Vapes are discreet and easy to use, and they can deliver plant-powered relief nearly anywhere — no wonder their popularity is on the rise. If you’re curious about THC vapes, here’s a THC vape guide so you have everything you need to know before you shop.
Learn what THC vapes are
Vaporizers are self-contained devices that heat cannabis oil without direct flame, similar to when you put a lighter to your joint. When brought to the right temperature, the oil inside a vape cart releases the cannabinoids and terpenes in the vapor, which you inhale. The vaping experience is increasingly popular because it’s similar to smoking, but without the smell or mess.
There are a few kinds of THC vapes. Dry herb vaporizers are designed to vaporize flower, with some models built to vape concentrates as well. But when you think of vapes, you probably think of vape pens, the skinny cartridges that you attach to a battery and take along with you in your bag. This blog focuses on vape pens, which are the most common portable vaporizer.
You may hear THC vaping devices called vape pens, weed vapes, weed pens, or vaporizers. All of these terms are used interchangeably in the cannabis community. A tabletop, stationary vaporizer, though, is something else entirely that won’t be covered in this blog.
Vapes vs. flower and prerolls
The main difference between consuming vapes and lighting a joint or a bowl of flower is the type of heat used. Prerolls and flower consumed with a glass pice like a bong require lighters, a direct heat source, to convert the biomass of the plant into smoke. This also produces a telltale smoky smell that comes with lighting anything aflame.
Vaporizers use indirect heat to convert cannabis to vapor. In the case of vape pens, a battery heats a wick inside the cartridge
Vapes vs. concentrates
Vape pens are most often prefilled with oil, distillate, or live resin, which are kinds of cannabis concentrates. Concentrates like shatter, budder, badder, wax, or sugar cannot be used when vaping cannabis.
Some vape pens with pods are reusable and you can purchase new carts (sometimes called heads) to enjoy. You’ll also find disposable units, where the oil and the battery come together and they’re discarded after use.
THC vape pen options and how to choose
510 thread
A 510-thread vape comes in two parts: the base of the vape where the battery and controls are, and the vape cartridge itself, which is what you buy in a dispensary (although we sell batteries too!). The vape cart screws onto the base, and you’re off to the cannabis races.
The name “510 thread” comes from the connection of the battery and cartridge, as the connector has 10 threads spaced 5 millimeters apart. Any 510 cartridge, or “cart” for short, can be used with any 510 base, so you don’t have to stick to one brand as you vape weed more often.
510-thread vape pen batteries come at a few different price points. The least expensive ones just have an on/off button, while the more expensive ones have multiple temperature settings.
Pros:
- Easy to use: carts screw on and off
- Simple controls: set the temperature and press a button to hit the pen
- Variety: the universal thread means you can use any 510 carts from any brand
- Smooth, gentle hits
- Discreet and simple to enjoy
- A reusable, rechargeable base reduces single-use waste
Cons:
- Carts may leak or clog when kept in the wrong position or when it’s too cold outside
- Quality varies between brands
- Batteries must be regularly charged, cleaned, and maintained
Pod system
A vape pod system is similar to a 510 thread, but you’re locked into brand-specific vape carts. While this may seem like a disadvantage at first, some vapers prefer to stick with a single brand whose quality is traced and vetted. Airo vapes are an example of a popular pod system in New Jersey.
Some pod systems come with extra features that 510-thread batteries don’t offer. For example, the PAX Era (not yet available in New Jersey) offers app-controlled features that empower precise temperature control and session tracking.
Pros:
- Easy to use: pods snap on and off
- Simple controls: press a button to hit it
- Discreet and easy to hit
- Reusable, rechargeable base reduces single-use waste
Cons:
- Pods are not interchangeable between brands
- May not be able to access a wide variety of strains
- Batteries must be regularly charged, cleaned, and maintained
Disposable vapes
With disposable vapes, the cartridge is permanently attached to the base and the battery, and you throw out the entire pen once you’re done with it. These types of vapes are cheaper than reusable ones but can be expensive to purchase regularly. Disposable vapes are also called all-in-one (AIO) vapes.
Disposable vapes work best if you want to experiment with vaping or you need to buy something discreet to use quickly. If you want to vape regularly, it’s worth the investment to buy a rechargeable device.
Pros:
- Cheaper than 510 thread or pod vapes
- Good as a one-off purchase
- Ready to hit when you purchase – no charging needed
- Low maintenance – doesn’t need to be cleaned
Cons:
- Increases single-use waste
- Fewer options for flavors and strains
- Can be expensive to buy regularly, and often contains less extract than other vape types
What about dry herb vaping?
Dry herb vaping requires a different device altogether, because dry herb vaping uses flower and not extract. When using this type of vape, you load ground cannabis flower into the vape’s chamber to consume it. The compatible devices are known as dry herb vapes.
Some people say that dry herb vaping offers a more potent experience, meaning you can achieve your desired effects with a smaller amount of cannabis when compared to smoking a joint or a bowl. Dry herb vaping may also be less harsh on the lungs than using 510 thread or disposable vapes with standard vape oil.
Why do people choose vaping instead of other consumption types?
Vaping is a popular consumption method because it has the efficacy of smoking (the speed at which the effects kick in, under 20 minutes) but it doesn’t involve the smell of weed or smoke. There is no smell of combustion or scent of “joint fingers,” a lingering smell of weed and smoke on your hands from holding a joint.
Less prep work
A vape pen is always ready to go when you are! Just turn it on, allow it to heat up, and you’re good to go.
Less mess
You don’t have to roll a joint or pack a bowl. There’s no need to grind flower or worry about dropping a half-rolled joint and spilling flower everywhere. Vape carts are self-contained.
Less smell
Unlike joints and bowls, vape pens don’t produce the infamous “weed odor” that’s a dead giveaway of consumption. They’re much more inconspicuous, so you can dose whenever you need a boost without worrying about getting in trouble.
No smoke
No direct heat means no smoke, and no smoke means you’re not inhaling the byproducts of combustion such as toxins and carcinogens. If you enjoy the rapid onset of smoking but struggle with the smoke in your lungs, vaping may be a good substitute.
More concentrated
Vape carts contain a concentrated form of cannabis that’s more potent than flower. Vape carts can have anywhere between 70% to 95% THC, making them extremely potent. A little goes a long way, and a small hit off of a THC vape pen may deliver the same effects as a large bowl or a 0.5g preroll.
Lasts a long time
Because vapes have concentrated cannabis, you’ll need to hit a pen less frequently than you would flower or a joint. While an eighth of weed may only last a week, a 1g vape cartridge may last two or three weeks, depending on how often you hit it.
Easy to transport
Vape pens are easy to bring wherever you need them because they’re self-contained and don’t smell. Stick one in your purse or pocket, and no one will even know it’s there. Plus, you need only the vape — you can leave your lighter at home since every vape pen has a built-in heating element.
Fast acting
Vaping is a form of inhalation, which is the fastest way to get the benefits of cannabis. Inhalation tends to start working within minutes.
Strain-specific
Some vape carts are made with concentrate from individual strains, so you can find your favorites and enjoy tailored strain-specific effects.
8 of the best THC vape cart brands available in New Jersey
Fernway
Massachusetts’s best vape brand came to New Jersey in mid-2023 with a wide range of your favorite strains and sizes to fit any budget. Shop Lavender Dream, Mandarin Orange, Berry Haze, and more in .3g, .5g, 1g, and 2g cart sizes.
Shop Fernway vapes at Boone Town Provisions.
Airo
Known for innovative designs and smooth vape experience, this pod system is a fan favorite for a reason.
Shop Airo vape products at Boone Town Provisions.
Ozone
Singe-strain distillate meets deliciously infused terpenes at a great price — that’s what makes Ozone vapes a great option in New Jersey’s cannabis market. The brands 0.5g and 1g vape carts come in strains including Maui Wowie, Golden Pineapple, and the much-adored Blue Dream.
Check out Ozone vapes at Boone Town Provisions.
&Shine
A combination of high-potency distillate from popular strains like Pineapple Express, added terpenes and affordable prices make &Shine a great option for vape lovers on a budget.
Shop &Shine at Boone Town Provisions.
Cookies
This beloved West Coast brand offers a wide selection of vape carts with some of the best strain options available, including Tequila Sunrise, and Cereal Milk.
Shop vapes from Cookies at Boone Town Provisions.
Bloom
This brand’s sleek 1g all-in-one vapes are available in beloved strains such as Granddaddy Purple and Pineapple Express. Bloom’s fresh, solventless extraction process keeps nearly all of its cannabis’s terpenes intact for a ultra-flavorful experience.
Shop Bloom at Boone Town Provisions.
Jersey Smooth
With product names like Full Service Gas and Boardwalk Bliss, this brand knows exactly what life is like in the Garden State. Its vapes come directly from Ewing in Central Jersey and contain 80% to 90% THC content.
Shop Jersey Smooth at Boone Town Provisions.
Rythm
From vape carts infused with live rosin to 0.3g all-in-one vapes, Rythm has something for every vape lover. Its all-in-one vapes are on the more affordable side too.
Shop Rythm at Boone Town Provisions.
What is the best THC vape?
The best THC vape in New Jersey is the one that’s right for you. It might sound cheesy, but it’s true. Cannabis is so diverse, with so many strain options and extract types. What’s best for you may not be good for someone else, and vice versa. With a bit of trial and error, it won’t take you long to find the right THC vape fit for every mood.
What is the best THC disposable vape?
The best disposable THC vape is one that fits your budget and your strain preferences. Disposable vapes typically have fewer options for strains and flavors, so your choice may be driven by the available strains. Prices start at $35 for disposable vapes, so they’re budget-friendly to boot.
What is the strongest disposable weed vape sold at Boone Town?
While potency is not always the most important factor of a cannabis product, we understand that some folks value high THC content. Two standout choices with high THC contents at Boone Town include:
- Legend Comfort Creme Disposable 2g Vape: 88.76% THC
- &Shine Ghost Train Haze Disposable 1g Vape: 86.26% THC
What is the difference between a vape pen and a THC pen?
All THC pens are vape pens, but not all vape pens are THC pens.
A THC pen is a handheld vaporizer that contains THC concentrate. It can be distillate, live resin, sauce, or another kind of extract. While most vape pens contain THC, you may find that some vapes can contain solely CBD or another cannabinoid, although you won’t find those in a dispensary — that’s more common in a smoke shop.
Can you smell vape carts?
You can smell vape carts, but the scent is usually much less pronounced than smoking cannabis flower. Vape carts typically produce a more subtle aroma due to the nature of vaporization. Since nothing’s being set aflame, that telltale “burned” smell doesn’t hang around. The weed smell isn’t prominent from a vape pen, either. While it does smell like cannabis, it’s much less noticeable and pronounced than flower.
Are vape carts universal?
Not all vape carts are universal. The most common types are 510-threaded carts, which fit a wide range of batteries with a 510 connection. However, other carts may use proprietary connections or designs that only work with particular devices. Always check the compatibility of a vape cart with your battery or device to ensure proper fit and function.
Start your vape experience with Boone Town
Diving into the world of THC vapes can seem confusing, but Boone Town Provisions‘ knowledgeable budtenders are here to help. Plan to stop by our store on Myrtle Ave in Boonton — we’re open every day to meet all your vaping needs. Sign up for email updates to get the latest product drops, info, and more.
