Delta-8 THC has emerged as a popular alternative to Delta-9 THC, which is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Delta-8 THC is known for its more mild psychoactive effects and has gained popularity in the cannabis community. One popular way to consume Delta-8 THC is through vape cartridges. In this blog post, we will explore what these cannabis cartridges are, how Delta-8 THC is made, the importance of full panel COAs, what a real solventless cartridge is, and how you can find solventless vape cartridges online.
What is a Delta-8 Vape Cartridge?
Delta-8 THC is a minor cannabinoid that occurs naturally in cannabis plants. It is structurally similar to Delta-9 THC, but has a different chemical structure that makes it less potent in terms of a high feeling, as well as having less negative side effects compared to THC.
Delta-8 vape cartridges are pre-filled cartridges that contain Delta-8 THC and a variety of other cannabinoids or oils. A Delta-8 THC cart typically comes in 1 gram or 2 gram sizes and is designed to fit onto a 510 thread vape pen. The cartridges can be filled with just Delta-8 THC and a carrier oil. or they can also be filled with a blend of Delta-8 and other cannabis extracts such as terpenes and flavonoids. These added terpenes are used to create different flavor profiles and effects, similar to the way that cannabis strains are differentiated based on their unique chemical composition.
How is Delta-8 THC made?
Delta-8 THC is a relatively rare cannabinoid and occurs naturally in very low concentrations in cannabis plants. Therefore, the majority of Delta-8 THC products available in the market are produced using synthetic conversion methods. Synthetic conversion involves chemically modifying other cannabinoids such as CBD or Delta-9 THC to produce Delta-8 THC. This is typically done through a process known as isomerization, which involves rearranging the atomic structure of the starting material to create the desired product. Isomerization of Delta-9 THC involves using a strong acid to break down the molecular structure of the compound and then rebuilding it into Delta-8 THC. Isomerization of CBD involves using a combination of heat, pressure, and acid to convert the starting material into Delta-8 THC.
While synthetic conversion is a common method of producing Delta-8 THC, it has the potential to introduce contaminants or impurities into the final product. In particular, the use of acids or other chemical reagents in the conversion process can leave behind harmful solvents or chemicals that can be dangerous when inhaled. It is also worth noting that depending on the carrier oil being used in the vape, you have a potential to have additional solvents and other contaminants in the vape from how the carrier oil was processed. The same goes for any added terpenes or flavonoids, such as from higher quality live resin Delta-8 carts. The process of extracting these from the cannabis plant, and then reintroducing them into your vape cartridge also has a potential risk factor of introducing contaminants to your end product. In order to avoid these contaminants, it is important to choose products that have been thoroughly tested for purity and safety.
Is Delta-8 Safe to Vape?
The safety of vaping Delta-8 THC is a topic of ongoing debate and is being heavily researched within the cannabis industry. While Delta-8 THC itself is generally considered to be safe for consumption, there are concerns about the safety of Delta-8 vape cartridges — particularly those that are made using solvents.
Vaping already has a bad rap with nicotine vapes being made with all sorts of flavorings and additives. There is no knowledge of the fact if they are safe to smoke or not. It is vital that we don’t make the same mistakes in the cannabis industry. We know that Delta-8 is a form of naturally occurring THC (and on its own is safe to consume). However, it is the potential dangers of these additives and contaminants that pose the question of: is it safe to vape Delta-8. This is why it is important to only purchase Delta-8 vape cartridges from reputable and trusted manufacturers that provide full-panel certificates of analysis (COAs) to ensure purity and quality.
Delta-8 also has the potential to be addictive in the same way as gambling or shopping. So it is worth noting that if you consume Delta-8 THC frequently and feel like you are not able to stop, you may want to reach out to a helpline for addiction. If you are suffering from Delta-8 THC addiction and need help, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration free hotline at 1-800-662-HELP. This free government service offers assistance and advice when going through the symptoms and struggles of addiction.
The Influx of Cheap Delta-8 Cartridges
In the booming Delta-8 market, cheaply made cartridges and fakes are running rampant. This is especially true at gas stations and corner stores where it seems like everyone has at least one Delta-8 product for sale. Unfortunately, many manufacturers have gotten in on the cheap Delta-8 cartridge craze and are pushing out products that they claim to be the best and least expensive with no proof to back up the claims. These poorly made products have caused a backlash from state legislation in multiple states as consumers are getting mislabeled and poorly made products that have adverse effects from solvents in products to (or even completely inaccurate potency on product labeling).
The team at Ethereal Gold Dispensary is leading the way to show that — as a community — we can do better. All end products should require a full panel COA (Certificate of Analysis). We have lines of vape cartridges that still are incredibly affordable, while having the proper testing to show they are properly made and safe.
Why are Full Panel COAs so Important?
A full panel COA (Certificate of Analysis) is a report that provides detailed information about the contents of a product. This report typically includes information about the concentration of active compounds, the presence of contaminants or impurities, and other important data. In the context of these cartridges, a full panel COA is essential for ensuring the safety and quality of the product. This full panel COA on the end product will let you know if you truly have solventless carts.
The process of manufacturing cartridges can involve multiple steps — each of which has the potential to introduce contaminants or impurities into the final product. As we mentioned, the use of chemical reagents in the synthetic conversion process can leave behind harmful solvents or chemicals that can be dangerous when inhaled. Similarly, the addition of terpenes or other flavorings to the cartridge can introduce contaminants that can be harmful to the user.
A full panel COA provides a detailed analysis of the product and can help identify any potential contaminants or impurities. This information is critical for ensuring that the product is safe for consumption, and that it meets the standards set by the industry. The manufacturing process of Delta-8 THC is a delicate process that requires precision and expertise to produce a high-quality product. Unfortunately, some manufacturers may cut corners and use low-quality starting materials, which can result in a lower quality end product that contains harmful contaminants. These contaminants can include heavy metals, residual solvents, and pesticides — all of which can be harmful to your health if ingested.
The reasons why a manufacturer would want to skip over a full panel lab test are straightforward. They either know they have a product that won’t pass a full panel lab test so they go for the potency only route (because that is what is required of them legally). The other reason is that they don’t want to spend the extra money on getting a batch of product full-panel lab tested (this averages somewhere around $600 per batch). $600 is a rather small business cost to guarantee the safety of an entire batch of product, in our opinion.
So What are Real Solventless Carts?
Based on the information we have gone over, you now know the process that is used to both convert other cannabinoids into Delta-8 THC, as well reintroduce extra terpenes and flavonoids from a cannabis plant into a vape cartridge. You now know that there are many potential instances in manufacturing that can introduce solvents or other contaminants into your Delta-8 product.
That's why it's essential to choose a reputable and transparent manufacturer when purchasing Delta-8 THC products. A manufacturer that performs rigorous testing and provides full panel COAs for each batch can give you peace of mind knowing that you're consuming a safe and high-quality product.
The only real solventless carts are those with full panel COAs on each batch of end product. This is the only way a consumer can see if a vape cartridge is actually solventless.
How to Find Real Solventless Carts Online
At Ethereal Gold Dispensary, we believe in providing our customers with the highest quality cannabis products. We have curated a collection of only the best cannabis products available, and we require full panel lab testing on every batch of product that we sell to ensure that our products are free from harmful contaminants.
These full panel COAs for every batch of our product, show the exact levels of cannabinoids and terpenes in the product, as well as the absence of harmful contaminants. Our COAs are available for all of our products on our website, and we are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
In addition to providing high-quality and safe THC products, we also believe in providing our customers with an excellent customer experience. We offer fast and discreet shipping, and we're always available via live chat to help answer any questions you may have about our products or the Delta-8 THC experience.
Remember that while Delta-8 THC has become a popular alternative to traditional Delta-9 THC products — thanks to its milder psychoactive effects and legal status in many states — it's essential to choose a reputable and transparent manufacturer when purchasing Delta-8 THC products to ensure that you're consuming a safe and high-quality product.
At Ethereal Gold Dispensary, we're committed to providing our customers with the highest quality Delta-8 THC products, and we're always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you're new to Delta-8 THC or a seasoned pro, we have a wide selection of products to fit your needs and preferences. Thank you for choosing Ethereal Gold Dispensary for your cannabis needs!
FAQ
What are solventless carts?
A solventless cartridge can refer to two things. It refers to is a type of cannabis vape cartridge that is made without the use of solvents or chemicals. It also refers to a type of cartridge that does not contain solvents and can be proven with a full-panel COA. If referring to the one made without solvents or chemicals, a solventless cart is made using a mechanical process that involves pressing and extracting the essential oils from the cannabis plant. This process results in a pure and high-quality cannabis oil that is free from any residual solvents or chemicals. It is important to note this process is only viable for cannabinoids that are present in the plant and does not include any cartridge that requires synthetic conversion or the introduction of terpenes.
Are solventless carts better?
Solventless carts are generally considered to be better than traditional cartridges that use solvents in the extraction process. This is because solventless cartridges are made using a purely mechanical process that results in a pure and high-quality cannabis oil that is free from any residual solvents or chemicals. Additionally, solventless carts tend to have a more natural and authentic flavor profile, as the oils are not altered or compromised by solvents. It is however possible to also get solventless carts through an extraction process that uses solvents as these solvents can be removed — only a full panel COA would show that this process was completed successfully.
Are solventless carts safe?
Solventless carts are generally considered to be safer than traditional cartridges that use solvents in the extraction process. This is because solventless vape cartridges are made using a purely mechanical process that results in a pure and high-quality cannabis oil that is free from any residual solvents or chemicals. Solvent-based extractions can potentially leave behind harmful chemicals that could be harmful if ingested, whereas solventless extractions are typically much safer. A full panel COA on an end product shows if these solvents were properly removed during the manufacturing process.
What are solventless carts vs regular?
Solventless carts are vape cartridges that are made without the use of solvents or chemicals in the extraction process (or can be proven to not contain solvents if they were used in manufacturing). Instead, solventless cartridges are made using a purely mechanical process that involves pressing and extracting the essential oils from the cannabis plant. Regular vape cartridges, on the other hand, typically use solvents like butane or CO2 to extract the essential oils from the plant material. This can potentially leave behind residual solvents or chemicals that could be harmful if ingested.
Why is solventless so expensive?
Solventless cartridges (if referring to the ones created using a purely mechanical process) are generally more expensive than traditional cartridges that use solvents in the extraction process. This is because a solventless cart is made using a more time-consuming and labor-intensive process that involves pressing and extracting the oils from the cannabis plant without the use of solvents or chemicals. Additionally, these cartridges typically use higher-quality starting materials and are subject to more rigorous testing to ensure purity and quality. These factors contribute to the higher cost of these carts.
