Hello, Pete here, your burnt-out #GenX slacker/stoner, here with another vaporizer review. Today, bear with me because the facts are sketchy. We have the Airvape Legacy Pro, a charmingly coy name on this unbelievably slicky-designed machine. Normally I’d post a routine video using this gorgeously designed device, but truly I feel unworthy of besmirching this holy interior with my dirty reject Iowa concentrate. This is a $269.00 unit, I’m not driving this Rolls Royce on any less than the fanciest occasions.

That is what I am deciding it’s for, is concentrate. The site also says it’s for herb, too, but it leans concentrate-y. I have photographic evidence, follow along below…

The Packaging is Out of This World!

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to exhume this time capsule from the tombs of ancient pharaohs in Egyptian sarcophagi. Rumor has it that space aliens visited ancient civilizations to assist them with advanced technology. We’ll see.

Behold! As I slide the ornate inner chamber from the exterior shell, revealing the mind-blowing black hole. This took awhile because the outer shell was snug. I pounded on it for 15 minutes just to slide it out. Are you ready for this?

THIS THING SPINS!

It makes trippy geometric whatchamacallit, like the Moiré pattern effect. Triiiiiiiiiippyyyyyyyy!!!

So trippy it made me forget what I was unboxing. Believe it or not, it gets better.

After another 15 minutes of frustrated nitpicking, I detected that this coffin flips open instead of sliding out. My effort was rewarded with yet… ANOTHER mystery box? I’m having flashbacks to that dumb Christmas prank where you open nested boxes forever until you get down to jewelry. There has to be gold at the end of the Indiana Jones booby-trap puzzle in the ancient dungeon of wonder!

“Surely,” cried Alice, clawing her way through the packaging that looks like it cost 3/4s of the sticker price alone, “There has to be an end to this somewhere.” After another 15 minutes of nitpicking the mystery magic interior, I managed to break it down to an actual unit snuggled into its foam rubber padding like a playboy on vacation in the UK. The actual Airvape Legacy Pro! The legends of Apollo were true! By now I should not have been surprised were Pinhead to make an appearance.

And look, there’s a QR code. I don’t use QR codes on packaging, because I’m not going to install an app on my phone and give up my social media history and subscribe to a newsletter and have to accept cookies and confirm my identity from my email. JUST TO READ A MANUAL.

You know what would look better right there where the QR code is on the box packaging? A MANUAL.

The Legacy Pro Looks Sharp

But anyway, I digress. It’s a vaporizer, how complicated can it be? We’re an hour in and still don’t know what it does.

So the Legacy Pro flips open like a 2000s cell phone, and the inside is just as mysterious as the packaging. The chamber there to the left end makes this another attempt at the bottom-loading vape design. And verily I say again, another QR code which they took the trouble to emblazon on the inside of the device door. Does this go to the same place as the other QR code? Is it separate? Is this the one with the manual, or is it going to be some dumb product safety warning telling me not to stare into the laser with my remaining eye or whatever?

Drafting this model is said to be one of those blindfold torture tests they give design students before they graduate from Berkeley. So we have a channel for air to get to the mouthpiece, but what is taking up the huge bulky space inside the yonder chamber door?

QUOTH THE RAVEN: Nevermore! (shoutout to my Poe-obsessed colleague and distinguished voice talent).

Why yes, that is a lithium-ion 3.7V battery, running at 3200mAh. Right next to the mouthpiece. Bonus buck: this futuristic glass tube, which is conveying vapor in a way that somehow connects with the mouthpiece in there.

And as you can see here, if you got bored by now, you can build a cool tower with all the elaborate and baroque packaging. I mean, good thing we’re not having any planetary crisis over packaging resources or anything. You should really consider this more of a presentation that a vaporizer. This device is designed for runway models to pose with. We do have the obligatory metal hockey puck that fits right in the oven for you to dab things on. I’m sure I’d enjoy seeing if it works a couple times without becoming a burnt-on, gooey mess, but now that I’ve shared this special unboxing experience with you, I’m tired and in more of a quartz banger type mood myself.

Remember, we still have the inner-inner-inner mystery box to go!

The mystery box contains:

Hey, that’s my line! Anyway, that’s the contents. At least it wasn’t another QR code. Inscrutably, this proves that the packaging company (the real star of this show, come on, spinning Moiré design!) had the wits about them to list text on the box, yet chose only to print out the sole information we could discover on our own.

Anyway, we confirm a charger cord at last, for that gigantic replaceable battery. And thanks for the Qtips! I don’t know how many times I can’t get into a drugstore to pick up the family-size 1000 pack. One more bit to show you, this nail-file-build dab tool, which slides into place on the battery hatch cover like a sheathed sword.

There, this is sword and shield of a little mouse in a fantasy medieval world where he fights faeryland crime in a jaunty green Muskateers get-up. Because I said so.

The Airvape Legacy Pro (Apollo) is Too Pretty to Use

The unit weighs in the hand like a brick. It is ornately layered in designer materials. The website (presumably al the QR codes nestle in its nether regions) emphasizes the pretty, pretty, PRETTY design! Like OMG this is Barbie’s dream-house vape! They were so busy with making this an artistic masterpiece, that one suspects there was a shortage in the functionality planning. Absolutely nothing I’ve seen makes any sense, and I don’t think it was intended to.

We have reached a point beyond vaping with the Airvape Legacy Pro. This beautiful specimen belongs on your shelf, under a glass case to preserve the luster of the mint-standard metal interior. Under a thick layer of cobwebs, preserved for all eternity for future trade on Antiques Roadshow, where this legendary Delorean will assure itself a parking place… in the Twilight Zone!

Here’s the site. Let me know where the QR codes go!

THCO Banned by DEA: Acetates Produce Harmful Ketene When Vaped

Penguin Pete

February 20, 2023

I read the news today… and ouch! THCO (THC acetate ester) has been reclassified by the US DEA as a Schedule 1 substance, and the DEA points out that THCO does not occur naturally in the cannabis / hemp plant – hence not Farm-Bill-legal. On top of this and on deeper digging, we uncover research which suggests that all cannabis acetates – or possibly any acetate – produces harmful chemicals when vaped.

Is THCO Harmful?

According to the Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, OR, vaporized THCO (both delta 8 THCO and delta 9 THCO) produces ketene, a known harmful substance described as a “poison gas.” THCO has “a similar substructure to vitamin E acetate” and vitamin E acetate “has been shown to form the poison gas ketene during vaping.”

In addition, the same study was conducted on two other acetate forms of alternative cannabinoids, CBN acetate and CBD acetate. All of the acetate cannabinoids were shown to produce ketene.

The mazmat on ketene:

> “Inhaling Ketene can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.”

This looks to be similar to the original EVALI lung damage epidemic among cannabis cartridge vape users back in 2019. That epidemic was caused by vitamin E acetate, an additive originally used to make vape oil thicker. Thus far, we do not know if we are going to see a repeat of that scenario with THCO – hopefully not! – but vape-related lung injury cases continue to this day and it may turn out that acetates in general are the culprit or a culprit.

I Have Vaped THCO; Am I Gonna Die?

You are probably fine! As long as you are not vaping an acetate currently. Ketene is an irritant to the lungs and may cause a medical emergency on the spot. The ketene hazmat states that no tests have been conducted on the long-term effects of ketene exposure, specifically “Ketene has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals” and “Ketene has not been tested for its ability to affect reproduction.”

HOWEVER: If you have vaped THCO or another acetate cannabis product and are experiencing symptoms, consult a doctor right away. Don’t put your life in our hands; we’re just a bunch of blogging stoners.

Since THCO and other cannabinoid acetates have only been on the market for a short time (about a year-ish), and not that widely popular to begin with, it might be possible that no one has had long-term enough exposure to make a difference.

Does the Danger of Vaping THCO Apply To Other Forms of Consumption?

As far as we know, no. Once again, vaporization of cannabinoids is itself a relatively new practice, and different things happen chemically when we apply hundreds of degrees of temperature to it. So as far as we know now, THCO might still be safe in edible products.

What About THCO is Different From Other Alternate Cannabinoids?

THCO is 100% synthesized; NO trace of THCO is found in the natural cannabis plant. Thus, in the first place, it is not covered by the farm bill. THCO is a synthesized acetate. While it is true that other cannabinoids can be synthesized as well, the important distinction is that all of CBD, HHC, delta 8 & 9 THC, CBN, etc. are all found in the cannabis plant naturally, albeit in smaller quantities.

Rod Kight on Cannabis Business Law breaks this down beautifully – and what a rare treat to find a legal professional so well-versed in cannabis chemistry! Kight is the person who reached out to the DEA to inquire about its legal standing in the first place.

Are the Other Cannabinoids Still OK?

As long as they naturally occur in the hemp plant. Hemp has been cultivated and enjoyed for practically all of human history, and so far we have zero fatalities attributed to any natural cannabinoid. However, the possible synthetic chemicals that are cannabinoid mimics are nearly endless, and quite a few of them are known to be hazardous.

How Do I Be Sure That I Am Vaping Safely?

First, always get your product from a licensed cannabis dispensary, since street plugs filling cartridges might use anything and you have no guarantee of safety.

Second, since all acetates in the OR study were found to produce ketene, we advise THROWING OUT all acetate cannabinoid products immediately. Furthermore, we would advise those in the industry to be stringent in screening cannabinoid acetates out of the vape market entirely. There are dozens of harmless natural cannabinoids to enjoy – why take a chance?

Third, give a glance at the lab test sheets for all cannabis products going forward, make sure there’s no acetates in there. I have no idea how possible it is for THCO or other acetates to find their way into a vape cartridge accidentally, but that’s one of the reasons why we test these things.

What Do Cannabis YouTubers Have To Say About THCO?

Cewpins:

Strain Show:

Conclusions

While the capacity for acetates to produce ketene when vaped has been known for a while, the big news that has changed is that the US DEA has classified them specifically as Schedule 1 controlled substances; not necessarily because of the health risks, but simply because synthesized, non-natural cannabinoids are not covered by the Farm Bill.

Readers, share your thoughts on this development here in the comments or in our forum. But please, take your medical questions to a licensed physician.

Aeriz THC Cart Review: No Flavor and Too Expensive

Cartridges

Jess

If you’re looking for a lowkey high then the Aeriz Element Vape might be the right choice for you. But, if you’re looking for a vape experience that’s a whirlwind of flavor and euphoria then you might want to skip this one. I tried the Banana Biscotti Sundae flavor and it didn’t taste like Banana or Biscotti (whatever Biscotti would taste like). The high isn’t too much to write home about, but it gets the job done. So, what’s the 411 on the Aeriz Banana Biscotti Sundae? I’ll break it down.

Pros:

Great packaging
Calm effects

Cons:

Expensive
No taste

Recommendations: Make it more flavorful

The packaging is fun and easy to open

If you’ve caught any of my other reviews, you know I love a good package. The packaging for this Aeriz vape is fun and intergalactic. Plus, there are instructions to open it. So, even if you’re already blasted before opening the cart, you’ll have steps right on the package to get to your cart even with half of a brain cell left.

Mid effects for a pricier THC cartridge

The Aeriz cart is 0.5g and has 75.78% Delta 9 THC. Depending on where you go the cart will run you about $50, which is kind of on the pricey side for a half gram. The vaping experience is pretty smooth. I didn’t cough much, but when I did I definitely felt myself get a bit higher. Even with a few coughs, I wouldn’t say the high is extravagant, but it got the job done.

This definitely isn’t a super euphoric high, but I also didn’t feel sleepy or energetic. It was a functioning effect that could be great for a quick on-the-go sesh.

The cart doesn’t taste like banana or biscotti

The cart doesn’t taste like banana, biscotti, or a sundae. It doesn’t even taste like THC oil…it tastes like nothing at all. If you’re looking for a flavorful vape, this isn’t the one for you. I like my vapes to taste like SOMETHING. Even if tastes like a big THC cloud, that’s better than nothing.

Aeriz usually has some pretty good flavors, so the complete lack of flavor for this one was disappointing.

Basically, the Aeriz Banana Biscotti Sundae Element cartridge was lackluster for the price. I probably won’t buy this one again, but Aeriz usually does better.

You can find out more about Aeriz carts here.

Have you tried carts by Aeriz? Let us know in the comments or on our forum.

Best Cartridges For Illinois 2023: Top THC Oil Vape Carts

Nema

February 2, 2023

Here we list the best cartridges in Illinois for 2023. Specifically, we’ll focus more on THC oil vape cartridges, usually prefilled with distillate and terpenes. With many brands coming out with new cartridges, it may be difficult to determine which one is the best in the market.

This list is compiled based on products (cartridges) that have actually been tested and reviewed. Or based on our reviewer’s everyday experience living in Chicago. We’ll keep adding more carts to it as we test more out.

You may also want to check out our best lists for California and Nevada. As always, DabConnection never has paid placements. May the best dab carts win.

Our best THC carts list for Illinois 2023

On this best cartridge list, we are not declaring a single winner since there are so many great and potent carts out. Many of these cartridges will vary in pricing and strength. Along with that, there still are many more cartridges that we have yet to try. We will keep adding more brands/cartridges as we continue to review and test them throughout the years.

Illinois best carts list:

Nature’s Grace Joos Disposable
Cresco Labs
Verano Travelers Disposable
Cultivate IESO
Aeriz
Bedford Grow

Nature’s Grace Joos disposable: Flavorful, strong, and affordable

nature's grace joos disposable pen review — Although Nature’s Grace Joos disposables provide strong and tasteful hits, they’re only .3G’s of oil.

Nature’s Grace Joos disposable is one of the few inexpensive and potent disposables we found here in Illinois. You can find them for around $30-$35 (before tax) in many dispensaries. And they do deliver great flavor and strength. Although they are only .3Gs, Joos disposable pens give a nice and lasting high. For its price, I find it to be great value if you want a quick, easy-to-use, and cheap disposable.

The Joos disposable we picked up was around 86% THC. The oil is slightly dark and dense, and also It gives nice strength all throughout the pen. But I should mention that they’re not the most efficient. When you’re almost done with the disposable, you can never finish the little bit of oil that’s left inside them. It may not be a lot, but after a few disposables, that little bit of oil does accumulate. And no one wants to waste any of their concentrates.

See our Nature Grace’s Joos disposable review for more info.

Verano Travelers: One of the most tasteful and potent disposables

Verano Travelers disposable provides strong and flavorful hits. These disposables are .3G’s, just like Nature’s Grace Joos, and go for around $40-$50. Although they are pricier, the quality of the oil makes them well worth it. Verano is a well-known brand that people know for their quality and potency.

The particular disposable we tried it at 74% THC, but it does feel a lot more potent. With just a few hits, you get a nice high with lasting effects. And as for the flavor, it is very smooth and tasteful. But just like most disposables, they aren’t as efficient as cartridges. As you’re almost done with it, you can’t finish the little bit of oil left. In my experience, Verano Travelers is more efficient than Nature’s Grace Joos, I was able to smoke more oil with Verano.

See our in-depth review of Verano Travelers disposable here.

IESO: Smooth and flavorful cartridge, fair strength

I was debating whether to add the Cultivate IESO cartridge, just because it isn’t as potent and is somewhat pricey. But the quality of the oil does taste very clean and tasteful. Along with that, it’s way more efficient than the disposables mentioned earlier. The price is $50, before tax, and these are only half-gram carts. But for Illinois, this isn’t bad in price in comparison to the prices of other half-gram cartridges.

See our in-depth review of the IESO cartridge here.

Cresco Labs Carts

Cresco is known for having one of the best carts in Illinois. Their carts are strong and tasty and they have many subbrands like Sunny Side and Good News.

You can check out our review of a Good News cart here.

Aeriz Carts

Aeriz Carts are known for their consistency and high quality. You can find out more about these carts here.

Bedford Grow Carts

These carts are known for being high quality but they are also very expensive, a cart could go for even 80 dollars. You can find out more about these carts here.

As of now, prices for cartridges and tax in Illinois are pricey (August 2023)

As of 2023, after looking through Weedmaps and multiple dispensaries, We have noticed that almost all half-gram carts are $50-$80 in Illinois. Prices will vary depending on location and dispensaries. But that is the average price for just half a gram, a full-gram cartridge can go from $60 to even over $100. This is pretty expensive, in Cali you can find many good cartridges for half the price.

Along with this, taxes are currently very high compared to other states. According to the Illinois Department of Revenue, taxes are currently 10% for anything below 35% THC and 25% for anything above 35% THC. When I purchased the IESO cartridge, I ended up paying around $13 in total taxes. Hopefully, the prices and taxes here in IL drop soon.

Fake cartridges that have been spotted

There are many fake cartridges in Illinois and also unregistered black market brands. Many of them can be found all over the Midwest, in states where both cannabis is legal and illegal.

Even though recreational use is legal in IL, there are still a lot of unregulated, black-market cartridges being distributed. They may be a lot cheaper than going to get a cartridge in a dispensary, but you can never be sure what’s actually in them. Often the actual dollar per high cost is higher from the black market because many of the carts are weak.

Here’s a list of a few fake and black-market cartridges I found here in IL so far:

Concluding the Illinois best cartridges list

There will always be new brands and new vape cartridges coming out within the cannabis market. There are still many cartridges we have yet to review and test out. As of now, carts are pricey in the state of IL along with taxes. Hopefully, this post gives you a little guidance if you plan on purchasing a cartridge.

What are your thoughts on our Illinois best cartridges list? Are there any brands we are missing or cartridges you think should be a top pick? Comment below or on our forum!

Good News Friyay Disposable Review – A Party in a Pen

Cartridges

Jess

I never thought I’d compare a disposable THC vape pen to a cocktail, but here I am. The Good News Friyay disposable vape is like a party in a pen without having to leave the comfort of your home. As a dedicated introvert, this is my kind of soiree. And, if you’re an extrovert or an ambivert, this is a perfect replacement for alcohol. It’s affordable, potent, and easy to use. What else could you ask for? Let’s get into it.

Pros:

Tastes great
Productive high
Cute packaging

Cons:

The pen build is awkward

Recommendations: None

The packaging is cute and feminine

The Friyay vape pen tells you what you’re getting into right on the packaging. “Cue the tunes, rally the crew, and party like a rockstar.” This party pen by Good News is made by big cannabis honchos at Cresco Labs. The pen and packaging are a matching dark red and pink. I loved that the packaging was more feminine-leaning in design because a lot of cannabis products are normally catered to masculine energy.

The Friyay pen is like vaping a pack of Gushers

I love a good flavor, and the Good News Friyay pen is packed with flavor. The packaging says it’s “Melon”, and it has a fruity palate to it. It kind of tastes like a bag of Gushers or a Fruit Rollup. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the candy taste of the Friyay pen.

It’s a potent disposable vape pen, but you won’t get a lot of product

For a disposable, the Good News Friyay pen has a decent potency at 78.72% THC. It’s 300mg (0.3g), so you won’t get a huge amount in the pen. The pen was $50 at my dispensary, but keep in mind Chicago dispensary prices are pretty ridiculous. The vaping experience is polished and sleek. I didn’t cough at all, and I didn’t feel my asthma flaring after a few pulls.

An energizing high that will give you a flare-up of creativity and energy

This is a Sativa-heavy combination. I felt energized and had a clear high after using it. My creative juices were activated after a few pulls from the disposable. I also got inspired and it cured a bit of the writer’s block that I was experiencing. I’d say the Friyay pen is ideal for creatives who want a good high. I didn’t get the giggles or the munchies; it’s more of a productive, hoppy high. I get a pretty good high after 2-3 pulls, that last about 30 minutes.

The pen is a little awkward to take pulls from

The Friyay vape pen is more of a cigarette-shaped tube than a “pen.” The lack of a mouthpiece makes it a bit awkward to take pulls, especially if you have any lip piercings like me. My philtrum piercing kept getting caught between my teeth when trying to take pulls. However, the size makes it a great on-the-go vape pen. You can stick it in your pocket or clutch it and bring it to your shindig for a few quick puffs to kick off a fun night.

All in all, the Good News Friyay pen is a fun experience, that is great for a weekend high or a fun night. Have a party to go to? A painting to finish? I’d suggest the Friyay pen.

You can find out more about Good News Friyay Disposable here.

Have you tried Good News disposables? Let us know in the comments or on our forum.

Kiara CBD Vape Pod Review – Great For Your Anxiety

Jess

The Kiara Quick Bliss Vape Pod has been a lifesaver these past few days. My anxiety levels have been pretty high, and I am truly grateful for the Kiara Quick Bliss Vape Pod. I’ve felt even more relieved than some of my anxiety meds have ever made me feel. It was quick-acting, clean, and didn’t make me sleepy or give me brain fog. This is a super clean vape; completely free of any additives. It’s just straight-up hemp. So, let’s dig deeper into this review.

Pros:

Strong
Great effects
Decent price

Cons:

No taste

Recommendations: None

The packaging is straight to the point and shows you what you get

I like to see what I’m buying when I get carts. I love packages that are clear and show the amount I’m getting and what the merchandise looks like. The Kiara Quick Bliss Vape Pod comes in a small package with the cartridge exposed through a clear covering.

There’s virtually no taste, which could be good or bad

You might be a little disappointed if you’re a taste connoisseur in vaping. The Kiara Quick Bliss Vape cart has a “natural flavor”, which basically means no flavor at all.

But, if you just care about the effect then the lack of flavor shouldn’t really matter to you. I personally liked that there isn’t much taste. It made me focus more on the effects, and how calmer I felt.

High potency, and a clean effect that helps ease anxious spells

You get 55% Full Spectrum CBD AKA 550mg packed into the cartridge. It’s a high potency that you’ll feel right away, which is a life-saver if you need anxiety, stress, or pain relief ASAP.

The CBD feels very clean and gives a seamless effect that is perfect for everyday use. I used it while working and didn’t feel sluggish. I was able to get through my day even with high-anxiety thanks to the calming effects of this vape.

Concluding this review

In conclusion, if you need more products at your dispensary or want to try the Kiara Quick Bliss Vape Pod I’d go for it. I don’t know what the price point is for this one, but if you’re interested in the Kiara Quick Bliss Pod you can sign up for an account on the website. I can say that this is one of the most high-quality CBD vape pens I’ve ever used, and it honestly helped my chronic anxiety.

Bonus Mention: It came with a Jupiter CCELL Palm Power Supply that was the smoothest vaping experience ever. I used it with a THC cart as well and I didn’t cough once, and I tend to be a cougher. If you haven’t tried one of these, I suggest you snag one.

You can find out more about Kiara products here.

Have you tried Kiara CBD vapes? Let us know in the comments or on our forum

Tronian Nutron Vape Cartridge Battery | Best Value Battery?

Batteries

Penguin Pete

We’re having a 2-for-1 review here with Tronian vaporizer products. They sent along the Nutron, a vape cartridge battery for 510-threaded vape cartridges, and the Tronian Milatron, a dry herb vape, which we’ll review separately next time.

The Tronian Nutron is a minimalist, but top quality, 510-threaded pen-style battery, going on their website for $18.99! That price point puts it in line for the cheapest batteries – compare Doteco MGear4 and TIK10 – while offering a far higher quality unit.

But for the video, we combined both. We’re efficient that way. Check out the full video review of the Tronian Nutron here.

Pros:

Cheap!
Easy to use!
Quality design
Smart USB charge connector

Cons:

Mmmm, maybe should have a 4^th voltage preset?

Recommendations: None

Minimalist Perfection

Personally, I’ve reviewed vape cartridge batteries of every size, shape, price point, and description around here. I have seen several competing design philosophies out there, especially the socket models (like the Rizo) vs. the pen models (like today’s battery, shaped like an oilpen). And I think the winner is the modest and minimalist oilpen design!

I think there’s a handful of aspects you could say you want for a cartridge battery, and then you’re overthinking it:

compact
cheap
simple
efficient

So the minimalist designs, especially with oilpen builds, are really winning me over. I really don’t think most of you are looking for a bunch of features on a cart battery. The whole point of carts is to be convenient. So why not keep it dead simple: Thread on, click temperature, draw, done.

The Tronian Nutron is built with solid engineering distilled to a hyper-efficient design.

Innovative threaded USB charger

To start with, the unit comes with a USB charger which threads right into the top of the battery. So we have a USB device that sticks right into your USB port or adapter with no cord to untangle. The unit glows when plugged in; it was yellowish for me and turned green when fully charged.

That right there was such a handy feature, I’d say the whole industry needs to adapt this method. The thread connector is the charge port. Brilliant! As long as you take good care of it and don’t let leaky cartridges clog it, it should be fine.

The Nutron is super simple!

We have the standard one-button design. Click 5x on/off. Click and hold to draw. Double-click to cycle between three preset temperatures, green – 2.6V; blue – 3.3V; red – 4.0V.

That’s it! We’re done! The airflow and flavor are both great. It heats and draws in seconds, and gets the job done with minimal fuss. I honestly can’t find anything to complain about here.

The best part of the thread-on USB adapter is that you can simply thread it back onto the unit when you’re done, and now you have all the parts together. No cord to misplace. It’s one of those designs that make me ask “Why haven’t we been doing it this way from the beginning?”

The price is wallet-friendly!

$18.99! Compare (aside from the Doteco offering a very similar MGear4 at about the same price) other batteries such as the feature-poor CCELL Rizo ($30) or the maxed-out deluxe PCKT Two ($80), this is at the bottom end of battery prices. The only one I can find cheaper is the Yocan STIX Plus at $14.99, and it doesn’t have a charging indicator.

For all that, this is a solid build that doesn’t skimp on materials. It should prove to be a reliable daily-use battery, in a discreet pocket-pen size. We have also reviewed other Tronian products, such as the Tautron and the Pitron, and had good things to say about them too.

Find the Tronian Nutron here. Readers, share your thoughts on battery philosophy here in the comments or in our forum.

G Pen Hyer Vaporizer | Precise Dab Control

eRigs

Penguin Pete

When we talk about the cannabis market, we have to remember sometimes that there are all kinds of users. Along with us old-school stoners who just smoked weed to get a kick out of it, there are medical users who have turned to cannabis as the only source of relief. Then there are also people who may not be all that coordinated using analog equipment when dabbing. So if you can follow where I’m heading, we’re reviewing the G Pen Hyer today, a precision dabbing device.

The G Pen Hyer retails for $249.95, and is basically an eRig extension for your glass bubbler unit.

Pros:

Solid unit
Builds easily
Precise pre-set dabs every time
Dry herb adapter available
The carrying case is nifty
Audible tone feedback
Auto-shutoff

Cons:

A lot of parts to keep track of
Needs a sturdy glass rig; topples small rigs
Why not use an eRig?

Recommendations: Not even sure what to say here. You’re doing what you need to do about perfect, but this device does have a niche use.

Ease Up On Me; I Grew Up With Atari!

I’m gonna say this out loud: There are two categories of cannabis users here.

Analog – Comfortable with fire, torches, manual rigs

Digital – Requires a digital solution with lots of buttons and features

We reviewers at DabConnection – a shout-out to the whole crew! – we try to keep up. This is an exciting time in the cannabis industry, and we love to have a front-row seat watching this pioneer industry develop. With that said, we end up seeing a parade of devices, from the basic glass rigs to the state-of-the-art digital gizmos. I assume AI robot dabbing assistants are right around the corner. But in the meantime, reviewing means that we often have to devour a whole manual and learn to drive some rig that tries to reinvent how we consume cannabis.

But just to put your mind at ease on the matter, I’m an analog caveman when it comes to weed. Not that I’m a technophobe (Sonny, I was at Y2K at bank headquarters keeping the Big Mainframes functional!), but just that I only deploy digital technology where I feel it really helps the situation. When civilization collapses to Mad Max standards, I’ll still be able to carve a pipe out of a carrot and make fire, you know?

So if you’re happy torching your dab and chazzing your nail because it’s so easy a caveman can do it, you’re like me. If you’re a “hot knives and aluminum cans” user, you’ll have little patience for fiddly digital stuff. BUT: If you cannot bear the thought of a sloppy dab and demand space-age control of your temperature and timing, you have the G Pen Hyer.

Actually, G Pen has even done something like this before. The G Pen Connect is a stand-alone unit that replaces the nail of your dab rig with its electronic heating element. I’ve seen these referred to as “eNails.” If you can follow that the G Pen Hyer is a Connect with a separate battery and more features, you’re getting the right idea.

G Pen Hyer Assembly

First, the hemp case is awesome. It looks good. It’s rugged and sturdy.

First, the big block is the battery. You’ll want to charge this with the USB cable. Next you attach it using the magnetic connector cord. This snaps in very securely to the battery unit.

The other end connects to the eNail, again with the same connector. Big, chunky magnets snap right in, so far so easy.

So now the 14MM glass male connector you see there fits into the bowl/nail socket of whatever glass bubbler you’re using. This is one strike against eNails for many; you still need to supply a glass rig to use it. We like one-stop shopping, albeit we’re not against justified add-ons and mods.

Anyway, you put your concentrate into the top quartz tank of the eNail, right here, using the dab tool. The cap also attaches magnetically, and the little holes in the cap can be used to stick the dab tool if you like to just stash it there.

Are we there yet? We’re ready to mount the eNail on our bubbler and dab away.

Sadly, the flimsy little bubbler I’m using for illustration is not nearly sturdy enough to use with this set-up. You’d need a big rig with a solid base, because the eNail makes the unit very top-heavy. I *have* big rigs, but I use them with, you know, torches. I’m just using this cute Candy Monster glass from the Hemper box because it’s a spare clean rig.

There’s also a separate attachment for the G Pen Hyer to use with dry herb. So you can convert your bong into a vape, which is also nice.

Here is a great tutorial on set-up and use of the G Pen Hyer.

The G Pen Hyer is Great at What It Does

Far be it from me to say that you all should learn to scorch your concentrate with fire like a crude savage who uses the salad fork to eat dessert. The G Pen Hyer offers controls, starting with 3 buttons and some LEDs. Two of those buttons are arrows for (1) higher and lower temperature settings, which is a point in its favor because that’s easier to figure out. Temp settings:

blue – 482°F/250°C
turquoise – 572°F/300°C
green – 662°F/350°C
yellow – 752°F/400°C
red – 842°F/450°C

Right away here, I’m thinking this temperature range goes higher than most people dab at. Honestly, I think some of you are scorching your concentrates.

The (2) job for the arrow buttons is setting the timer. You enter this mode by pressing both arrows at once. Once in timer-set mode (the LEDs turn white), you then use left-right to increase or decrease the time by 15-second increments, from 15 seconds to 75.

Finally, pressing the power button twice will activate the session. Once you have the temps and time locked in, presumably you would just go on hitting the button for a duplicate session.

Worth It Over An eRig?

As you might have figured out by now, this seems like a half step between using analog glass and fire, and using an eRig. Yes, you knew “eRig” was going to come up in this review here! For example, the DabLamp, which does everything the G Pen Hyer does but includes its own glass, at the same price point. Or the AUXO Cira, which does most of this in one unit for $179. Or The Core at $199.

You see where this is going, of course. The G Pen Hyer does have that handy carrying case, but by the time you bring that PLUS a big glass rig (it’s a table-topper all the way; smaller glass will tip over), plus your concentrate… You know you can just walk around with an XMax Qomo in one hand, don’t you?

Nevertheless! Regardless! Be that as it may! If you’re looking for an eNail and nothing else will do, doggone it, the G Pen Hyer is a great choice. Maybe you have a dozen glass rigs and you like to switch around. Maybe you have mobility/coordination problems and are safer with digital heating. Maybe you are a high-maintenance dabber that needs exactly 651 degrees of heat for exactly 30 seconds, or you might as well not dab at all. No really, I’m stretching here. This product seems aimed at not just digital users, but digital users who can’t give up glass.

Eh whatever, get it here. Readers, is there a bigger market for a separate-battery eNail than I first imagined? Tell us in the comments or in our forum.

CBDFx CBD Pen | Blast of Flavor and Good Effects

Vape Pens

Penguin Pete

We have a lot of new reviewers here at Dab Connection, which is awesome news for all of us. You get to hear from somebody besides Grumpy Pete, and I can review at a more leisurely pace. So after a brief hiatus, I’m back to review a CBDFx CBD Pen, 500MG of Strawberry Lemonade. It is mighty tasty!

Pros:

Strongly flavored
Potent CBD
Rechargeable oilpen
Broad spectrum
Full lab testing
Ingredients listed (are we worthy?)

Cons:

Those are not remotely natural terpenes
A bit pricey at $34.99

Recommendations: Not much to change since I can tell they’re aimed at a high-end L.A. market.

CBDFx Does Not Hold Back on Flavor!

As you all know by now if you read me a lot, I am a regular Grinch when it comes to sweet, sugary, candy-flavors. And this, in Strawberry Lemonade no less, is one of the most flavored vapes I’ve ever had. I don’t taste the lemonade as much as the strawberry; exactly like strawberry shortcake frosting or a strawberry pop. The aroma exactly matches the taste.

While this experience is not remotely like tasting cannabis, I have to say, they really knocked out the flavor and for once this is a sweet tasting vape that did not choke me. So kudos to CBDFx for pulling that off. I actually vaped a sweet oil pen and enjoyed it for once, albeit the taste is as artificial as could be.

Potent CBD Effects

Naturally, if you use full cannabis regularly and your tolerance is up there, you won’t be able to feel CBD. I, a pro reviewer and veteran psychonaut, manage my tolerance with watchmaker precision, all the better to report on altcan effects. CBD does not have psychoactive effects, but you feel it in the body and the joints. It’s a deeply relaxing sensation, like a massage in a molecule, soothing and comforting.

CBDFx posts their full lab tests on-site – are we worthy? – including potency and safety. Thus, I am assured that CBD is all I’m getting here, but I do feel a bit of a nudge from the broad-spectrum entourage. Furthermore, they print the actual vape ingredients on the box (“natural and artificial flavors”), which is something I rarely see anywhere. So they get high marks for their transparency. While we’re dwelling on the packaging, it also came with a foil freshness pouch, which doubles as an anti-tampering measure.

Is California Normally That Expensive?

The $34.99 price tag sticks in my craw, considering that this is just a half-gram of CBD. The maximum price for a disposable vape pen seems to hover around $29 normally. Those are full gram prices. So that’s steep for 500MG of CBD, no matter how flavorful. With that said, CBDFx is out of California, headquartered in L.A. So this brand might be aimed at the boutique Cali dispensary shopper. If you’re not in California, there are plenty of cheaper CBD pens out there, some of which even take the bold, risky strategy of tasting like cannabis.

Nevertheless, this is an excellently done CBD pen in all the ways that matter to the mainstream market. Find vapes and CBD products here. Readers, explain to me why everything has to taste like a birthday cake in Candyland, here in the comments or in our forum.

Opinion: Maybe We Need To Ban Vape Cartridges Altogether?

Culture

Penguin Pete

November 16, 2022

NOTE: This is an opinion piece, and feedback is welcome. This piece does not necessarily reflect the opinions of DabConnection staff; it’s just Penguin Pete on his ranty little soapbox.

In my four+ years blogging for DabConnection and the cannabis community in general, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to re-examine the phenomenon of vape cartridges. That’s these little tubes of oil, where the oil is allegedly extracted from cannabis plants. I’ve even reviewed a few, including a whole week last week where I reviewed nothing but cartridges and their sibling, disposable oilpens.

I usually say something like “I don’t like cartridges, but different strokes for different folks.” But not this time. In the few years since the cannabis industry has gained legal ground in North America, I’ve seen cartridges go from a public health hazard, to a pestilence, and then to a threat to legalized cannabis itself. I am now convinced, despite my most idealized beliefs, that cartridges are no good for anyone, and they should be banned.

Yes, I understand, that makes me unpopular. I’m sure legions of vape fans are firing off hate-mail as I yet type. But hear me out…

#1: Nobody Died From Consuming Cannabis Until Cartridges Came Out

The plant, marijuana, has been cultivated since at least 12,000 years ago. For 11,970-ish years after that, the way we consumed cannabis was (1) smoking it, or (2) eating it. Do you know how many people died from consuming cannabis this way? ZERO! There are no known overdose deaths from smoking or eating cannabis. Asterisk: * This of course does not cover deaths that involve marijuana, e.g. accidents from driving while stoned. Smoking over a lifetime can expose you to gradual carcinogenic effects, true. But as far as the plant itself, by all of our evidence, it is as safe as milk.

But along came vape cartridges! The VAPI (Vaping-associated pulmonary injury) epidemic broke out in 2019, racking up 68 deaths and thousands more hospitalized. The initial culprit turned out to be vitamin E acetate, which black market cartridge makers were adding to their oil mixture. While the word got out that the vitamin E acetate was a no-go, there has since been no end of other contaminants found in black market cartridges, nor any end of sickened victims.

As we point out in our post sampling vape-related illness reports, a steady trickle of people injured, sickened, or hospitalized by black market cartridges has continued to this day.

There is much more that can go wrong with a vape cartridge than with any other cannabis consumption medium. With a cartridge, you have to worry about:

heavy metals
residual solvents
pesticides
mycotoxins
cutting agents
additives

…and frankly, the old joke about boof cartridge oil, that it’s just hot dog water, is not outside the realm of possibility either. But even the legitimate, lab-tested, top-quality cartridge brands have things that can go wrong. Making safe vape oil is practically the hardest thing in all of the pharmaceuticals.

#2: We Will Never Get Cartridge Safety Standards Right

In the beginning, we preached the gospel of vape cartridge safety: “Buy your cartridges only from legit dispensaries and check their lab testing.” We have repeated that over and over. I chased down every fake brand I could and outed it. We have reviewed and approved many a legit cartridge brand on here.

But it is starting to dawn on all of us that this is going to be impossible. Here is everything that has gone wrong with the dispensary+lab-tests plan:

Dispensaries may not be licensed at all – they get busted all the time
Laboratories may fake their results – they get busted all the time too
Altcans (alternative cannabinoids like delta 8, HHC, etc.) are here to stay – but they are not regulated like THC products are
Most people do not know what they are looking at when reading a lab test results sheet
Legit brands can come up with anti-counterfeit features all day, but the black market just copies and undermines them
The jackstraw chaos of legalization in North America is the worst-case scenario for safety – it’s legal here, not legal there, sorta illegal but overlooked over there, while there are no nationally standardized safety practices

Now on top of that, you have the deluge of misinformation out there on the Internet. In a world where a sizable chunk of the population was led to believe that they could treat the COVID pandemic with a horse de-wormer drug, what hope do we have of educating them on proper cartridge safety?

When you come down to it, it is impossible to assure the safety of a vape cartridge. It’s a sealed capsule. You can’t smell it or taste it prior to vaping it. After you vape it, it’s too late.

By contrast, even black-market cannabis flower is safer. It’s a natural plant that grows out of the ground; it is impossible to fake. Burning cannabis smells only like burning cannabis, one of nature’s most distinctive odors. Ditto for flavor.

Even dabbable concentrates and extracts are far safer than cartridges. Again, cannabis resin and rosin is recognizable. You can make it yourself at home starting with flower. It comes in a jar; you can inspect it and even test a dab before inhaling it.

Likewise edibles. Come to that, your stomach is several times more resilient than your lungs, so edibles aren’t as much of a concern. There is just less that can go wrong with an edible. If you have ever experienced the unhappy occasion of food poisoning, you know that the body has defense mechanisms to expel the toxic substance as quickly as possible – vomiting and so on.

But your lungs have zero defense mechanisms against inhaling toxic substances. Once you are coughing, choking, or gagging, it’s too late.

On top of all this, vaping itself is a new pastime, barely 20 years old. Johns Hopkins University carried out a vape study in 2021 – well after the VAPI epidemic – and discovered “thousands of unknown chemicals and substances not disclosed by manufacturers.” What do these chemicals do to us? We may know in twenty or forty years when users start dying like flies, exactly the way we went from cigarettes endorsed by doctors to discovering, whoops, they cause cancer.

#3: The Majority Of Cartridges Are Fakes With Boof Oil

There is us, a consumer safety and advocate website. Add to that the cannabis community, the cannabis industry, and law enforcement at all levels: All of us working together! And yet we have not managed to dent the black market for vape cartridges by a single hair. The cannabis black market, with vape cartridges its top product, still thrives and even dwarfs the legal market.

Bear in mind that the biggest argument for legalizing cannabis in the first place was to stamp out the black market. And by all common sense, that should have panned out! We legalize tobacco and alcohol; when was the last time you saw counterfeit cigarettes or backyard moonshine going around? Yet somehow, the almighty vape cartridge has actually beaten a natural, harmless plant at its own game.

Being able to tell legal from illegal is just one issue though. As I point out, especially with the alternative cannabinoid scene, vape regulation is barely there in the first place. Legit, commercial brands test dirty all the time too. But beyond that, most people vaping cartridges have never seen an actual cannabis dispensary in their lives. Instead, these cartridges are sold at gas stations, truck stops, vape shops, smoke shops, bodegas, swap meets, and everything but a clean dispensary environment.

Where are we now? I can think of maybe a few dozen brands of cannabis vape cartridges that are actually legit and have good testing and safety practices. The black market fakes? The list never ends! One member of our staff is now on 24/7 illegal cartridge watch; their whole job is just updating that list. It is a Sisyphean task. People are inventing fake cartridge brands faster than we can even track them.

The cartridge black market is swamping the entire cannabis industry! It is giving political opponents ammunition to argue for making cannabis illegal again. It is causing damage to the reputation of cannabis legalization. And it is interfering with those of us who just wanted to smoke a plant and be done with it, whether for recreational or medical purposes.

#4: Cartridges Are All Crap Anyway

NOTE: I rest my case with the above points 1, 2, and 3. This part here is just my purely subjective opinion. To clarify a side point, I have met actual disposable oilpens that were quite good; this post really just applies to 510-threaded vape cartridges. Yes, I know others out there have found a local brand that is delightful – just hasn’t passed my plate yet. When it does, I’ll note it. But I’m writing from the point of view of the average US consumer from “flyover country” with less access. Sorry, we can’t all move to Los Angeles; we’d drink all your water.

As a reviewer here, I have access to the very finest products that the cannabis community has to offer. Lucky me! And while I have reported my delight in sampling flower, dabs, edibles, and every other cannabis extracted product, when it comes to cartridges, every cartridge I have ever tried sucks.

SUCKS!

Inevitably when I draw on one, I’m thinking from the first puff: This is IT? This is what everybody is raving about? God help us all if this is as good as it gets. If there were no other way to partake of cannabis but vape cartridges, I would live my whole life without it. Heating plastic-flavored artificial oil to 500 degrees and inhaling it, to be rewarded with choking rancid vapor and nothing that resembles an actual cannabis high in any shape, is not my idea of a good time. Not only are we suffering all this trauma over the one cannabis delivery medium that causes all of our problems, but we’re doing it for the lousiest way to consume cannabis!

Never mind whether they are fake. Most cartridges are GARBAGE to start with. I guarantee you, if you are a habitual cartridge vape user, try smoking a bowl of actual cannabis flower and see if you don’t notice a difference. Whatever you’re getting out of cartridges, it’s not cannabis!

I have never encountered the vape cartridge that tasted like pot, felt like pot, smelled like pot, or connected with pot as I know it in any guise. I am now convinced that vape fans do not want the cannabis experience. They must be addicted to the Vegetable Glycerin or Propylene Glycol instead, or else there is something else in vapes – K2/Spice, Fentanyl, or some other chemical – that is getting people hooked. I can’t prove that statement yet, but the convincing evidence is mounting.

Over and over again, I see daily consumers posting to defend black market vape cartridges. Saying that they prefer street vapes to everything else. These people are definitely high on something, or at least addicted to something, but it has nothing to do with marijuana.

Am I the Bad Guy For Saying Maybe Carts Aren’t Worth the Trouble?

It won’t be the first time I had an unpopular opinion… and it would also not be the first time that I turned out to be right later. That’s the prophet business for you.

I realize that banning all cartridges won’t stop the black market, which will spam the vacuum of outer space for all eternity just because it can. But it WILL stop people from mistaking a black market cartridge for a legal one. It WILL stop gas stations and vape shops from stocking pseudo-cannabis cartridges openly. It WILL eliminate the ambiguity – if 100% of all cartridges are banned, then none of them are legit. Problem solved.

Finally and most important of all, we can get back to cannabis flower, extracts, and edibles, and enjoy a legalized, unfettered market for them. Right now, cartridges are the albatross around the legal cannabis industry’s neck. Most of us have not had time to think about normal cannabis, because it’s been cartridges cartridges cartridges for years now.

Readers, you can take this all for an opinion, perhaps even just speculation. If you love vape carts, well, I dunno what to tell you. It would be a nice world if we could trust safe vape carts, I’m just telling you why that may never happen. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.

Wild Orchard Hemp Zangria Cart and Pen | Great Taste, Nil Effects

Vape Pens

Penguin Pete

IMPORTANT UPDATE: THCO (and its isomers) are now banned by the DEA. Unlike the majority of cannabinoids, THCO does not naturally occur in the cannabis plant. Furthermore, THCO is an acetate, and acetates have been shown to be harmful when vaped. We at DabConnection do not recommend products containing THCO.

Wild Orchard Hemp Co. should be a brand name very familiar to our frequent readers. Before, we’ve reviewed their D9THC Gummies, their HHC oilpens, their delta 8 flower, and their prerolls of same. And for the most part, we’ve had good things to say about them and they seem to be a widely respected brand. But, as fate would have it for our Cartridge/Oilpen Review Week (my least favorite assignment), the products I got to review were definitely of high quality, but stumbled on one detail that may be no fault of their own: Apparently, THC-O doesn’t do a thing for me.

It might be quicker to get through.

We are reviewing both the Delta 10 THC-O 510 cartridge, and the Delta 10 THC-O 510 disposable vape pen.

Pros:

Great tasting oil!
Hits smooth, no harshness!
Both cartridge and disposable vape pen work perfectly
Vape pen recharges
Full lab tests
Reasonable price

Cons:

Weak effects! (attributable to THC-O variability?)
Slightly off taste to the vape pen with a medicine element

Recommendations: Either double-check your THC-O process or consider some other cannabinoid in the front row next time. You had better luck with HHC.

Every Vape is an Adventure!

Here at DabConnection, we do out best to help consumers navigate this maze of altcans, terpenes, isomer this and acetate that. We are in the pioneer days of not just the non-THC cannabinoids, but the entire cannabis industry itself. Given that it’s not even federally legal yet, it is commendable how far we’ve all come. So, when a major brand like Wild Orchard Hemp Co. puts out a dud, and it’s a new cannabinoid on the market, it makes more sense to suspect the cannabinoid.

BUT… We went through this kind of uncertainty about HHC just months ago. THC-O might be one of those beasts that only works as an edible on Tuesdays when it’s raining and the rest of the time you have to dab it while facing east.

So, when reading this review, keep in mind that alternative cannabinoids are not an exact science yet. We’re in the wild west trying out random hooches from outlaw gardens.

What Was in This Vape Exactly?

Wild Orchard Hemp Co. is very conscientious about testing, and I easily found their lab sheets for both products.

OK: First, the box label has me confused. It says (or seems to intend) “delta 10 THC-O.” However, up until now I’ve seen delta 10 and THC-O treated as separate things. We also know that the “delta”s are isomers while the “-O”s are acetates. Now: Does this mean that we have an acetate that is also an isomer, an isomer of that acetate, or an acetate of the isomer…?

Then we get to the lab sheet and I’m even more confused. Now it’s “delta 8 THC-O Acetate.” Next down is our old familiar delta 8 THC, and those two are the most prominent cannabinoids. Next after the obligatory trace of CBD, we have the trailing cannabinoids in percentages too small to worry about. But this is my first time anywhere seeing “delta6a10a-THC.” I mean that I read lab sheets every day for this gig, and have never seen that particular cannabinoid before.

In any case, whatever cannabinoid is the most abundant here, it doesn’t do anything for me. Reportedly it doesn’t do anything for a bunch of other people, if I read my altcan Internet forums right. I didn’t even feel the delta 8, not that 29% of it is going to make much difference. I felt the terpenes more than I felt any cannabinoids here. Like I was vaping CBD, if even that.

Everything Else About Wild Orchard Zangria Was Awesome?

“Zangria” is Wild Orchard Hemp Co.’s in-house strain/oil formula. They sent along two container products for it: the 510-threaded cartridge (again with that bulky tank circumference so they won’t fit socket vapes), and a perfectly practical disposable vape pen. Both were full spectrum.

Both vaped beautifully. The oil is basically earthy-floral with some mango-sweetness, and some body to it, but not chokingly sweet. I described the cartridge as a mild butterscotch taste. The vape pen is like the cartridge’s oil, but added another taste that was either an antiseptic or medicine taste, possibly a holdover from the THC-O processing, or maybe some carene slipped into the terpene mixture.

I like that Wild Orchard Hemp thinks to print the terpenes right there on the box! There are so many things to like about these products, it is a shame about the weird cannabinoid misfire.

Is THC-O Just Bunk?

Or was this “delta 10 THC-O” or even “delta 8 THC-O”? Readers, as always, feel free to chime in below in the comments with your THC-O experiences. What altcan mishap have I encountered here?

On the other hand, if you have had better experiences with delta 10 THC-O, as perhaps some people report, then these Zangria items might suit you. At the price of $29.99, they are reasonable. We’re going to have to “To be continued…” this one and see what other exploration of altcans turns up. Find Wild Orchard Hemp Co. products here.

iDelta8 Obsidian Disposable Oilpen | Tasty and Satisfying

Vape Pens

Penguin Pete

BANNER-iDelta8-Obsidian-disposable-oilpen

Here we are, one day after elections – shout-out to Maryland and Missouri for full-rec legalizing cannabis! And here we also are, in the middle of Cartridge Week. This is where your Present Author, not much of a vape enthusiast, gets to review five brands of vape cartridge / oilpen brands. So far this week we had two stinkers, but today’s selection makes up for it!

The iDelta8 Obsidian disposable oilpen is a tasty and satisfying vape, enough to win over a vape Scrooge like me!

Pros:

Delicious taste!
Smooth vaping!
Great effects
Charge port
Decent price point

Cons:

The tiered-potency bit is innovative, but a bit confusing

Recommendations: You’re doing everything right as far as I can tell.

Hit-To-Draw Oilpens Rock!

As vapes go, I don’t know why everybody isn’t on the disposable oilpen standard already, rather than this cartridge and battery system. A good self-contained oilpen, like the iDelta8 Obsidian, works like a magic cigarette: just puff it! No buttons, no haptic feedback, just draw at will. It’s ready whenever you are, and when you’re done, you can set it down and forget it. It’s downright decadent. More things should work this way.

The iDelta8 Obsidian is the last word in discreet, compact, convenient hardware, with the kind of simplicity I wish I could find more often in cannabis products.

Smooth, Great-Tasting Oil!

The strain they sent me is Raspberry Kush, of which I am a huge fan. It is not one of those sweet, choking strains of which I have been complaining of late. It’s a hearty and robust berry flavor with an earthy undertaste, still squarely on the cannabis terpene spectrum. This pen hits super-silky, so you can drag a deep puff. Raspberry Kush is the kind of flavor that would go well with a glass of Sherry and fireside conversations. Whatever the internal temperature is set to, it’s perfect, never vaping hot.

Great Potency and Effects!

The Obsidian mixes four altcans: Delta 8, delta 10, CBN, and THC-P. Not only that, but the PureCBDNow website (our supplier for this round of reviews) lists three different tiers of potency and price. So the range is:

Silver – $34.99
Gold – $39.99
Diamond – $44.99

The difference in potency is how much THC-P is in the formula. With the THC-P absent, it’s filled in with more delta 8. When you get the top potency, that’s a higher THC-P/delta 8 ratio. I got the Silver version, but I have no complaints about the potency regardless. So, let’s break it down:

Delta 8 – Usually more invigorating, but here paired with 2, possibly 3, heavier altcans
Delta 10 – Feels more sluggish and sedating than delta 8
CBN – The “sleepy time” altcan, very relaxing
THC-P – The latest trendy cannabinoid that’s supposed to be stronger than THC

The sum effect of the oil is very couch-locky, super relaxing, and great nighttime sleep aid. I chose this product to be my emotional support vape while watching election night results, and it got me through just fine. Nothing bothered me. I am thinking of formulating Penguin Pete’s rule of altcans: any four altcans in combination are indistinguishable from THC.

The head from the iDelta8 Obsidian lasts a good long while with just a few puffs, yet it’s so enjoyable you might find yourself hitting it just for the taste.

The iDelta8 Obsidian is a Great Disposable

I know that disposable oilpens have been around for a few years now, but it seems like I barely get to try one. For some reason I have not fathomed, I seem to have better luck with the oil in disposable oilpens, which half the cartridges I try seem a step down in oil quality.

The iDelta8 Obsidian is a sophisticated disposable for those of us who appreciate a solid oil product. I will look for the chance to sample the rest of the Obsidian line. If their quality is consistent, I might have found my new favorite oilpen. Find the iDelta8 Obsidian here.

Pure CBD Vapors CBD Vape Kit Review – Calming and Tasty

Cartridges

Miles

Today I got a few carts from PURE CBD along with a rechargeable battery. I found the packaging to be easy to open and the cart was easy to put on the battery. I did need to charge the battery for about 2 hours before using it for the first time as it came without a charge. A cord was provided for this, but the user needs to have an adaptor to put it to power. I think the company should note that, so folks are aware if it is the first time they order this product in the mail. Its sleek and stylish look made me want to carry it everywhere I went, as a matter of fact, I took it to the Fairwell Elton John Concert in Las Vegas and everyone was asking to use it again and again, a popular night out.

Pros:

Stylish design
Great taste and smell
Calming effect, paired nicely with flower with THC

Cons:

No flavor is stated on the packaging, not sure I got what I ordered
No plug for the charger and no notice one is needed
Missing my love, THC

Recommendations: None

What a great surprise this was! For a CBD

I have to admit, for the most part, I’m not one to turn to CBD and this is perhaps why I’m asked to review it. In my many many years of flower consumption, I had not seen the point in it. Then one day a great bud tender at a local dispensary suggested some for my nausea. I’d had it on going for 3 days and nothing else was helping. I got a pre-roll and sure thing it helped. So since then, I’ve kept open-minded about giving it a try and PURE CBD has me thinking.

The taste was great

I love the taste of this cart, it was great. Not sweet and not perfumery, just right someplace in the middle. And Smooth to hit, I never once coughed or had a tight chest I sometimes do with a lot of other carts on the market, so there must be something about that all-natural process that talks about, because I’ll say it one more time, it was a great flavor (not that I’m sure what it was.)

Length they lasted me

I received two carts 5 days ago and I’m still not ½ way thru the second one. I have to say that the battery in this pack is great too. 6 folks hit it in a 3-hour concert and it was as strong at the end of the night as it was from the start. I’m sure I’ll have that battery long after the carts are gone.

Will I be using this brand again soon?

I feel that I am going to pick up some of the other carts they sell just to see what I think of all of the products they carry. Will I give up my flower for this product? No, but it’s nice to go with flower and for that and the taste(said it again), I’ll have a few on hand just to make the bad flower better. I’m also going to carry it into more stressful situations as I did feel calm with use without flower, I liked that feeling a lot and hope it works in stressful situations.

You can find out more about Pure CBD products here.

Have you tried the Pure CBD Vapors CBD Vape Kit? Let us know in the comments or on our forum

CBD Vape Juice: Uses and Applications

Culture

Bert Blaze

October 13, 2022

Editors note: This is a guest post, and does not reflect general staff opinion.

As a consequence of its legalization in many countries worldwide, a growing number of individuals have begun to use Cannabidiol (CBD) products such as CBD gummies UK. CBD may be ingested or vaped in a variety of ways. You need to use vape oil, popular as CBD e-liquid or CBD vape juice. First, the juice is processed and diluted with a carrier liquid in a vape pen.

The main three vape juice ingredients are propylene glycol or PG, vegetable glycerin or VG, different flavorings, and CBD extract. It can have three types depending on the terpenes, waxes, amount of CBD, and flavonoids, such as broad-spectrum vape juice, whole plant CBD liquid, and Isolate CBD vape juice.

At various online vape sites and shops, you will come across a wide range of cartridges, colorful pods, and bottles filled with flavored vape juice or e-liquid. Vape juice is used in e-cigarettes and vaping rigs that create an aerosol inhaled by the user. Because of its immediate effect, CBD vape juice can help avoid migraines, give instant pain relief, and even lessen public speaking anxiety.

So, on that note, let us know about some uses of CBD vape juice.

CBD Vape Juice Might be Helpful for Anxiety and Insomnia

Insomnia and anxiety are the two most common problems individuals face worldwide. According to a report published by the American Sleep Association, almost 70% of the people only in the US have insomnia. And nearly 40 million adults have anxiety issues. The good news is that CBD vape oil can help people with insomnia because of its sleep-inducing properties. But make sure to buy it from reputed stores to ensure its pure form.

A study of 2019 has shown that almost 67% of the participants reported better sleep and less anxiety after using CBD vape juice for a few days. CBD vape juice also possesses anxiolytic, antidepressant properties and mood-regulating effects that may also aid people suffering from OCD, depression, and PTSD. When you vape, CBD reacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors and reduces its levels to get rid of stress and anxiety.

It Can Have Neuro-Protective and Anti-Oxidative Effects

CBD vape oil is known to have neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, which can effectively treat many oxidative neurological illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease and cerebral ischemia. It can quickly react with different signaling and endocannabinoid systems of the brain to treat neurological disorders.

About 220 people with epilepsy took part in a study where researchers gave them CBD vape juice of 0.9 gm – 2.3 gm depending on their body weight. After a few months, they reported a decrease of almost 36% in their seizures. Thus, people with epilepsy or Parkinson’s diseases can vape VBD juice, but only after expert consultation.

You Can Use CBD Vape Juice to Treat Diabetes

Diabetes is a massive problem in the US, where almost 30 million people have Type 2 diabetes. This can lead to blurry vision, persistent inflammation, insulin resistance, and other health issues. CBD’s anti-inflammatory qualities may be helpful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes by improving metabolism and eliminating inflammation. It is believed that CBD’s activities in the body might be tweaked to function on different receptors. The molecule could treat various exacerbated or cause by chronic inflammation.

It Might Help You Quit Smoking

As you all know, smoking is quite harmful to health, and it is pretty hard to quit it, mainly if you have been smoking for a long time. But not anymore, as CBD vape juice might be the solution you have been looking for till now. Being free of tobacco, vape juice provides you the same feeling of smoking, without its harmful effects. Moreover, you can get rid of nicotine addiction by choosing the nicotine-free vape juices offered by most brands. CBD vape juice is relatively cheaper, comes in different flavors like tobacco, candy, chocolate, coffee

CBD Vape Juice Might Give Fast Onset of Effects

Unlike any other method, inhaling CBD vape juice gives the quickest benefits. Inhaling chemicals through your lungs helps them enter the bloodstream swiftly and notice the results within five minutes. This is especially beneficial for persons who need immediate respite from stress or discomfort.

You Can Vape on the Go

Some CBD intake techniques are not suitable for usage while away from home. Some people, for example, may prefer to avoid using topical CBD or CBD oils when out, owing to the potential for unwanted attention from others. On the other hand, CBD vaping will not draw any special attention because it neither leaves any bad odor nor creates huge vapor. However, double-check if vaping CBD is legal in your location before opting for it. And many countries have fixed a particular zone for vaping. So, make sure to vape only there.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it: seven uses and applications of CBD vape juice. Even if you don’t vape already, you could try CBD vaping. After all, the act is simple in and of itself, especially if you opt for a pre-filled vape device. It also allows you to take some time for yourself, which is ideal for combatting stress and anxiety. But, the dose of vape juice depends on your age, body weight, physical conditions, etc. Thus, consulting a vaping expert and cannabis expert is mandatory before using it.

Reference links:

https://fadmagazine.com/2021/10/19/cbd-vape-5-benefits-of-vaping-cbd/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vaping-cbd

https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/cbd-vape-oil-5-proven-health-benefits/

https://vaping360.com/learn/benefits-of-vaping-cbd/\

https://www.momoeliquid.com/blogs/news/health-benefits-of-cbd-vape-oil

The Despensary Des Moines Iowa | a tour

Dispensaries

Penguin Pete

September 3, 2022

One of the greatest ironies of my career is that I have a substantial claim in the cannabis industry (going on 4 years blogging here @dabconnection 💓!) while residing in the state of IOWA. Iowa’s official stance on cannabis right now is to grudgingly allow the minimum federally legal hemp derivatives, while passing additional restrictions in-state on individual molecules and devices. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is a hate magnet for just about every issue possible, not just cannabis legalization.

Yeah, more than half the state hates her, and I guarantee you that not all of those are Democrats. I’ve talked to many a red-hat conservative that still hates Reynolds, because she doesn’t make friends on either side of the isle, but we have to put up with her for another four years.

But I digress. Within the weird and futile Iowa cannabis and hemp laws (which lately have slapped down delta 8, any kind of vape cartridge at all, and now HHC), it is still possible to supply niche cannabis products. As always with the federal farm bill, most of what you find here is legal just about anywhere else. You’ll find scattered bits and bobs at various smoke and head shops. OR you can drive a couple hours to a freedom-loving state like Illinois or Minnesota and get any damn thing your heart desires (this is why trying to stamp out Iowa cannabis is futile; all it does is ship money out of state).

But in the heart of downtown Des Moines Iowa, practically in eye view of Kim Reynolds’ office window from the gold-roofed capitol building, one business is trying its best to be a dispensary of sorts – and locals love them for it.

The Despensary is hanging in there!

I had heard of The Despensary (think “Des” in “Des Moines”) and have been keeping up with news so far. They did get raided once, however this is clearly not their fault, but the fault of draconian local laws that generally change what’s legal and what’s not based on the hour of day and the phase of the moon. You can get raided in Iowa for having a Bob Marley poster in the window. Nevertheless, The Despensary is back in business and I finally had to check it out myself. Who else is going to blog Iowa cannabis?

I got there and the first thing that caught my eye really raised a red flag. Can you guess what it is?

Yes, that “Cake” neon sign just about killed my hopes. Luckily, it turns out that there were no Cake items visible in the store. Since vape cartridges are banned in the state (whoopie, 100% of cartridges in Iowa are black market), that’s one way to stamp out the cancer of boof carts in stores. I guess they just send you a Cake neon sign when you open a dispensary, it’s automatic.

Being the closest thing to a dispensary you can get in Iowa, it was actually pretty crowded, albeit this was Memorial Day weekend and a very nice day to be out, plus the Farmer’s Market turns downtown Des Moines into a walkable boho district with lots of foot traffic.

That sign on the wall says that they will have to discontinue their HHC products next. But let’s get right to some products. Naturally in this environment I wanted to stick by name brands I recognize, of which I was quite delighted to discover quite a few.

Hometown Hero Live Rosin Gummies

We’re reviewed a couple Hometown Hero products here before and had good things to say about their delta 8 cartridges and their delta 8 concentrate. $50 seems to be about the going rate for 250MG of regular D9 THC.

Regular delta 9 THC (“THC classic”) is having a field day on the edibles scene since the provisions of the Farm Bill only require that you start with hemp with contains less than 0.3% D9 THC. After that, you can compress as much as you’d see fit into an edible; it’s still legal. Legislators go “Duh!”

Charlotte’s Web gummies

We haven’t gotten around to covering Charlotte’s Web products yet, but this company has been around for a few years. These were $45, a reasonable price.

Patsy’s Edibles

I have no idea who Patsy is, but their lab sheets tell me these are mostly CBD with some D9THC. Still, $2.50 for 25MG and full spectrum, I can’t argue with that in the cannabis desert of Iowa.

Urb Sweet Orange HHC-O Caviar Flower

Rounding out my purchases, the Urb flower was what drew my attention first. As I mention earlier, Iowa is just now banning HHC, so they were selling off the HHC flower I’d heard about. They only had HHC-O left, so I snagged it. $40 for 7 grams of infused hemp is pretty good, and when the clerk opened a sample for me to sniff, I was blown away. I smelled rich and dank, on top of the citrus, so I can’t wait to try it.

We have of course reviewed Urb Finest Flowers quite a bit here and liked what we’ve tried. Look for a lot more about Urb coming up, as we have another Urb product to review after this one.

TFW you’re a pizza restaurant and a dispensary moves in next door…

Really, that is local landmark Fong’s Pizza, enjoying top-rated success since about 2009 at least. They must have been thrilled when the only dispensary in town chose to move in next door.

The Despensary : Kudos for sticking it out!

Considering the political climate for anything cannabis in Iowa, the store clerks were obviously a little jumpy at my taking photos and asking questions until I assured them that I was just there to review the place. With that said, the staff was friendly, helpful, and very patient with me. I tried not to take up too much of their time because like I say, it was busy.

Overall, the prices did not floor me, but they were also well within average prices you’d find anywhere in the states at the reasonable end of the spectrum. While the store was crammed into your typical downtown hole-in-the-wall, it was clean and well-tended. And I was pleasantly surprised to find trusted name brands, rather than the straggly gas-station brands we see at some smoke shops.

So that’s a big recommend for The Despensary! Not only will we rate it “best dispensary in Des Moines,” but we will give it a 21-gun salute for putting up with this hostile business climate. The majority of Iowans on both sides of the aisle favor legalizing cannabis, of course, so the people support these efforts even if ol’ COVID Kim under her golden dome of scorn doesn’t.

If we have any readers in Iowa, we’d love to hear more from you about the cannabis scene. Right this way to our underground forum.

Beginner Vapes 2022: 9 Best Budget Portable Vaporizers Available Online

Vaporizers

Bert Blaze

August 24, 2022

Editors note: This is a guest post, and does not reflect general staff opinion.

Anxiety and stress are two of the major mental illnesses that are posing threats to the well-being of today’s youth. As per a 2019 report by Pew Research Center, 70% of young people believe that anxiety and depression are significant problems in their community. Furthermore, in December 2020, more than 56% of the young individuals reported symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Vaping is known to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression; it also instills a sense of calm. So when you start your vaping journey, knowing which vape is best for you is necessary. That’s why you probably landed on this page that contains the eight best vaporizers in your budget and is also portable.

9 Best Budget Portable Vaporizers Available Online

1. The PAX 3

When it comes to being affordable and portable at the same time, the PAX 3 can be the best option that you will ever choose. You have minimal control buttons on this vape, so it is best for someone who doesn’t know much about vaping. You can find one button and four light petals. It is easy to operate, and you must pack it tightly and press the fire button once. It helps to begin your session within 30 seconds.

This vape has a stylish design, and you can choose from many temperature control options with just a few clicks. Another advantage of selecting this vape is that it is durable; it doesn’t come with moving parts or glass bits. When you are ready to take further steps into the vaping world, you can use apps to link it to your phone to discover various settings.

2. Firefly 2+

If you are looking for a fast, on-demand dry herb vaporizer, a good option would be Firefly 2+. It comes in pocket size, so you can easily carry it wherever you want. This affordable vape comes with a magnetic cover that helps in making the loading quick and easy. It also supports smartphone apps that users can use to boost functionality.

You can see similarities in Firefly 2+ and Firefly 2. The Firefly 2+ weed vaporizer shows a significant difference from the original as it displays a window with the new Firefly logo. You can find this logo beneath the viewing portal. There are no significant differences apart from this one because the original Firefly 2 was already well built.

3. Herb E Micro Vaporizer

This micro vaporizer has two temperature settings: preset and all-metal designs. The inner side of this vape is built of high-quality elements, and the oven is made entirely of aluminum. It also has a carbon fiber wrap that gives it a gorgeous appearance that seems futuristic. This vape appears small, but it comes with a 1200mAh battery. This battery helps you to choose between two temperature settings.

4. AirVape XS Go

This vape is compact and lightweight. It has four different thermostat settings spread from 355F-420F and contains a battery of 1200mAh, inside the body. This device uses a hybrid method to combine convection and conduction.

Another exciting thing about this vape is the dual filter technology that helps purify and clean the mouthpiece. It gives you a good vapor because the material chamber of the device is made entirely from ceramic, so hot air quickly gathers. You can also find five LEDs in front of the device that shows the vape’s temperature and battery.

Other features of this beautiful vape include an oval-shaped ceramic oven and a magnetic mouthpiece. You can find a control button at the front of the gadget.

5. Arizer ArGo

The Arizer ArGo, is a competitor to the Solo 2, the portable vape king. The device comes with a buried chamber and helps generate vapor with its powerful hybrid heating system. One of the best vaporizers worth for its buck, it enables you to fulfill your money’s worth by providing a portable shape and powerful heating.

Other features of this affordable vaporizer include a long-lasting battery, an OLED display, and temperature control. The glass design of this vaporizer is quite similar to the other vaporizers by the company. Users can use the vape easily; it heats up quickly, and you can get sound feedback.

6. The Boundless CFX

This vaporizer consistently appears on our annual list because it may be the best option in terms of power-to-cost ratio.

Some impressive complete vapor clouds result from the enormous, strong battery. Additionally, it eliminates the worry that the Boundless CFX would run out of power when you take it along on longer journeys.

It is also a durable vaporizer as it doesn’t affect your sturdy housing practices. This vaporizer is a suitable option for you if you are someone who stays most of the time outdoors.

7. Utillian 722

If you are looking for vaporizers that perform more than ones with comparable prices, do then Utillian 722 is a fantastic option. This vape gives you tasty vapor through an isolated airpath by applying the method of convection heating. You can switch between the four temperatures that are precisely calibrated.

The interface of this vape is easy to understand, which makes it one of the best options for beginners. This vapor is for those who can’t afford to spend too much but want a good quality vape simultaneously.

8. K-Vape Pro

This vape comes at $100, which is surprising for the quality of vapor that this vape produces. This vape has a glass mouthpiece-like shape that effectively cools the smoke. In addition to all these excellent features, this vape uses a hybrid heating system that helps you enjoy the herb’s flavor even more.

9. Dynavap Vapcap M 2021

The design of this vape is timeless since the lineup has been revised several times since its initial launch in 2017. You can choose from a variety of color options that are offered by Dynavap that makes it stand out from the rest of the vapes. This vape is effective whether you are a heater fan or a butane cigar flame.

It is the tiniest vaporizer on our list and will be the smallest vaporizer you will ever try.

Conclusion

Vaping has several benefits apart from helping you with stress and anxiety. It is also 95% safer than smoking and may help you quit, according to PHE. Getting one of the above affordable and portable vapes can help you with your daily fix as a beginner. These affordable vaporizers produce a satisfying, smooth, and appropriately hitting vapor. They are well-built and have a slick, elusive appearance, so don’t linger on about it, and pick one that serves you well.

Utillian 5 (V3) Wax Pen + Bubbler : Coil-Heated Wax Heaven

Wax Pens

Penguin Pete

As they say in this business, a picture is worth a thousand words. Behold the banner over this very blog post; yea, the mighty cloud you verily see me blowing at the camera came off this very amazing device you behold before you today! My only caveat is that the Glass Bubbler and core unit should be considered a package deal, so consider this review of the two parts together.

Let’s cut to the chase: Not only am I sold on wax pens as the finest dabbing method, but the Utillian 5 with Bubbler are in my top 5 devices I’ve ever tried, period.

https://rumble.com/v1fl7sp-utillian-5-wax-pen-and-bubbler-review.html

A 2021 review of a bundled Utillian 5 and bubbler wax pen kit.

Pros:

Fresh, hot dabs sizzling right on the coil!
Bountiful clouds of vapor!
Pitch-perfect controls
Solid build
Perfect taste
Great battery charge and life
The Bubbler unit is a great accessory

Cons:

Without the bubbler, the default mouthpiece takes the thrill down a notch
Maybe a bit top-heavy when set down (use a stand of some sort)

Recommendations: Either pack an extender mouthpiece with the Utillian 5 or just go back to the packaged kit?

The Utillian 5 + Bubbler wins a Golden-Dab-Buddha Award!

The best thing to happen to wax since bees, the Utillian 5 wax pen delivers sizzling exposed coil performance and unbeatable airflow for perfect hits of your wax, shatter, budder, rosin, distillate, and beyond. For example, I’ve even tried CBG powder in it and that vaped in there fine too, so I imagine crumble and diamonds should be no problem.

By itself, the Utillian 5 is a perfectly functional wax pen – but I truly urge the Bubbler for that true cloud-surfer experience! Trust this rig with your strongest distillate, your gooiest shatter, and your tastiest rosin, and the Utillian 5 + Bubbler will deliver deep pulls of vapor on demand. The taste is perfect, the unit is very efficient, and the performance is off the charts.

Utillian 5 + Utillian Glass Bubbler: From Box to Puff

Charge the Utillian unit using the USB cable – couple of hours should do
5x clicks on/off – 4 LED display shows charge state
“Perform a sanitation cycle” i.e. a dry fire, running the unit briefly heated while empty, purging machine oils from manufacturing, etc.
2x clicks to cycle temperature (range 2.2-2.8V)
Dispense a dab of your material on the coil under the removable mouthpiece
Hold the button to vape

The package comes with two coils which are swapped after unthreading, plus some O-rings.

Science geek note: that process of heating something to burn off impurities is called “Pyrolysis.”

The mouthpiece has a dab nib on the bottom, and that is offered as a combo dab-tool function. The unit is perfectly functional that way, but the mouthpiece gets hot easily, being very short. So assembly part 2:

Use one of the four rubber gaskets to size the Glass Bubbler (it is made to fit 4 different Utillian models)
Mount rubber to the glass tube
Run water into the bubbler (it’s tricky how it stays in there, just keep running water through it, and it’ll get there)
Mount atop the Utillian unit and fire it up

Now be prepared to take some mighty puffs off this rig! You can adjust the airflow by turning the little ring around the top of the battery unit, uncovering/covering four holes.

Next Time You Dab, Try Utillian!

Frequent readers here should be no stranger to the Utillian name, even up to a giveaway we did last summer. Through multiple reviewers and word of mouth, we have found their hardware to be top-notch in quality and design. For those of you saying, “Pete, you don’t normally gush like this” – well, contrasting how I’ve really ripped into some products on the site over the years, you know when I have something nice to say, I must really mean it.

Even the price works! Even sold separately, the Utillian 5 (V3) goes for $89.99 and the Glass Bubbler is $39.99. I honestly consider this as a unit, so figure ~$130 for the full rig. That’s a reasonable price. Consider that you’re doing essentially the same job as a Puffco Peak or an AUXO Cira. Or compare to your glass + torch rig; wax pens allow you to dab one-handed at the press of a button.

TVape also has a guide to the Utillian 5 V3 with full specs and a video tutorial.

Readers, isn’t it just sickening when Pete gushes all over a review like this? Share your experience with Utillian products, wax pens, or just random ol’ dabbing stuff here in the usual comments or in our forum – new and improved with 99% higher uptime!

The Hippie Pipe Analog Dry Herb Vape – Not Too Hip

Vaporizers

Penguin Pete

So, in our continued coverage of a million ways to vape cannabis, today we’re looking at The Hippie Pipe and the Double Jet Flame Torch Lighter. They are located at The Hippie Pipe website. For you kids who aren’t getting this reference, a “hippie” was a Boomer teenager of the more liberal, pro-drugs, beat generation persuasion, last current circa 1968. Using such an archaic term for their product is just one of many questionable decisions we will explore.

The Hippie Pipe retails for $79.99 and the double jet-flame torch goes for $29.99. Compared to the previously reviewed Vapman, another analog dry herb vape, this is an inexpensive price, so that’s a point in their favor.

Pros:

economical
easy load
easy to clean
attractive, compact design

Cons:

the temperature indicator is faulty
mouthpiece heats up
difficult to use
torch could easily burn your face off

Recommendations: I’m not sure where to start with this one, but (a) give it a better temperature indicator, (b) make it longer so it doesn’t transfer heat (c) include a mouthpiece (d) outsource the lighter design.

The Double Jet Flame Torch can burn your face off

Before we get to the Pipe, let’s talk about this torch. I don’t know what it is about torch design that is apparently so difficult, but those Dollar General torches they sell for ~$5 has so far beaten every manufacturer-supplied torch I’ve gotten. The Hippie Torch is a dual-flame jet lighter built Zippo-style, filled from a propane port on the bottom.

The Torch has an adjustable wheel on the bottom. In practice, it has a range from shut-off completely to “Burning Down the House” with little space in-between. Out of the two jets, one is stable while the other dances around wildly and sometimes shoots off a pyrotechnic display about two feet high. Furthermore, releasing the button does not shut off the flame right away. So use this carefully, if you use it at all.

Finally, the jet flame is better suited to a dab rig, while it is 10x overkill for The Hippie Pipe. Applying it to the Pipe’s small herb chamber makes it far too easy to burn the weed without ever stopping at the “vapor” stage.

The Hippie Pipe is tricky to use at best

First off, there is a tiny window on the business end of the Pipe which is supposed to tell you when the herb chamber is heated to the right temperature. It is so small as to be nearly impossible to see, especially when you’re busy surrounding it with flame. But even over that, by the time I saw so much as a fly’s eyelash showing up on the indicator, the herb was already burning. So I ended up ignoring that feature entirely and had better results using my instincts.

The load mechanism is one definite plus! It has a telescope design, extending a chamber opening that can hold, say, 0.15 grams of material. So you just depress the plunger and scoop ground herb into it. But you might want to give it a double-scoop and manually tamp down the pack, ensuring a load that is neither too sparse nor too dense.

Next, you heat the loaded end with the lighter. In the video, you can see that I try to do it their way the first time, and end up with burnt herb. The second time, I use a technique where I apply the flame for a count of five, back off for a second, re-apply for a count of five, etc. This lets the chamber heat more gradually.

Another problem is that the unit heats up, including the metal mouthpiece. So using it as anything more than a quick 1-2 hitter is inadvisable, or you could get burnt lips. When you DO get it loaded and heated just right, it has OK airflow and great flavor. Like all analog dry herb vapes, the flavor comes through very pure.

Usable if you work around design flaws

I should say that, like all analog vapes, this takes a lot of practice to use right. I still did manage to get some decent hits off the Pipe. But that was only after I disregarded the temperature indicator feature and ignored the instructions provided, heating it my own way. The Torch is to be used sparingly, if at all, in favor of one with a smaller flame.

The loading mechanism is definitely better than other analog dry herb vape experiences. As opposed to the fiddly funnel of the Vapman or the pen-and-cap design of the Dynavap, The Hippie’s spring-loaded plunger is a mere thumb-press and dip into your ground herb receptacle. But that’s about the only function where The Hippie Pipe comes in ahead of other analog dry herb vapes.

The Hippie Pipe gets only a qualified recommend

I wanted to like The Hippie Pipe more, because it is an ambitious design with some good ideas, but those ideas simply need more ironing out. It could use either a longer build or a separate mouthpiece, possibly even interchangeable mouthpieces, so it’s easier on the lips. The heating chamber could maybe stand to be thicker, to make burning the herb take longer. And the temperature indicator just needs a re-think.

The price, at $79.99, is very comparable to the Dynavap, so it’s a more economical choice than the Vapman, which is priced at €160, which translates to about $160 currently since the USD and Euro recently came into parity.

As for the Torch, at $29.99 I really expected better. It needs a better design so the dual jets fire evenly, and so that it shuts off when you shut it off.

HOWEVER, The Hippie Pipe might be suited to your use if you are an experienced dry herb vape user who is dedicated to sustainable vaping. When it comes to analog vapes, you get out of it what you put into it. I’m a bit of a klutz when it comes to analog vapes, so you might be more sure of yourself in applying flame to a little metal chamber.

Readers, share your dry herb vaping tips and experiences with using analog vapes here in the comments or in our sometimes-working forum.

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vape pen - search results

The Packaging is Out of This World!

The Legacy Pro Looks Sharp

The Airvape Legacy Pro (Apollo) is Too Pretty to Use

Is THCO Harmful?

I Have Vaped THCO; Am I Gonna Die?

Does the Danger of Vaping THCO Apply To Other Forms of Consumption?

What About THCO is Different From Other Alternate Cannabinoids?

Are the Other Cannabinoids Still OK?

How Do I Be Sure That I Am Vaping Safely?

What Do Cannabis YouTubers Have To Say About THCO?

Conclusions

The packaging is fun and easy to open

Mid effects for a pricier THC cartridge

The cart doesn’t taste like banana or biscotti

Our best THC carts list for Illinois 2023

Nature’s Grace Joos disposable: Flavorful, strong, and affordable

Verano Travelers: One of the most tasteful and potent disposables

IESO: Smooth and flavorful cartridge, fair strength

Cresco Labs Carts

Aeriz Carts

Bedford Grow Carts

As of now, prices for cartridges and tax in Illinois are pricey (August 2023)

Fake cartridges that have been spotted

Concluding the Illinois best cartridges list

The packaging is cute and feminine

The Friyay pen is like vaping a pack of Gushers

It’s a potent disposable vape pen, but you won’t get a lot of product

An energizing high that will give you a flare-up of creativity and energy

The pen is a little awkward to take pulls from

The packaging is straight to the point and shows you what you get

There’s virtually no taste, which could be good or bad

High potency, and a clean effect that helps ease anxious spells

Concluding this review

Minimalist Perfection

Innovative threaded USB charger

The Nutron is super simple!

The price is wallet-friendly!

Ease Up On Me; I Grew Up With Atari!

G Pen Hyer Assembly

The G Pen Hyer is Great at What It Does

Worth It Over An eRig?

CBDFx Does Not Hold Back on Flavor!

Potent CBD Effects

Is California Normally That Expensive?

#1: Nobody Died From Consuming Cannabis Until Cartridges Came Out

#2: We Will Never Get Cartridge Safety Standards Right

#3: The Majority Of Cartridges Are Fakes With Boof Oil

#4: Cartridges Are All Crap Anyway

SUCKS!

Am I the Bad Guy For Saying Maybe Carts Aren’t Worth the Trouble?

Every Vape is an Adventure!

What Was in This Vape Exactly?

Everything Else About Wild Orchard Zangria Was Awesome?

Is THC-O Just Bunk?

Hit-To-Draw Oilpens Rock!

Smooth, Great-Tasting Oil!

Great Potency and Effects!

The iDelta8 Obsidian is a Great Disposable

What a great surprise this was! For a CBD

The taste was great

Length they lasted me

Will I be using this brand again soon?

Editors note: This is a guest post, and does not reflect general staff opinion.

CBD Vape Juice Might be Helpful for Anxiety and Insomnia

It Can Have Neuro-Protective and Anti-Oxidative Effects

You Can Use CBD Vape Juice to Treat Diabetes

It Might Help You Quit Smoking

CBD Vape Juice Might Give Fast Onset of Effects

You Can Vape on the Go

Final Thoughts

The Despensary is hanging in there!

Hometown Hero Live Rosin Gummies

Charlotte’s Web gummies

Patsy’s Edibles

Urb Sweet Orange HHC-O Caviar Flower

TFW you’re a pizza restaurant and a dispensary moves in next door…

The Despensary : Kudos for sticking it out!

Editors note: This is a guest post, and does not reflect general staff opinion.

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