By Luke Sumpter


Cannabis cartridges have introduced a new level of efficiency to the world of weed. Users can purchase these handy devices pre-filled, or even put together their own formulas at home without much hassle.

These devices are akin to the comparison between coffee pods and grinding up beans to make a cup of joe. They offer an instant high without the need to roll a joint, pack a bong, or load a vaporizer. Cartridges are highly portable, discreet, and versatile.

Although cannabis cartridges are still coming into their own in Europe, they are much more popular and easier to access across the pond. Cannabis users in legal states enjoy the luxury of purchasing pre-filled cartridges from licenced dispensaries, with an array of cannabinoid and terpene profiles to choose from.

Although less popular across Europe, cartridges are still accessible. Clubs and coffeeshops provide the experience, in both regulated and illegal regions.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about cannabis cartridges. Discover how they work, what they have to offer, and how to make your own in the comfort of your own home.

How To Use Weed Cartridges

Weed cartridges are one of the easiest ways to swiftly inhale cannabis phytochemicals. The method of using these devices varies depending on the type of cartridge and vape that you choose. Check out a few different options below.

  • Disposables

Disposable vape cartridges come fitted within a sleek and thin pen. Disposables are by far the most efficient and hassle-free way to consume cannabis oil and distillate—simply press the button and inhale. However, once their cartridges run dry, you’ll need to throw the pen away. Despite being wasteful in the eyes of some, disposables offer an instant high for those that don’t have the time to spare.

  • Reusable Pens

Reusable pens feature a refillable cartridge and rechargeable battery. These models are typically larger than disposables and often possess controls and LED displays that enable users to alter parameters. However, they are just as easy to use when it comes to taking a hit. Select the correct settings, hold down a single button, and inhale away.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Tips To Keep In Mind

Although easy to use, there are a few things to keep in mind when using weed cartridges to make sure everything goes as planned. These include:

  1. Know your device: Become familiar with how to turn your device on. In most cases, this involves tapping the single button five times to turn it on, and another five times to turn it off.
  2. Keep things vertical: Keep your pen upright during use and while setting it down to rest. Despite being well made, some vape pens are susceptible to leaking when tilted or laid horizontally. Don’t accidentally waste those cannabinoids!
  3. Secure your cartridges: Attaching a freshly filled cartridge to your pen means many enjoyable sessions await! Just make sure you attach them properly to avoid disaster.
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Why use cannabis cartridges? 

Discreet

Some might think that they have mastered the art of ninja smoking. Lighting it up inside your cupped hands or smoking it under the cover of darkness might work for a while, but the flame and the scent of the smoke will eventually get the attention of passersby. That’s not a problem when you’re using cartridges because of their low-profile nature.

Variation

If you’re tired of your usual strains, then what you need is a cannabis cartridge. There are a number of new varieties to try. It’s a wide world out there and you’ve got the freedom to choose, depending on your flavour-of-the-day and the state of legalization in your jurisdiction. Cartridges come in a variety of strains; and don’t worry if you’re new to it, they often come with user-friendly colour codes and markings.

Longevity

You might have been through this situation before where you get a huge whiff of your flower as soon as you open the bag. But that scent eventually degrades over time. For sure, no one wants to inhale a dried-out nug because that's as good as smoking nothing. To make things worse, you're not just losing the scent, but the taste and potency as well.

But then again, that’s not a problem with cartridges because these have concentrated fillings that are able to maintain flavour and potency for a much longer time. You also don’t lose valuable cannabis like when smoking buds that carbonise and crumble as you light up.

Cost-efficient

We all have to spend on something, right? Whether you’re buying a new pipe or a dab rig, it’s a given that you’re going to send some cash flying. However, you don’t need to spend much with cannabis cartridges and they contain a potent concentrate that lasts users longer than normal flower. Plus, reusable batteries can be purchased from around $10 to $20 dollars at most.

Different types of cannabis cartridge

Regardless of which type of cartridge design you opt for, what’s most critical is that you source products with a high-quality lab-tested concentrate. Even if your cartridge looks cool, it’s not going to feel cool if the oil is bunk.

  • Plastic wick

Plastic wick cartridges are some of the most affordable options on the market. Comprised of a plastic tank and wick system, these devices are best suited for concentrates with a lower viscosity. This is because the wick is not able to handle the thicker oils that some other products contain.
As a result, these cartridges are often not of the highest quality, and the lower-garde materials are known to impact the flavour of the vapour and overall ease of use. If you’re looking to try out a cartridge for the first time, these might be a good way to get your feet wet and experiment.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges
  • Pax pods

Pax Pods are next-gen cannabis cartridges, if only for rejecting the classic tubular design. However, they are still made of plastic and metal—the same as other standard cartridges. The atomiser, which is usually made from metal, is responsible for preserving more flavour.

These cartridges work with the Pax app to control temperature—something the brand has become known for. Those interested in innovative cartridges with a little swag may get a kick out of Pax Pods.

  • Glass and metal

Then there are the glass and metal cartridges that are considered the premium standard for cartridge designs. Unlike wick systems, these feature an atomiser made from varying materials. Unsurprisingly, these products are more expensive, but often more effective and cost-friendly in the long run. Another benefit of these cartridges is that they can handle varying viscosities of oil. You also don't have to worry about heating it up too much because glass and metal cartridges don't melt. The higher quality of materials results in a more developed and untainted flavour, although not all grades of metal are the same.

It’s still important to compare products for value and performance. Again, what’s most important is that the oil contained within is of a high-quality.

Vaporizers from Royal Queen Seeds
  • CBD Cartridges

CBD has taken the cannabis industry by storm. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid offers a relaxing and clear-headed experience without a psychoactive high. Users now have access to CBD-rich flowers and concentrates that saturate the system with the molecule. Now, CBD cartridges offer huge quantities in every hit.

CBD cartridges use either CBD CO2 oil or distillate. Both of these products are created in labs using state of the art equipment to extract CBD and synergistic terpenes from high-quality plant materials. These methods separate and collect these value phytochemicals while leaving behind fibre, waxes, and other impurities.

CBD cartridges offer high doses of CBD alongside customisable cocktails of terpenes that work to enhance its effects. Since cartridges are easy to use and far cleaner than smoking joints, they provide the best options for using CBD in the most holistic way possible.

Know What You’re Inhaling

It goes without saying that not all vape cartridges are made equal. The market offers a broad range of quality, from poorly regulated oils made in somebody’s basement, to high-grade distillate crafted under strict laboratory conditions.

 Contaminated batches pose health risks and provide an overall less pleasurable experience. Always purchase your cartridges from reputable outlets, and always read the label to identify the contents.

Here’s what to look out for on a cartridge label:

  • Cannabinoid percentages: Take a look at the exact levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. If you like blasting your mind into space every time you smoke, opt for a high-THC formula. If you like to stay grounded and functional, go for a blend high in CBD.
  • Terpene profile: Not only do terpenes provide a range of different flavours and smells, but they also interact with cannabinoids and alter the psychoactive experience. Check out the effects of different terpenes to find out which you prefer.
  • Ingredients to avoid: most vape oils feature thinning agents to allow them to vaporize better. However, some of these compounds are proven to degrade into potentially harmful chemicals. Although all thinning agents degrade at a certain temperature, some appear more harmful than others. For example, polyethylene glycol 400 (PG 400) produces much higher levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde when vaped.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

How To Make Your Own THC/CBD Oil Cartridges

Making your own weed cartridge oil takes more work, but offers a deep level of satisfaction in the long run. Learn this skill to easily make your own blends at home. There are numerous ways to craft your own oils—check out the easy and quick method below.

Vegetable Glycerin Extraction

Vegetable glycerin works well at pulling cannabinoids and other target phytochemicals away from plant matter. This particular method helps to save time and reduces the overall extraction by around two months.

For this method, you’ll need:

  • Cannabis flowers
  • Vegetable glycerin (VG)
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges
  • Vegetable oil
  • Medium Pyrex jar
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges
  • Large pot
  • Mason jar x 2
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges
  • Two thermometers
  • Fine mesh strainer
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges
  • Cheesecloth
  • Mixing stick
  • Rubber Spatula
An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Now you have all of your equipment at the ready, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Break up your cannabis flowers into small chunks and place them in the Pyrex jar. Then, pour in enough vegetable glycerin to saturate the buds, without overdoing it. Stir the mixture until the buds are covered with VG.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 2

Pour some vegetable oil into the large pot to a depth of 1-2 inches. Place a thermometer in the pot and heat the oil up to a consistent 104°C. Once it reaches a stable temperature, place the second thermometer into the Pyrex jar full of saturated buds. Then, place the weed-filled jar into the oil bath.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 3

Aim to keep the second thermometer at a stable temperature of 82°C for 45 minutes to allow the THCA and CBDA to diffuse into the VG. Stir the mixture frequently to distribute the trichomes and encourage an optimal extraction.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 4

After 45 minutes, remove the second jar from the oil bath and let it cool for five minutes. Next, suspend the strainer over your mason jar and separate the VG into the new jar. Use the spatula to compress the strained buds to force all of the extracted VG into the jar.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 5

Repeat the entire process two more times using the same buds and fresh VG to capture as much THCA and CBDA as possible. After completing the third round, you’ll need to refine your extracted VG. Attach several layers of cheesecloth over the second mason jar and pour your extract into the jar to remove any lingering pieces of debris.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 6

Now, you’ll need to decarb your extract to convert THCA and CBDA into THC and CBD. To do this, place the VG back into an oil bath hot enough to stabilise the VG at 104°C for a further 30 minutes.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Step 7

Allow your mixture to cool and place it back into a clean mason jar. Load up your cartridge and continue to top up from the mason jar as and when needed.

An Overview Of Cannabis Cartridges

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: