Anthony Pellegrino
Whether you’re new to cannabis or searching for a way to increase your THC consumption, vape pens deliver the potency of a dab with the convenience of a pre roll.
But with hundreds of brands and thousands of pens to choose from, choosing the right device - or even knowing where to look - can be intimidating. So we rounded up the most common vaping questions Nugg Club members ask, plopped them down next to a list of our favorite brands, hit our own vape pen (for solidarity), then wrote this guide to help you get the most out of your next box.
Vape pens are a kind of portable vaporizer designed for inhaling aerosols. They were initially created to serve as e-cigarettes, with aerosols containing nicotine. However, in recent years, vape pens have been designed for using cannabis products, as well.
You will find that many vape pens come in a variety of styles. Some look like traditional cigarettes, while others more closely resemble writing pens or thumb drives.
Regardless of shape or style, the function of the vape pen is virtually the same. Typically, vape pens consist of batteries that connect to cartridges, pods, or chambers which hold the cannabis product. The cartridge, pod, or chamber is then heated by an atomizer to produce an aerosol vapor that contains cannabinoids (like THC or CBD), terpenes, and - depending on the product - other flavorings.
There are many benefits to consuming marijuana with a vape pen, especially compared to traditional smoking. Because of their potency and ease of use, vape pens primarily appeal to newer cannabis consumers, but vaping is a practical choice regardless of experience level.
While the benefits of using vape pens are clear, there are some drawbacks. Routinely using vape pens instead of smoking cannabis flower can be more expensive. There is also less of a variety of strains in vape cartridges compared to marijuana flower.
Now that you’ve completed Vaping 101, let’s look at a few of the most popular vape pens you can find right here on the Nugg Club wholesale market.
Vape
Sativa | .5g
Besito is a Los Angeles cannabis brand that was founded with the mission of creating a fun and uplifting marijuana high. Originally founded by marijuana pioneer Maggie Connors, Besito seeks to develop artisanally designed cannabis products while giving back to those communities most devastated by the War on Drugs. Besito states that they are committed to using their company to advance LGBTQ+ rights, criminal justice reform, and reparative justice for the cannabis industry. They do so by donating 1% of their profits to Equity First Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to seeking justice for those lives destroyed by the War on Drugs.
You will notice that the vapes include a hexagonal structure, meant to ensure your pen does not roll off the surfaces it is placed on.
Every Besito vape pen contains a half gram of 2:1 THC: CBD oil and comes in one of three natural flavors. Each flavor takes its inspiration from the strains used to make the THC oil. Be sure to check out our favorite: Grapefruit Sativa.
Disposable Vape
Hybrid | .5g | 69.51% THC
“Stick E” is an apt name for this vape pen, considering we use it so much it seems to stick to our hands! The disposable Stick E Biscotti vape is beloved for its body high and pleasant psychological effects. The THC oil is a mix of Gelato 25 and Sour Florida OG. As such, you can expect a strong sugar and diesel flavor profile from this hybrid.
The Stick E brand was first launched by two brothers in Southern California. Both brothers had first-hand experience in cannabis cultivation, extraction, and product design. As you can imagine, the brothers recognized the opportunity to create a vape pen product that could match up to the SoCal lifestyle they so adored. As such, authenticity is a core value for the Stick E brand. The Stick E vape is the perfect companion for visiting the museum or a pleasant stroll down the street.
All cannabis oil found in Stick E vapes is entirely pure. They contain no additives whatsoever. Not only that, Stick E vape pens are made using high-quality marijuana grown in the company's own facilities. Each vape pen is lab-tested to guarantee quality. Patients can rest easy knowing that their Stick E vape pens are some of the highest quality marijuana vapes on the market today.
Disposable Vape
Indica | .5g | 73.8% THC
If you are after a vape pen that can deliver the closest experience to smoking flower, then the Good Brands Northern Lights vape is the choice for you. Each Good Brands pen comes with a half gram of smoothly refined, small batch full-spectrum THC oil containing nothing but plant-derived cannabinoids and terpenes. The cannabis that Good Brands derives its oil from is always sustainably grown from its own gardens. These vape pens are made using some of the best Indica strains, like the iconic Northern Lights.
These disposable vapes provide the convenience of vaping marijuana with all the amazing qualities that come with smoking flower. All Good Brands full-spectrum cannabis oil is CO2 extracted from sun-nurtured fresh flower without any use of pesticides. Good Brands follows the extraction of their oil from soil to the cartridge, delivering a product that is pure, fresh, clean, and trusted.
Vape
Indica | .25g
The KOA Coconut vape pen is perfect for those days when you're kicking back at the beach. Another Indica-dominant product, each disposable vape pen comes pre-filled with a fresh quarter-gram of potent THC oil that is accompanied, as the name suggests, by delicious hints of coconut. Each vape comes fully charged and ready to use right out of the package.
KOA is the adorable sloth hanging from the branches (and the company mascot). The company believes we can learn a lot from the simple wants of the sloth. We don't need to tell you that life can be hectic. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to simply take care of ourselves, hang around, and find happiness in everyday moments. For many of us, enjoying a couple puffs from our vape pen helps us do just that.
Vape
Indica | .5g | 92.65% THC
The Lunar OG Gift Set is perfect for the holiday season or as a gift for your close cannabis colleague. Fly your loved ones to the moon with one of Kurvana's vape gift boxes. Each set comes in a vibrant red box that's already set for wrapping and is of a high enough quality to impress the pickiest of connoisseurs. The strain used in the vape pens, Lunar OG, is recognized for its capacity to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is also known for its efficacy in pain management, making the Lunar OG set the perfect gift for someone in need of a marijuana pick-me-up.
Vape
Hybrid | 1g | 92.92% THC
Another one of our favorite vape pens at Nugg Club is the Eureka Wedding Cake. This indica-dominant hybrid is a delectable treat that is perfect for relaxing both the body and mind. The taste is reminiscent of its name, with your first inhale bringing hints of sweet vanilla cream and fruit. Your mind will remain clear as your body slips into deep relaxation, making Eureka Wedding Cake our favorite nighttime pen, whether we’re watching the sun go down or decompressing after a long day.
Eureka, the company, was first started in 2011 as one of the first cannabis extractors in California. Many consider the company to be trailblazers in the cannabis vape space. As such, Eureka has become a gold standard of high-quality THC oil. Their extraction process is characterized by the manual use of machinery, and they’re known for being one of the first companies to make use of high potency broad-spectrum oil-free cutting agents. Their natural cannabis oil is always pesticide-free, solvent-free, and never cut or altered with MCT, PG, VG, or Vitamin E Acetate.
If you're interested in using a vape pen to consume THC or CBD, you'll need to purchase one (like those we list above) that is specifically designed to do so. A traditional e-cigarette is built for nicotine-containing e-liquid, nothing else. If you try to use your e-cigarette pen with THC or CBD products, chances are you will break the device.
When you have a vape pen built for THC or CBD products, using it is as easy as using a traditional e-cigarette. Depending on your device, either press a button to activate the heating element or simply inhale to activate the atomizer and draw in your THC/CBD vapor.
As long as you're purchasing your vape pens from reputable and legal dispensaries, you can generally trust the vape pen you are using. The contents of their cartridges will be clean and lab-tested, and the quality of the device is guaranteed by the manufacturer. You should also consult your device instructions to understand exactly how it should be used and stored.
Ultimately, besides the inhalation of the vapor, the most dangerous aspect of a vape pen would be improper care of the battery. There are rare cases where damaged batteries can cause small explosions or fires. So always be sure to take the proper precautions and care of your device. Only use the battery as it is intended, and take proper precautions as you would with any important electronic device.
Under heavy use, a marijuana vape pen could result in a sore or dry throat. This could have a few different causes. It could be something as simple as excessive vapor drying out your throat causing some soreness. Or you may have the temperature set too high, and the hot vapor can cause irritation. Alternatively, some vape cartridges use propylene glycol as an additive to add to the sensation in your throat, and a high concentration could be the cause of soreness.
You could also be getting a sore throat from taking dry hits. This means that you are inhaling hits when the vape cartridges are empty. Sometimes, it can still be possible to inhale some vapor from a spent cartridge. But this vapor may be from nothing but a burnt coil, which is not meant to be inhaled. If you've taken several dry hits, you’re more likely to feel discomfort in your throat.
If you're worried about or are struggling with frequent sore throats while using your vape pen, be sure to stay hydrated. If the problem worsens or persists leading to significant discomfort/distress, you may want to consider taking a break from your vape pen.
No matter how well made your vape pen may be, you may experience some problems with your device over time. The most common problem people report is that the vape is clogged, making it difficult to inhale the vapor or causing a slight leak. Another common problem is that the device blinks several times when the cartridge is inserted or when a draw is attempted, but the heating element doesn’t activate.
If something is wrong with your vape pen, follow the following troubleshooting tips:
Vape pens come in a wide range of prices, with most landing somewhere between $30 to $100. If you’re looking for the right product and aren’t sure where to start - or if you’re gift shopping - remember that you can buy several vape pens on Nugg Club's wholesale market for a discount of up to 40 - 60% off the retail price. And Nugg Club members can purchase many of our premium vape pens for only $20 as part of their subscription.
Nugg Club is a wholesale subscription club for monthly, top-shelf cannabis. Each Nugg Club box is personalized & delivered right to your door. In each monthly box, you’ll receive top brands like Kurvana, Alien Labs, Tradecraft Farms, Ember Valley, Friendly Farms, Stone Road, Cream of the Crop, and more!
So [Seinfeld voice] “What's the deal with Nugg Club?”
