Vape cartridges are pretty easy to use, whether you’re using a cart containing HHC, THC-O, CBD, or even nicotine e-liquid. The most popular type of cartridge-compatible vape device is a 510-style cartridge, otherwise known as the vape “battery.” These devices are typically rechargeable, and to use them, all you do is clip or screw in the cartridge, hold down the button, and inhale.
This article discusses the differences between several different “alternative cannabinoid” cartridges, including HHC cartridges, THC-O cartridges, delta-8, and more. The world surrounding the hemp landscape is rapidly changing, and it can be tough to keep up with the seemingly daily evolution.
The Basics of Hemp-Derived Alternative Cannabinoids
You’re likely aware that back in 2018, hemp was declared a legal plant in the USA. This declaration came in the form of an updated version of the U.S. Farm Bill, which permits hemp under the Hemp Farming Act. After the Bill was passed, customers saw (unsurprisingly) a massive uptick in the use, sale, and popularity of CBD products. CBD is of course made from hemp, and since hemp is now legal in the USA, companies are marketing and selling CBD products at an unprecedented rate.
Of course, like any popular e-commerce market, the CBD market became increasingly saturated in the years following the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. While products like CBD oils and CBD gummies are still popular, there is more competition than ever before to sell products and turn a profit. As such, manufacturers are constantly trying to push the envelope in the form of new, progressive products made from legal hemp extract.
Some of these products include HHC, THC-O, and delta-8. Without delving too deeply into the chemistry behind the manufacturing process, these compounds are essentially synthetic cannabinoids that are produced in a chemistry lab, using raw hemp extract (usually CBD) as the source material. HHC, THC-O, and delta-8 all share virtually an identical chemical structure with THC, which is of course the compound in cannabis that produces a mind-altering high. In the simplest of terms, companies are taking legal CBD from hemp, changing the chemical structure of the CBD into different types of cannabinoids, and producing products – “legally” – that produce mind-altering effects similar to THC.
The Products You Should Know About
We put the word legally in quotation marks above because the explicit legal nature of products like HHC vapes, THC-O vapes, and delta-8 is still up for debate. Manufacturers argue that, since the products are made and sourced from hemp, a legal plant, the end product should be legal as well. Individual states are catching on to this loophole, however, and some states have already gone so far as to ban products such as HHC vape cartridges, delta-8, THC-O cartridges like these: https://purekana.com/products/thc-o-vape-cartridge-900mg/, and more.
So what are the differences between these types of products? Let’s take a quick look.
THC-O Cartridges
A THC-O cartridge is by far the most potent of the three different types of alternative, hemp-derived cannabinoids. This compound, produced by hydrogenating natural CBD and THC from hemp, contains a shifted hydrogen atom that just so slightly changes the structure of the compound compared to that of ‘regular’ THC. The result, according to many users that have tried THC-O vape carts, is a compound that produces effects up to three times stronger than standard cannabis-derived THC.
HHC Cartridges
HHC vape carts are similar to THC-O carts in the way they’re produced, but HHC is far less potent than THC-O. In fact, most people that use HHC vape cartridges claim the potency is about half that as regular THC. The effects of course vary from person to person, but the average experience seems to be one that is calming, relaxing, and subtle in nature compared to the highly potent effects of THC-O vape cartridges.
Delta-8
Some users say the effects of delta-8 are nearly the same as the effects produced by HHC vape carts. In other words, you might expect a mind-altering experience that is about half as potent as standard THC from cannabis. Again, however, the effects of any of these types of products can vary wildly from user to user. If you decide to try an HHC vape cart, a THC-O cart, or any other type of alternative cannabinoid product, do so with caution and carry out plenty of research to make sure the brand you’re buying from is trustworthy, reputable, and well-established (check out the link above for one of the more trustworthy brands currently selling THC-O vape cartridges online).
