Vape carts are recently trending and for all the wrong reasons. What began as a discrete, on-the-go and purified form of consuming THC, has become a potentially harmful practice. Even though a number of branded vape cart products like NUG’s new vape carts are 100% safe…and deliciously easy to elevate with still too.
So how can you ensure that the THC vape cart that you’re puffing on is safe for consumption? It’s all about that test, or what’s officially known as a certificate of analysis. Without even knowing what it’s being tested for, what’s safe and what’s not – it’s hard to decipher these analyses yourself. To continue your love of vape carts and their ease of use let’s dive into the world of testing vape carts and what the results really mean.
A rise in vape related illnesses has increased consumer awareness into the testing behind popular THC vape carts. While fake THC cartridges are just recently giving a bad rap to legit vape cart products, legalized State’s requirements for vape cart testing are nothing new. State’s like California are now upping the testing with consumers in mind.
California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control recently implemented a ‘phase 3’ of vape cart testing, that includes screening for heavy metals. This is in addition to ‘phase 2’ which tests vape carts for mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are poisons created by molds and fungi. By names alone, certainly nothing you want listed as ingredients in your purified form of THC.
What’s difficult about the new phase 3 of testing requirements, is its hindrance for levels of lead. While many vape cart THC oils are passing with flying colors, the carts designed to hold the precious juice are holding many back. The foreign-made metal carts or coils used by many illicit vape cart producers are typically the culprit. That’s because cadmium-containing silver solder is a method being used to bind different metals in cheap vape carts and pens in China.
Regardless, the State’s raising of rigorous testing has made brands safe-guard their manufacturing process to produce and pass testing with higher quality materials.
Speaking of materials…what gets turned into pure THC oil for vape cart consumption begins as cannabis flower. The pesticides or fungicides used to grow that flower can be a source for dirty testing too.
Most states including California allow for trace amounts of certain common pesticides or fungicides to healthily grow cannabis plants. Kept under the threshold of harmful quantities, safe for consumer use. Just like the organic craze for food, to ensure positive testing for a vape cart’s end product it’s best to start with clean organically grown beginnings, as NUG does with its’ gardens and flower.
For instance – a batch of illegal or illicit vape pens found in California recently, had over 5,475 times the legal limit for chlorfenapyr – a pesticide used for mosquito control, and 547 times the legal limit of bifenazate – a chemical used to kill mites. In addition to 362 times the legal limit for myclobutanil – a fungicide that transforms into hydrogen cyanide upon heating an inhaling.
The result of this investigation goes to show why clean material and the testing of vape cart products can be so important. Like NUG, many licensed storefronts are now fully transparent with testing results. Providing certificate of analysis for all vape cart products, and proving passing grades for the heightened requirements – and even those not yet required by the state.
In addition to testing for pesticides, molds, bacteria and heavy metals, there’s another rising question for tests due to the outbreak of vape-related illnesses. What sounds like a daily dose of nutrients should be avoided completely in THC vape carts – vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate is used by illicit vape cart producers as a filler, to cut the actual amount of cannabis used per cart.
Even though the test isn’t required by California or other legalized states yet, Vitamin E acetate is proving to be the cause of many vape-related illnesses. Why? Because upon heating and inhaling the additive, it can cause lipoid pneumonitis. Which until recently was a rare condition that is caused by particles of fat being consumed into the lungs. It’s believed that the Vitamin E further damages lungs by coating them in oil and causing inflammation.
With current laws, adding Vitamin E to vape carts isn’t illegal… it’s frowned upon by consumers who are looking to stay safe while conveniently vaping THC. To address the issue, many THC vape cart brands on the market today are going above and beyond to prove to consumers their products are Vitamin-E free. A test that many cannabis labs are now trying to adapt to and keep up with.
Due to the additional and rare form of testing, vape cart prices are rising too. Which isn’t a bad thing for consumers…who ultimately pay a higher price for safe vape cart materials, cleanly grown flower, and extra testing to assure your purchase of a non-harmful final product.
Overall, and regardless of newsworthy horror stories from illicit vape carts – vaping safely is 100% achievable for those who like to puff, puff, pass the purest form of THC. With the proper testing, and best practices taken by trusted brands like NUG – you’re sure to get the clean and convenient hits of a THC vape cart, without a risk in health. Check out NUG’s latest line of tested and tasty vape carts, available for purchase at a retail storefront near you.
