Guide to Cannabis Vapes: Types, Extracts, & How to Vape Weed

Vaping is one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis today– and it’s easy to see why! Whether you're after smooth hits, better discretion, or precise dosing, a cannabis vape offers convenience without compromising potency or flavor. But if you’re new to vaping, or just curious about the different types of devices and extracts out there, it can be tough to know where to begin.

In this blog, I’ll break down the main types of weed vapes, the cannabis extracts they use, and helpful tips for how to vape weed safely and effectively. This is your Kind Copy guide to the evolving world of cannabis vape products.

How to vape weed? With a cannabis vape! Choose from pods, disposables, & 510-threaded cart vapes (pictured).

What Is a Cannabis Vape?

A cannabis vape is a device that heats cannabis flower or oil just enough to turn the active compounds—like THC, CBD, and terpenes—into vapor without burning the plant material. Unlike traditional smoking, which involves combustion, vaping preserves more of the delicate flavors and often produces fewer harsh byproducts.

There are two main categories of weed vapes:

1. Dry herb vapes – designed for ground cannabis flower

2. Concentrate vapes – designed for cannabis extracts like distillate, live resin, or rosin

Types of Weed Vapes

Disposable Vapes

Disposable weed vapes are prefilled, all-in-one devices that come ready to use right out of the box. They’re typically small, discreet, and require no charging or maintenance. Once the oil runs out or the battery dies, you simply toss the device.

These are popular with beginners and travelers looking for an easy, no-fuss option. They often contain THC distillate, but may also feature live resin, rosin, or other specialty extracts depending on the brand.

Popular nationwide disposable vape brands include:

• Stiiizy (available in CA, AZ, MI, and more)

• Select (widespread across the West and East Coasts)

• Jeeter (known for its flavorful live resin options)

510 Thread Cartridges

The 510-threaded cartridge vape is the most common cannabis vape format. These cartridges screw into a rechargeable battery (sold separately), allowing you to swap out carts as needed. They come in a wide range of extracts and potencies, giving users plenty of flexibility.

510 carts are great for people who like trying different strains or extract types. Just twist a new cartridge onto your battery, and you're good to go.

Brands offering 510 carts across multiple states include:

• Raw Garden (CA and expanding)

• Bloom (CA, NM, WA, and more)

• Rythm (found in IL, MA, MD, and others)

Pod vapes are designed to work with proprietary branded vape systems like Pax or Stiiizy.

Pod-Based Vape Systems

Some companies offer proprietary pod systems that pair with brand-specific batteries. These pods are similar to 510 cartridges but designed exclusively for that brand’s device.

Pod-based weed vapes are known for their sleek designs, consistent dosing, and unique hardware features—like temperature control and draw activation.

Examples include:

• PAX pods (used with PAX batteries)

• Stiiizy pods (compatible with Stiiizy devices)

  These systems typically offer extracts like distillate, live resin, and even solventless rosin depending on the brand and state availability.

Dab Pens / Concentrate Vaporizers

Dab pens, or wax pens, are refillable cannabis vape devices made for thicker extracts like wax, badder, shatter, or live resin. These devices often come with a chamber or coil that you load manually with concentrate.

This style of weed vape is popular with more experienced users who want the potency of dabbing with the portability of a vape. Some models even feature adjustable voltage, quartz coils, or ceramic chambers for enhanced flavor and vapor quality.

High-quality dab pen brands with national distribution include:

• Dr. Dabber

• Puffco Plus

• The Kind Pen

Types of Cannabis Extracts Found in Vapes

Understanding how to vape weed also means understanding what’s in your vape. Here are the most common types of cannabis extracts used in vape products:

THC Distillate

Distillate is a purified cannabis extract that contains high levels of THC and very few other cannabinoids or terpenes. It’s flavorless on its own, so it’s often infused with botanical or cannabis-derived terpenes for flavor.

Distillate is the most common vape oil and is used in many budget-friendly or beginner cannabis vape products.

For a robust, true-to-strain experience, choose dry herb vapes or vapes containing live resin or live resin extracts.

Live Resin

Live resin is made from fresh frozen cannabis flower, preserving more of the natural terpenes and flavors. It’s thicker, more flavorful, and often more expensive than distillate, but many users prefer it for its full-spectrum effects and aromatic richness.

Liquid Live Rosin

Rosin is a solventless extract created by pressing cured or fresh cannabis flower with heat and pressure. Liquid live rosin vapes are made by emulsifying rosin into a form that works in vape cartridges.

Because no solvents are used, rosin vapes are popular with cannabis connoisseurs seeking a more “clean” or “natural” experience. These are less common and typically found in higher-end or small-batch products.

CO2 Oil

This extract is made using carbon dioxide as a solvent, offering a middle ground between distillate and live resin in terms of flavor and cannabinoid retention. CO2 oil was more popular in the early days of vaping but is still found in some cartridges today.

High-Terpene Extracts

Some weed vape products use terp sauce or high-terpene extract (HTE) combined with THC or CBD. These offer bold flavor and are often blended with other concentrates to balance potency with taste.

How to Vape Weed Safely and Effectively

If you’re learning how to vape weed for the first time, start low and go slow. Because vaping can feel smoother than smoking, it’s easy to overdo it—especially with potent extracts.

Here are a few tips:

• Use low temperatures for better flavor and smoother hits

• Read labels carefully to understand what type of extract you’re inhaling

• Store cartridges upright to avoid clogging or leaking

• Keep your battery charged and clean for best performance

Remember that THC content and terpene profiles vary widely, even within the same product type. Whether you're vaping for stress relief, sleep support, or creative inspiration, choosing the right extract makes a big difference.

Want to learn how to vape weed? Visit a dispensary near you to find the right type of weed vape for your needs.

Which Cannabis Vape Is Right for You?

Whether you prefer the simplicity of disposables, the flexibility of 510 cartridges, or the full-spectrum power of a dab pen, there’s a cannabis vape out there for you. Understanding the different formats and extract types helps you make more informed choices– so your next session delivers the experience you’re looking for.

From flavor-packed live resin carts to sleek pod systems and solventless rosin vapes, today’s weed vape market is as diverse as it is innovative. The key to finding your ideal setup is knowing what you want from your high—and how to vape weed in a way that suits your lifestyle.

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FAQs About Cannabis Vapes

• What is a cannabis vape?

  A cannabis vape is a device that heats cannabis oil or flower to create vapor without burning it. This allows for smoother, cleaner inhalation compared to smoking.

• What’s the difference between a weed vape and smoking cannabis?

  Unlike smoking, a weed vape doesn’t involve combustion. This helps preserve terpenes and cannabinoids while reducing harsh smoke and the release of potentially harmful byproducts.

• What are the main types of cannabis vape devices?

  The main types include disposable vapes, 510 thread cartridges, pod systems, and dab pens. Each style of weed vape is designed for different user needs and extract types.

• How do I choose the right weed vape for me?

  Think about your lifestyle and preferences. Disposables are great for beginners, while 510 carts and pod systems offer more options. Dab pens are ideal for experienced users.

• What kind of extracts are used in cannabis vapes?

  Common extracts include THC distillate, live resin, rosin, CO2 oil, and high-terpene extracts. Each offers unique flavor, potency, and effects depending on how you like to vape weed.

• Are weed vapes legal everywhere?

  Weed vape legality depends on your location. In many U.S. states with legal cannabis markets, both medical and adult-use vapes are available through licensed dispensaries.

• How do I vape weed safely for the first time?

  Start with one or two small puffs at a low temperature. Always read the label and make sure you understand the THC content of your cannabis vape before using it.

• Can I use dry herb in a cannabis vape?

  Yes, dry herb vapes are designed for ground cannabis flower. They work differently from oil-based weed vapes and are often preferred by those who enjoy the natural plant.

• What’s the difference between live resin and distillate vapes?

  Live resin retains more terpenes and flavor for a full-spectrum experience, while distillate is purified THC often flavored with added terpenes. Both are common in cannabis vape products.

• What should I do if my weed vape gets clogged?

  Try warming the cartridge slightly and gently clearing the mouthpiece with a toothpick or cotton swab. Storing your vape upright can help prevent future clogs.