West Virginia is now offering a variety of medical marijuana products for certified cannabis cardholders in West Virginia. Among the products you’ll find at dispensaries will be vape cartridges and concentrates. While both products belong in the same family, how they’re used and their benefits can vary.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about vape cartridges vs concentrates, and which you should choose for your medicine!
What is a Medical Marijuana Concentrate?
Concentrate Extractions
Concentrates are just extracted compounds from the cannabis plant.
If you wanted to isolate a specific compound such as THC or CBD for example, you would remove all the other parts of the plant and try to get only THC and CBD molecules.
Concentrates are products that have done exactly that, and as a result they are products that contain very high amounts of cannabinoids like THC.
Different Types of Concentrates
There are many different types of concentrates, and they can come in all sorts of constitutions. Some are bright, sugary looking substances, and some are dark oily substances, and they can range from nearly any soft butter like appearance all the way to rock-like crystalline that looks like it belongs on a chemist’s desk.
Concentrates aren’t just differentiated by how they look; they’re also separated by how they are produced. There are several ways to produce concentrates, though you’ll find they usually fall into one of the following categories:
· BHO Concentrates – Made with Butane, compounds are extracted and the butane is refined out of the final product.
· C02 Extraction – Using C02, compounds are extracted without the need to refine any chemicals out of the process.
· Solventless Extraction – Solventless extractions such as Rosin use heated plates to press the oils out of the cannabis plant, leaving a whole-plant goo that is then vaporized for consumption.
What is a Vape Cartridge?
Vape Cartridge Pros and Cons
Vape cartridges are cannabis concentrates that have been transported into a container called a cell, which is capable of being installed onto an electronic device and vaporized.
Cannabis vape cartridges offer a lot of benefits for cannabis users, including extreme portability, on-demand medicating, little to no residual smell, and they can develop a potent dosage.
They do have their cons, and most of them surround the value for money and the extraction method that is used.
Vape cartridges are most commonly made using C02 extractions, which are one of the better extraction methods used to isolate cannabis compounds.
Unfortunately, C02 extraction does find itself lacking in terms of quality. There are better extraction methods for producing the best flavor, such as Live Resin and Live Rosin.
Vape Cartridges Offer Variety, But at a Price
Vape cartridges are highly regarded for their portability and ease of use, but vape cartridges are not known for being affordable compared to other cannabis products.
Vape cartridges can get very pricey, and considering the small quantity that is typically available in a single cartridge (0.5g – 1g), price can play a pretty big role in your choice to use them.
While they are prepackaged and ready to use out of the box by installing them into your device, many vape cartridges in West Virginia will be limited by their higher price and lower yield.
Should I Choose a Vape Cartridge or Concentrate?
Concentrates & Vape Cartridges Require Devices
Whether you choose a vape cartridge or traditional concentrate will ultimately be up to your budget, preferences, and the devices you have to use them with.
Vape cartridges do require a battery to install them on, there are many affordable options for medical marijuana patients to choose from, and having the added ability to use a small, portable cannabis device on-demand is a lifesaver for symptoms like chronic pain.
Likewise, concentrates also require a device to use them with, and since they don’t come pre-installed into a cartridge, patients will need a standalone device such as a dabbing rig or electronic rig to use them with.
Price of Concentrates Still Lower than Vape Cartridges
Rigs can range anywhere from fifty dollars to several hundred dollars and are differentiated by their quality and features. But although the initial cost of a rig may be a little higher, the typical cost of concentrates is significantly lower than vape cartridges, usually offering a higher yield too.
Often it is the case that you can find a gram of concentrate for the price of a half-gram cartridge, and users may prefer to go this route to save money long-term.
As an added benefit, you can also collect all of your concentrate, but usually you will be leaving some residual oil in your vape cartridge as the very last bit typically can’t be vaporized without burning the cotton inside the cell, so concentrates are usually more efficient.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Certification in West Virginia
Both vape cartridges and concentrates are available in West Virginia now, and qualified patients with medical marijuana certifications can legally purchase up to a 30-day supply of medical marijuana in the state.
Take the steps to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way!
Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to
medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the
stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and
compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.
Comments