the THC cartridge reaches a certain temperature, it vaporizes. You can then inhale to your heart’s content without worrying about the adverse effects of smoke in your lungs.
What is a vape pen?
Those MacGyvered electronic cigarettes caught on quickly and are now known as vape pens.
What is the best way to get marijuana into your system?
Sure, pills, dissolvable strips, tinctures, and creams are probably the easiest methods of getting marijuana into your system, but vaporizers and THC cartridges are, at the very least, close to the top of the list.
What does temperature reduction do to marijuana?
This temperature reduction preserves many of the active ingredients in marijuana — the stuff that gets you high and makes you feel good — that would otherwise be destroyed when you burn your cannabis. Think of it this way: a flame is pretty much only one temperature.
Is THC cartridge expensive?
When compared to other types of extracts, THC cartridges can be expensive. But you’re also paying for the convenience, portability, and discretion. That’s worth a few extra bucks, isn’t it?
Do CBD vaporizers burn?
As a result, you get more “bang for your buck” — or perhaps “cannabinoids for your cash” — because the THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and others don’t get burned away.
Can THC be changed into a gas?
But — and here’s the kicker — cannabinoids can be changed into a gas at much lower temperatures (around 284℉). All that extra heat is just destroying a large portion of the cannabinoids and terpenes you’re trying to get into your system. That’s where the THC vape pens come in.
How many people died from vaping in 2019?
Emily Earlenbaugh September 19, 2019. This year’s alarming wave of vaping-associated pulmonary injury has already made up to 530 people sick and killed as many as six people. If you use disposable vaporizer cartridges, how can you make sure that the one you’re puffing on is safe? This is a fake. Click to enlarge.
Can you detect diluents without a lab?
As Stower points out: “Most of these diluents are tasteless, odorless, and colorless, which makes them almost impossible to detect without lab analysis.”. Taste or smell alone often won’t alert you, but sometimes it will. If something smells or tastes wrong, don’t take the risk.
Can you use Leafly to find dispensaries?
This is already a noted problem in Los Angeles, where unlicensed shops are particularly prevalent. You can also use Leafly’s store finder to locate licensed dispensaries in your area. Leafly only lists licensed stores and dispensaries, while other sites may list illicit market shops.
Does CBD make you high?
CBD on the other hand does not make you high and is believed to work with other receptors in the body to produce an overall feeling of well-being. 1 . Even though several states allow medical marijuana that contains THC, it is still illegal under federal law.
Is THC more prevalent in cannabis?
Both CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis products. And even though they are both found in marijuana and hemp, THC is more prevalent in the marijuana plant than it is in the cannabis plant. THC also affects your body differently than CBD does. Even though it works like CBD ...
Is vaping safe?
But the issue is that vaping hasn't been around long enough and there isn't enough research to really determine whether or not it's safer. Recent research suggests that vaping THC oil, especially oil that contains vitamin E acetate, can be particularly harmful to your lungs. 3 Vitamin E acetate, which is regularly added to THC ...
Is it safe to vape THC oil?
Some people believe that vaping THC oil is safer than smoking because it doesn't involve inhaling smoke. But the issue is that vaping hasn't been around long enough and there isn't enough research to really determine whether ...
Is marijuana on the rise?
Still, people are experimenting with the drug more and more frequently by either smoking it, eating it, or vaping it. Marijuana use, and more specifically vaping THC oil, is on the rise according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In fact, in 2018, more than 11.8 million young adults had used marijuana in the last year.
Does THC make you feel high?
Even though it works like CBD to impact neurotransmitters in your brain, THC is the main psychoactive compound found in marijuana and is the substance that will make you feel "high.". Additionally, it's believed that in addition to giving you a euphoric feeling, THC also impacts pain, mood, and other feelings.
Is vaping THC oil harmful?
In fact, 40% of the respondents felt that marijuana was " not too" harmful. 8 . Ultimately, vaping THC oil can lead to a substance use disorder. In fact, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, between 9% and 30% of people who use marijuana develop some sort of substance use disorder. And, people who begin using marijuana ...
