Good vs Bad Vapes: How to Tell the Difference

In the saturated vape market, where numerous brands and devices vie for attention, it can be challenging to discern the crucial factors that distinguish between options. Most brands have persuasive marketing strategies that claim to be the best, but how can you determine who is honest and which aspects truly matter?

When considering the variables, it’s important to assess both the fundamental qualities of good versus bad inputs and hardware, as well as the practices and ethics of the companies selling vape products.

As a company dedicated to knowledge and providing education to our customers and clients, we possess a deep understanding of these nuances that we are eager to share. Let’s delve into a brief overview of the critical variables so that you can make informed purchases, whether you are a business or a consumer of these products.

THE HARDWARE

Let’s start with the hardware which has many important variables to explore including the internal components ents and testing impacting safety and quality. 

Ceramic coils offer distinct advantages over cotton wicks or metal coils. They excel in preserving the flavor of the vape liquid and have a longer lifespan, reducing the likelihood of residues seeping into the oil. When selecting hardware, it is safer to choose medical-grade components rather than opting for cheaper alternatives that use copper or nickel-plated materials, as these can potentially leech into the oil and pose health risks.

Emissions testing plays a critical role in ensuring the cleanliness of the consumed oil. While testing the hardware alone provides some level of assurance, it is crucial to examine the emissions produced when the oil is heated through the device. This comprehensive safety measure confirms that the vaporized oil is free from harmful substances, safeguarding the user’s well-being.

Batch IDs and serial numbers, typically located on the bottom of vape cartridges or disposable devices, serve as valuable indicators of a manufacturer’s commitment to quality control. The presence of these identification markings enables the manufacturer to track and recall any defective hardware batches promptly. Additionally, batch tracking demonstrates adherence to GMP (good manufacturing practices) standards, implying that the company follows proper protocols and quality assurance processes.

In addition to considering safety and reliability, universality and usability are important factors to evaluate. When purchasing a vape cartridge, ensure it is a universal 510 thread cartridge, compatible with the most commonly available batteries in the market. This compatibility ensures ease of use and versatility. For all-in-one or disposable devices, prioritize rechargeable options to mitigate the risk of the battery running out before consuming all the oil, allowing for a more satisfying vaping experience without interruptions.

THE INPUTS

With the inputs in the vape hardware, a few variables are significant and worth noting while others are less impactful, so we will review only the most important. You can have quality hardware, but if the input isn’t safe, then it doesn’t matter much. 

In our industry, there are two primary concerns to note: the safety of the compound when vaped at high temperatures and the cleanliness of the input material. Many compounds being sold in the open market as alt-cannabinoids are understudied and lack evidence to support their safety when consumed at high temperatures. Some compounds can be safe to consume, but when heated, they become dangerous. 

Moreover, some of these compounds should not be consumed in high amounts. One of the primary compounds under scrutiny and recently outlawed for production and sale is THCo. 

Others, including Delta 8, need further understanding, but since they can be found naturally in cannabis and hemp plants and are similar in structure to other safe compounds, there is less concern.

Next, let’s review the cleanliness of the material. Nearly all inputs used in products in the cannabis and hemp space use solvents and other materials that are fine for extracting the plant’s compounds but must be fully removed from the oil before going into any products, or else they would be dangerous to consume. 

To ensure this happens, batch testing every new batch of oil made is critical. Furthermore, ensuring that the laboratory where the oil is tested is testing for all the potentially dangerous compounds that could be present is essential. This seems obvious, but most labs do not test for all the things that can be used in the production of the different oils that make it into products, especially true with Delta 8.

THE COMPANY YOU SUPPORT

This section continues on the points made in the previous section and emphasizes the need for the company you are purchasing from and supporting to hold an ethos and standard to ensure these practices are followed.

When it comes to the safety of compounds used in these products, many companies have no qualms about selling anything a consumer is willing to buy without conducting any investigation to ensure the safety of the product they are selling. 

This is something we are founded on and driven by. We lost out on a lot of revenue opportunities by not selling THCo and other cannabinoid stews common in our industry, but we knew the compound was not safe enough to sell and decided never to launch. We would challenge consumers to consider if they want to support companies that readily sold this compound, as in the future, when crossroads come relating to their product safety, they have proven that profit takes precedence.

Secondly, let’s recap on the batch testing. Many companies do not batch test as we do, and of those that do, there are many that falsify their results to ensure consistent profit. When potency was the driving factor for product and input prices, many companies would use one round of higher testing material and use it for batch testing every time to show high potency and consistency. 

Additionally, many do not test with third-party labs and use their own in-house testing to ensure better test results. We test with ISO-certified labs and prioritize safety with all of our oils now and forever.

Finally, many do not ensure that the lab is testing for all of the compounds used in their manufacturing process, so they may show a clean test result, but only because the unsafe materials present weren’t even tested for.

IN SUMMARY

THE HARDWARE

• Ceramic coils offer superior flavor preservation and degrade less easily, reducing the chances of any residues seeping into the oil.
• Opting for medical-grade components is safer compared to cheaper hardware that employs copper or nickel-plated components, which can leech into the oil.
• Emissions testing verifies that the consumed oil is clean, ensuring comprehensive safety.
• Batch IDs and serial numbers on vape cartridges or disposable devices provide traceability and enable manufacturers to recall defective hardware. Batch tracking also indicates adherence to GMP standards, reflecting a commitment to quality practices.
• Consider universality and usability when purchasing vape cartridges, ensuring they are universal 510 thread cartridges compatible with common batteries. For all-in-one or disposable devices, prioritize rechargeable ones to avoid battery depletion before finishing the oil.

THE INPUTS

• Safety and cleanliness are essential concerns when it comes to vape hardware inputs.
• Some compounds sold as alt-cannabinoids lack evidence of safety when vaped at high temperatures. Heating certain compounds can make them dangerous, and some should not be consumed in large quantities. THCo, for example, is under scrutiny and recently outlawed for production and sale.
• Ensuring cleanliness requires batch testing every new batch of oil, and removing solvents and potentially dangerous compounds before going into products.
• Laboratory testing should encompass all the potentially harmful compounds used in the manufacturing process, which is often overlooked by many labs.

THE COMPANY YOU SUPPORT

• It is important to support companies that prioritize product safety and hold an ethos and standard that ensures these practices.
• Many companies sell products without investigating their safety, prioritizing profit over consumer well-being.
• At The Hemp Collect, we prioritize safety and quality over revenue. We challenge consumers to consider if they want to support companies that readily sell unsafe compounds.
• Batch testing is often neglected or falsified by other companies, while we test with ISO-certified labs to ensure safety and consistency.
• Some companies do not ensure all compounds used in their manufacturing process are tested, leading to incomplete test results.

CONCLUSION

All inputs and hardware used by The Hemp Collect for our brands, including Modern Herb Co, Blacksheep, and Hi-Lites, undergo rigorous review before being used in our product lines. We appreciate the support of customers who value ethics and quality over pricing. While we strive to remain affordable, we will never compromise the safety and quality of our brands.

Please share this knowledge to help improve consumer safety and elevate our industry as ethical stewards of plant medicine.