They may look like shelf-stable pieces of technology, but cannabis vape cartridges contain volatile organic oils. We want you to get the most from your investment, so read along with our quick guide on these vital pieces of equipment, including a special focus on how to store vape cartridges!
Quick Start: What Are Vape Cartridges?
If you’re new to the world of cannabis, you may be unfamiliar with vaporizer pens, commonly known as “vapes.”
As you might guess, these devices deliver cannabis by vaporizing it. In this process, it isn’t actually burned. Instead, a disposable or rechargeable vape pen heats a potent cannabis extract to the precise temperature at which its volatile oils are released as a fine mist.
Compared with smoking cannabis flower, the mist from a vape is gentle, cool, and easy to inhale. For those of us who are sensitive to smoke of any kind, a vape pen is definitely the way to go. (And yes, you can get vaporizers for flower, too).
Some vape pens are made to be disposable, and others can be recharged using a standard smartphone charger or other means and reloaded with new cartridges. These allow you to swap out different strains at a moment’s notice, and they’re also a handy way to cut down on waste and carry a single pen instead of several! For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on these reusable pens and the cartridges they use.
How to Store Vape Cartridges: The Basics
Remembering that vape cartridges contain an all-natural product—in this case, cannabis extracted into oil—you’ll want to use the same precautions you would with any natural and perishable product. That means a few things:
- Avoid direct sunlight. Cannabis is a volatile product, and the ultraviolet light content present in sunlight will degrade the THC content of cannabis. And believe us when we say no one wants that to happen! Look for a closed box, jewelry case, or another dark place for your cartridges.
- Avoid heat. Like cannabis flower, vape cartridges are happiest around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which in most places in the United States is roughly “room temperature.” When it’s exposed to high heat, the cannabis oil in cartridges may darken or otherwise discolor and also impart a slightly off flavor (though the cannabis should still be safe to use). In extreme cases, heat can also cause cartridges to leak.
- Don’t fear the cold. Unlike fresh cannabis flower, cartridges are okay with cold temperatures. That said, they needn’t be stored in the freezer. Why? The extreme cold can cause moisture inside the cartridge to condense into water, which might cause functionality issues down the road.
How to Store Vape Cartridges: Keep It Safe
One major concern with all cannabis products is the possibility of their accidentally falling into the hands of children. As with all cannabis—most particularly edibles—be sure they’re kept out of reach of youngsters. Vapes are easy to use, and we wouldn’t want anyone under the legal age to ingest cannabis.
We suggest keeping your gear in a locked container or another safe place and educating minors on the dangers of unwittingly ingesting cannabis. We want you and everyone in your family to have access to the benefits of cannabis, but not before they’re legally able to do so.
Ready to stock up on some new vape cartridges now that you know how to store them? Find your local Have a Heart below!
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