A Comparison of Weed Cart Purchases vs. Flower, Pre-Rolls and Capsules

Cannabis vape cartridges, also known as weed carts, offer users a convenient, discreet, and fast-acting delivery method compared to other cannabis products. Here, we will cover the similarities and differences between weed carts, flower, pre-rolls, and capsules.

What Is a Weed Cart?

A marijuana vape cartridge has a 510 thread for compatible vape batteries. It contains highly refined cannabis oil, usually in 0.5 or 1-gram options, and thinning agents, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or botanical terpenes, to create a consistency ideal for vaping.

Weed cartridges can contain cannabis oil with different concentrations of terpenes and cannabinoids. Distillate carts have a cannabis oil with 90%+ of a single cannabinoid, while live resin carts contain a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes. Weed carts can be made using solventless or solvent-based extractions.

Weed Cart vs. Flower

Cannabis vape carts are made from cannabis flower through an extraction process that targets and isolates the cannabinoids and terpenes to create a high-potency extract. Cannabis flower is produced during the flowering stage of the female plant, which is ready for harvest when most of its trichome glands have turned an amber color.

Smoking flower and vaping weed carts deliver fast-acting effects within minutes, and effects can last two to three hours. However, weed carts have a higher potency than flower, which can contain anywhere from 15 to 30% THC. Cannabis vape cartridges can contain 60% to 99% THC, so tread carefully. Avoid the high with CBD flower or CBD vape carts.

Flower offers greater versatility because it can be smoked in a bong or pipe or vaped in a vaporizer as is, or be made into various infusions, including edibles, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, and cannabis oil for vapes. There’s also a more expansive selection of flower strains than types of cannabis cartridges. 

Cannabis weed carts are screwed into a suitable vape battery. Some vape batteries may offer temperature control, while others may only have one temperature. Since the oil is vaporized and not burned, it can retain more of its aroma and flavor. Terpenes are responsible for the plant’s smell and can be destroyed when smoked because of the high temperatures.

Cannabis cartridges do not produce harsh smoke from burning the plant. Weed vapor is unlike pungent, thick, or large smoke clouds when smoking a bowl or joint. Cartridges can be an alternative for those who don’t want to inhale thick smoke.

Weed Cart vs. Preroll

Cannabis vape carts and pre-rolls offer convenience, quick-acting effects, and portability. Prerolls are made using ground flower and come in various sizes, from mini ones to king-size ones for large groups. Preroll papers can be made from organic hemp, rice, palm leaf, refined white, and unrefined brown paper.

Prerolls are designed to be smoked, delivering effects within minutes that can last for a few hours. Weed carts don’t have the smell or smoke and deliver a similar onset and duration of effects at a higher potency. An alternative to buying prerolls is making your own with affordable “shake” and some rolling papers.

Weed Cart vs. Capsules

Cannabis capsules are a type of edible product. Compared to weed carts, capsules take longer to take effect since they have to go through the digestive system. It can take 1-2 hours to feel the effects, but the effects can last up to 8 hours. Weed cart effects are nearly instantaneous and last 2-3 hours.

Cannabis capsules are a zero-calorie alternative to sugary edible treats. They also contain a precise amount of milligrams, making them easier to dose than and easy to dose than most weed carts. Cannabis cartridge dosages depend on how long you inhale and the vaping temperatures.

Capsules and weed carts are more discreet compared to flower or preroll products. However, capsules are even more inconspicuous than cartridges because they do not produce smoke or smell. Capsules are ideal for those that do not want to inhale smoke or vapor.

Which Cannabis Product Is Right for Me?

It all depends on your specific needs and lifestyles. In many cases, most of these products provide utility, depending on the occasion. 

• Weed cart: Cannabis vape carts are discreet, portable, high-potency products that can deliver fast-acting effects. However, they can contain harmful additives and contaminants, especially if purchased from an illicit source. 
• Flower: You'll find more variety of strains with flower than in other products. Flowers offer a full-spectrum experience and fast onset of effects. However, you'll need some smoking or vaping paraphernalia, which are not as discreet as other methods and hard to dose.
• Capsules: Capsules are a smokeless alternative that offers a precise dose and long-lasting effects. However, the effects can take longer to kick than other methods. Capsules have a higher risk of overconsumption if you take too many too soon. 
• Preroll: Prerolls are a convenient way to try new strains and enjoy the whole-plant effects of cannabis. On the other hand, prerolls can burn unevenly, and the smoke can draw unwanted attention.

Learn How to Make and Use Cannabis Products at CTU

Want to learn more about safely and effectively using cannabis products? Enroll in Cannabis Training University’s Master of Cannabis certification program. We're here to help you become a better cannabis user, find a job in the industry, or start a business.