Issuu

ISSUE # 1 | Q1 2024

VAPING TAXES Pag. 4

DIFFERENT TYPES OF VAPES Pag. 24

LIVE ROSIN VS. LIVE RESIN Pag. 38

CONTENT

ISSUE #1 JAN 2024

Vaping Taxes in the United States and Around the World

Different Types of Vapes You Should Know About

Live Rosin vs. Live Resin: What’s the Difference & Which Is Better?

How to Tell if Your Vape Cart Is Real or Fake

Vaping and Nicotine Consumer Groups Around the World

Vape Bans: E-Cigarette Restrictions in the U.S. and Worldwide

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VAPING TAXES

IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD JIM MCDONALD | VAPING360

AS VAPING GROWS IN POPULARITY, IT BECOMES A NATURAL TARGET FOR GOVERNMENTS IN NEED OF TAX REVENUE. Because vapor products are usually bought by smokers and ex-smokers, tax authorities correctly assume that money spent on e-cigarettes is money not being spent on traditional tobacco products. Governments have depended upon cigarettes and other tobacco products as an income source for decades. Whether vaping devices and e-liquid deserve to be taxed like tobacco is almost beside the point. Governments see them pushing smokers away from tobacco, and they understand that the lost revenue must be made up. Since vaping looks like smoking, and there is substantial public health opposition to vaping, it becomes an attractive target for politicians, especially because they can justify the tax with a variety of questionable health claims. Vape taxes are now being proposed and passed regularly in the United States and elsewhere. Taxes are usually opposed by advocates for tobacco harm reduction, representatives of vaping industry trade groups, and vaping consumers, and they’re supported by tobacco control organizations and the lung, heart and cancer associations.

WHY DO GOVERNMENTS TAX VAPING PRODUCTS? Taxes on specific products—usually called excise taxes—are applied for various reasons: to raise money for the taxing authority, to change the behavior of those being taxed,

and to offset environmental, medical, and infrastructure costs created by the use of products. Examples include taxing alcohol to dissuade excessive drinking, and taxing gasoline to pay for road maintenance. Tobacco products have long been a target for excise taxes. Because the harms of smoking impose costs on the whole society (medical care for smokers), proponents of tobacco taxes say that tobacco consumers should foot the bill. Sometimes excise taxes on alcohol or tobacco are called sin taxes, because they also punish the behavior of drinkers and smokers—and in theory help convince the sinners to quit their wicked ways. But because the government becomes dependent on the tax revenue, a decline in the smoking rate creates a financial shortfall that must be made up with some other source of income, or else the government must reduce spending. For most governments, the cigarette tax is a significant revenue source, and the excise is charged in addition to the standard sales tax assessed on most consumer products. 5

HOW DO VAPE TAXES WORK? Taxes on specific products—usually called excise taxes—are applied for various reasons: to raise money for the taxing authority, to change the behavior of those being taxed, Most U.S. consumers pay a state (and sometimes also local) sales tax on the vaping products they purchase, so governments already benefit from vape sales even before excise taxes are added. Sales taxes are usually assessed as a percentage of the retail price of the products being purchased. In many other countries, consumers pay a “value added tax” (VAT) that works the same way as a sales tax. As for excise taxes, they come in a couple of basic varieties. One of the most common forms of vape tax is assessed at retail. Some taxes cover all vaping products (like New York State’s 20% tax), and others target e-liquid only. Often the tax is only charged on sales of nicotine-containing e-liquid. Wholesale taxes are ostensibly charged to the wholesaler (usually a distributor) selling products to a business that will resell them at retail sites in the state. The tax is usually a percentage of the wholesale price (cost). It may be assessed on all vaping products or just nicotine-containing ones. Although wholesale taxes are not collected from the end user of the product, the cost of the tax is usually factored into the retail price of the product. 6

VAPE TAXES IN U.S. STATES, TERRITORIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Before 2019, nine states and the District of Columbia taxed vaping products. That number more than doubled in the first seven months of 2019, when the moral panic over JUUL and teenage vaping that had grabbed headlines almost every day for over a year pushed legislators to do something to “stop the epidemic.”

CALIFORNIA

The California wholesale tax on “other tobacco products” is set yearly by the state Board of Equalization. It mirrors the percentage of all taxes assessed on cigarettes. Originally this amounted to 27% of the wholesale cost, but after Proposition 56 increased the tax on cigarettes from $0.87 to $2.87 a pack, the vape tax increased drastically. For the year beginning July 1, 2023, the tax is 56.32% of the wholesale cost for all nicotine-containing products.

VAPING TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES THERE IS NO FEDERAL TAX ON VAPING PRODUCTS IN THE U.S. BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS TO TAX VAPES, BUT NONE HAS SO FAR GAINED THE TRACTION NECESSARY TO PASS. As of early 2021, 29 U.S. states have a tax on vapor products, along with some cities and counties, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

ALASKA

Alaska doesn’t have a state tax, but some municipalities have their own vape taxes:

• Juneau Borough, NW Arctic Borough

and Petersburg Borough have identical 45% wholesale taxes on nicotine-containing products • Anchorage Borough has a 55% wholesale tax • Matanuska-Susitna Borough has a 55% wholesale tax

On July 1, 2022, California added a retail tax to the existing wholesale tax—12.5% on all nicotine-containing vaping products, including those bought online from retailers in other states.

COLORADO

The current tax in Colorado is 50% of manufacturer’s list price on all nicotinecontaining vapor products (including bottled e-liquid). The tax, approved by Colorado voters in 2020, launched in 2021 at 30%, escalated to 35% in 2022, then to 50% in 2023. It will rise to 56% in 2024, and finally 62% in 2027. The tax is 50% lower for products given a Modified Risk (MRTP) designation by the FDA (but no manufacturer of a liquid-based vaping product has even applied for an MRTP authorization).

CONNECTICUT

The state has a two-tiered tax on nicotinecontaining vape products: $0.40 per milliliter on e-liquid in closed-system products (pods, cartridges, cigalikes), and 10% wholesale on open-system products, including bottled e-liquid and devices.

DELAWARE

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

GEORGIA

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on e-liquid in closedsystem products (pods, cartridges, cigalikes), and a 7% wholesale tax on open-system devices and bottled e-liquid. The taxes apply to products with and without nicotine

HAWAII

A 70% wholesale tax on all vaping products.

ILLINOIS

A 15% wholesale tax on all vaping products. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine. In addition to the statewide tax, both Cook County and the city of Chicago (which is in Cook County) have their own vape taxes:

• Chicago assesses a $1.50 per unit tax

on any vaping product containing nicotine (bottled e-liquid or prefilled devices) and a separate $1.20 per milliliter tax on the liquid itself. (Chicago vapers have to also pay the $0.20 per mL Cook County tax.) Because of the excessive taxes, some vape shops in Chicago sell zero-nicotine e-liquid and shots of DIY 10

nicotine to avoid the high per-mL tax on the larger bottles • Cook County taxes products containing nicotine at a rate of $0.20 per milliliter.

INDIANA

A 15% tax on retail gross on all vaping product sales, with or without nicotine

KANSAS

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

KENTUCKY

A 15% wholesale tax on bottled e-liquid and open-system devices, and a $1.50 per unit tax on prefilled pods and cartridges. The taxes apply to products with and without nicotine

LOUISIANA

A $0.15 per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

MAINE

A 43% wholesale tax on all vaping products. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

MARYLAND

A 6% retail tax on all open-system vaping products (including nicotine-containing e-liquid) and a 60% tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid in containers with a capacity under 5 milliliters (pods, cartridges, disposables). In addition to the state tax:

e-liquid) and are transported in from out of state. However, for bottled e-liquid produced in Minnesota, only the nicotine itself is taxed

NEBRASKA

The state has no taxes on vaping products, but one city does:

• Montgomery County imposes a 30% • Omaha has included vaping products in wholesale tax on all vaping products, including devices sold without liquid.

MASSACHUSETTS

A 75% wholesale tax on all vaping products. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine. The law requires consumers to produce proof that their vaping products have been taxed, or they are subject to seizure and a fine of $5,000 for the first offense, and $25,000 for additional offenses

MINNESOTA

In 2011 Minnesota became the first state to impose a tax on e-cigarettes. The tax was originally 70% of wholesale cost, but was increased in 2013 to 95% of wholesale on finished products that contain nicotine (cigalikes, pod vapes, bottled

the city’s 3% tobacco tax since 2019

NEVADA

A 30% wholesale tax on all vapor products. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

NEW HAMPSHIRE

An 8% wholesale tax on open-system vaping products (including nicotine-containing e-liquid), and $0.30 per milliliter on closedsystem products (pods, cartridges, cigalikes)

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey taxes nicotine-containing e-liquid at $0.10 per milliliter in podand cartridge-based products, 10% of the retail price for bottled e-liquid, and 30% wholesale for devices

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico has a two-tiered e-liquid tax: 12.5% wholesale on bottled e-liquid, and $0.50 on each pod, cartridge, or cigalike with a capacity under 5 milliliters. The taxes apply to products with and without nicotine

NEW YORK

A 20% retail tax on all vapor products. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

NORTH CAROLINA

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

OHIO

A $0.10 per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

OREGON

A 65% wholesale tax on all non-cannabis “inhalant delivery systems,”, including hardware and “components” (which includes e-liquid). The tax also includes heated tobacco products (HTPs) like IQOS, but exempts all vaping products sold in licensed cannabis dispensaries. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

PENNSYLVANIA

A 40% wholesale tax on e-liquid and devices that are sold with e-liquid included. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

PUERTO RICO

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on e-liquid and a $3.00 per unit tax on e-cigarettes

UTAH

A 56% wholesale tax on e-liquid and prefilled devices. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

VERMONT

A 92% wholesale tax on e-liquid and devices— the highest tax imposed by any state. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

VIRGINIA

A $0.066 per milliliter tax on nicotinecontaining e-liquid

WASHINGTON STATE

A two-tiered tax charges $0.27 per milliliter on e-juice in pods and cartridges smaller than 5 mL in size, and $0.09 per milliliter on liquid in containers larger than 5 mL. The taxes apply to products with and without nicotine

WEST VIRGINIA

A $0.075 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

AS OF EARLY 2021, 29 U.S. STATES HAVE IMPLEMENTED TAXES ON VAPOR PRODUCTS. THESE TAXES VARY IN STRUCTURE AND RATE ACROSS DIFFERENT STATES. FOR EXAMPLE:

WISCONSIN

A $0.05 per milliliter tax on e-liquid in closedsystem products (pods, cartridges, cigalikes) only. The tax applies to products with and without nicotine

WYOMING

A 15% wholesale tax on all vapor devices and nicotine-containing e-liquid

•

California has both wholesale and retail taxes on nicotine-containing vaping products.

•

Colorado has a 50% wholesale tax on all nicotine-containing vapor products, with plans for further increases.

•

Several other states, such as Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and others, have implemented various forms of taxes on vaping products.

VAPE TAXES AROUND THE WORLD AS IN THE UNITED STATES, LEGISLATORS AROUND THE WORLD DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND VAPOR PRODUCTS YET. THE NEW PRODUCTS SEEM TO LAWMAKERS LIKE A THREAT TO CIGARETTE TAX REVENUE (WHICH THEY TRULY ARE), SO THEIR IMPULSE IS OFTEN TO IMPOSE HIGH TAXES AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. ALBANIA

A 10 leke ($0.091 US) per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

AZERBAIJAN

A 20 manats ($11.60 US) per liter tax (about $0.01 per milliliter) on all e-liquid

BAHRAIN

The tax is 100% of the pre-tax price on nicotine-containing e-liquid. That equates to 50% of the retail price. The purpose of the tax is unclear, since vapes are supposedly banned in the country

on wholesale distribution (in China). The new taxes were imposed beginning Nov. 1, 2022

COSTA RICA

A 20% wholesale tax on all vaping products and accessories

CROATIA

Although Croatia has an e-liquid tax on the books, it is currently set at zero

CYPRUS

A €0.12 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

DENMARK

BELGIUM

A €0.15 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

A DKK 2.00 ($0.30 US) per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

CANADA

ECUADOR

A federal tax of $1 CAD (about $0.75 US) per 2 milliliters (or fraction thereof) on the first 10 mL in any bottle, pod, or cartridge, then $1 per additional 10 mL (or fraction thereof). The tax applies to all vaping products, with or without nicotine. Individual provinces may have additional taxes of their own. The tax, which is assessed on manufacturers or importers, took effect Oct. 1, 2022, but retailers were allowed to sell older, untaxed products until Dec. 31, 2022

CHINA (PEOPLE’S CHINA)

REPUBLIC

China has a two-pronged wholesale tax, assessing a 36% rate on the production or import of e-cigarettes, and a separate 11% tax 16

A 150% wholesale tax on “other tobacco products” includes vaping products

ESTONIA

In 2018, Estonia imposed a €0.20 per milliliter excise duty on all e-liquid. In December 2020, the Riigikogu (parliament) suspended the tax—effective from April 1, 2021 and lasting until Dec. 31, 2022—with the goal of ending the large black market that has grown in the wake of the excessive tax (and a flavor ban). According to consumer nicotine group NNA Smoke Free Estonia, “self-mixed, cross-border and smuggled e-liquids account for 62-80% of the entire Estonian e-liquids market”

FINLAND

A €0.30 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

GEORGIA

A tax of 0.2 Georgian Lari ($0.066 US) on all e-liquid

GERMANY

A €0.20 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid. The tax took effect in 2022 at €0.16/mL, and increased Jan. 1, 2024 to its current level. It will rise again on Jan. 1, 2025 to €0.26/mL, and then again on Jan. 1, 2026 to €0.32/mL

INDONESIA

The Indonesian excise tax is 57%, and seems to only be meant for nicotine-containing e-liquid (“extracts and essences of tobacco” is the wording). The country’s officials seem to prefer that citizens keep smoking. In 2024, Indonesia has added an additional tax on vaping products, set at 10% of the excise tax

ISRAEL

On Feb. 16, 2023, the Israeli Tax Authority reduced the e-liquid tax slightly to 8.9 Israeli Shekels (NIS) per milliliter. (That’s about $2.50 US/mL—$75 for a 30 mL bottle!) The tax applies to e-liquid with or without nicotine, and includes pods, disposables, and bottled e-liquid. The tax takes effect immediately, although the Knesset (parliament) Finance Committee must approve it within 60 days, and the full Knesset can override the committee

ITALY

GREECE

A €0.10 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

Taxe rates of about €0.13 per milliliter for nicotine-containing e-liquid, and €0.08 ($0.10 US) for zero-nicotine products are set to remain in effect through 2022

HUNGARY

JORDAN

A HUF 20 ($0.07 US) per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

Devices and nicotine-containing e-liquid are taxed at a rate of 200% of the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value

KAZAKHSTAN

Although Kazakhstan has an e-liquid tax on the books, it is currently set at zero

KENYA

Kenya updated its excise duty rate on vaping products in 2022. The current rates are 40% for devices, and 70 Kenyan shillings ($0.57 US) per milliliter on e-liquid. The e-liquid tax would add about 17 U.S. dollars to the price of a 30 mL bottle of vape juice

KYRGYZSTAN

A 1 Kyrgyzstani Som ($0.014 US) per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

LATVIA

The unusual Latvian tax uses two bases to calculate excise on e-liquid: there is a €0.01 per milliliter tax, and an additional tax (€0.005 per milligram) on the weight of the nicotine used. Latvia updated its excise tax rates in October 2023, simplifying and increasing vaping and tobacco taxes. From March 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, e-liquid will be taxed at a rate of €0.24 per milliliter. From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, the rate will increase to €0.29/mL. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the rate will go up to €0.35/mL

LITHUANIA

A €0.12 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

MALAYSIA

A 10% tax on vaping devices and a 40 sen ($0.10 US) per milliliter tax on e-liquid. However, the government announced Oct. 29, 2021 that it would begin taxing nicotine-containing liquid, which will require a change in the law that prohibits sales of nicotine-containing products except by pharmacies. (In early 2022, this tax was postponed)

MALDIVES

Nicotine-containing e-liquid is taxed at a rate of 200% of the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value

MONTENEGRO

A €0.90 per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

NORTH MACEDONIA

An 0.2 Macedonian Denar ($0.0036 US) per milliliter tax on e-liquid. The law allows automatic increases in the tax rate July 1 of each year from 2020 to 2023

NORWAY

While a 4.5 Norwegian Krone ($0.51 US) per milliliter tax is on the books, Norway doesn’t allow the import or sales of nicotinecontaining vapes

PARAGUAY

The law classifies e-cigarettes as tobacco products, and taxes them at 16% (probably based on the wholesale price). However, most sellers don’t register the products as tobacco, but import them under other classifications

PHILIPPINES

A tax of 37 Philippine pesos (PHP) per milliliter for nicotine salt-based e-liquids, and 45 PHP per mL for freebase nicotine e-liquids. For both, the tax will increase by 5 pesos/mL each year until until 2023. From 2024 onward, the tax will increase by 5% each year

POLAND

A 0.55 Polish Zloty (PLN) ($0.14 US) per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

PORTUGAL

A €0.323 per milliliter tax on nicotinecontaining e-liquid

ROMANIA

A 0.52 Romania Leu ($0.12 US) per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid. There is a method by which the tax can be adjusted annually based on consumer price increases

RUSSIA

Disposable products (like cigalikes) are taxed at 50 rubles ($0.81 US) per unit. Nicotinecontaining e-liquid is taxed at 13 rubles per milliliter

SAUDI ARABIA

The tax is 100% of the pre-tax price on e-liquid and devices. That equates to 50% of the retail price

“A THREAT TO CIGARETTE TAX REVENUE (WHICH THEY TRULY ARE)”

SERBIA

A 4.32 Serbian Dinar ($0.044 US) per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

SLOVENIA

A €0.18 per milliliter tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid

SOUTH AFRICA

A 2.90 Rand (about $0.15 U.S.) per milliliter tax on all e-liquid. The tax took effect June 1, 2023

SOUTH KOREA (REPUBLIC OF KOREA)

The first country to impose a national vape tax was the Republic of Korea (usually called South Korea in the West)—in 2011, the same year Minnesota began taxing e-liquid. Currently the country has four separate taxes on e-liquid, each earmarked for a specific spending purpose (the National Health Promotion Fund is one). The various South Korean e-liquid taxes add up to a whopping 1,799 won ($1.60 US) per milliliter, and there is also a waste tax on disposable cartridges and

pods of 24.2 won ($0.02 US) per 20 cartridges. However, the tax apparently applies only to tobacco-derived nicotine products, leaving e-liquid made with synthetic nicotine untaxed

(UAE)

SWEDEN

UZBEKISTAN

A 2 Swedish krona (SEK) per milliliter ($0.22 US) tax on nicotine-containing e-liquid up to 15 mg/mL. E-liquid containing 15-20 mg/mL is taxed at 4 SEK/mL

TOGO

The tax is 100% of the pre-tax price on e-liquid and devices. That equates to 50% of the retail price

Global Tobacco Control says an excise tax of 500 Uzbekistani so’m per milliliter ($0.05 US) was introduced on e-liquid in 2020, but we could find no confirmation or additional details

Taxed up to 45% (believed to be based on the wholesale price)

UKRAINE

A 3 Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) ($0.11 US) tax per milliliter tax on all e-liquid

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DIFFERENT TYPES OF VAPES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

SPYROS PAPAMICHAIL | VAPING360

The first thing to understand about different vapes is that there are two main categories of vapes.

• Nicotine vapes: handheld devices powered by lithium-ion batteries designed to mimic the sensation of smoking without combustion. Nicotine options are available from 0% up to 5%, with flavors ranging from tobacco to desserts to unflavored.

• Cannabis/CBD vapes: portable battery-powered or larger desktop devices powered either by batteries or electrical power supplies. These devices are used with CBD, THC, or other botanicals, from dry herb to concentrates. There are other substances that people vape. Like various herbs and vitamins; some daring souls choose to even vaporize coffee. Many of those products and activities are on the fringes, but the devices used are no different from nicotine or cannabis vapes—they’re just different substances that happen to “work” in the devices. There’s some overlap between cannabis and nicotine vapes, like the classic vape pen, which functions in both realms. This may explain why it’s the most popular type of vape in existence.

NICOTINE VAPES While all nicotine vapes can be called “e-cigarettes”, that term is most commonly used for small devices that look similar to a cigarette in size and shape. But nicotine vapes don’t stop there.

DISPOSABLES

These are the simplest vapes you’ll find. Open the pack, and they’re ready for immediate use. Once you’re finished, you dispose of the device and use another. These are ideal devices for travel or for the busiest among us without the time to tinker with little gadgets. Disposables work great with high nicotine in providing a satisfying hit, which makes them work well as vapes to quit smoking by providing a quick entry into vaping.

ELF BAR BC5000

The Elf Bar made a splash in the disposable market and has quickly become one of the most recognizable vapes out there. The BC5000 comes with a 650 mAh battery and a whopping 15 mL of 50 mg nicotine salt juice, good for 5000 puffs. With an everexpanding catalog of flavors (42 and counting,) you’re guaranteed to find your all-day vape! + Small and convenient + Perfect for stealth vaping + Discreet + Affordable + Easy to use - Single-use increases waste - Flavor output is average - No refilling

NICOTINE VAPES POD VAPES

Pod vapes are some of the most practical vaping devices available. A pod vape is usually a two-piece device, similar to an e-cigarette, with one piece being the battery and the other a replaceable and often refillable pod. Pod vapes are usually affordable and very easy to use while performing at a higher level than most traditional e-cigarettes. They are also a perfect fit for nicotine salt e-liquid, making them a very efficient vape for nicotine delivery.

GEEKVAPE WENAX H1

The Geekvape Wenax H1 is an MTL pod vape that’s all about versatility. It comes with two pod options and three power settings, making it a great fit for everything from mid-strength regular nicotine to higher-strength salts. The H1 is powered by a 1000 mAh battery that charges through Type-C, and its pods hold 2 mL of e-liquid. + Very easy to operate + Practical form factor + Refillable or replaceable pods + Button or draw-activated + Ideal for stealth vaping - Quality and performance can vary greatly between devices - Low vapor - Frequent recharging of batteries

NICOTINE VAPES BOX MODS

Box mod kits are larger and more powerful vapes. The extra size usually means better performance and longer battery life, usually in the form of external vape batteries. Most box mods come with settings and features such as variable wattage or even temperature control. The included tanks can be mouth to lung clearomizers or direct lung sub ohm tanks. The most common configuration for a box mod starter kit would be a single-battery mod with variable wattage and temperature control capabilities, paired with a mid-range sub ohm tank.

GEEKVAPE AEGIS M100 (MINI 2)

The sequel to the Aegis Mini is an IP68 rated mod that fires up to 100 watts and houses a 2500 mAh battery. It comes equipped with Geekvape’s Stable Output Buckboost technology and introduces a handy lock switch that makes it safer to carry. The M100 houses a large color screen and comes in six color options. + Many options to choose from + Higher performance + Long-running internal or external batteries + Can be used with other tanks - Complicated - Too advanced for novices - Expensive - Not very pocket-friendly

NICOTINE VAPES REGULATED SQUONK STARTER KITS

These are the most advanced vapes on this list. Technically a sub-category of box mod starter kits, squonk setups have enough features to set them apart that are worthy of their own category. Squonkers provide a practical method for feeding your atomizer with e-liquid. A typical regulated squonk setup bundles a squonk capable box mod and a bottom-fed RDA. The mod houses a squeezable bottle that is connected to the atomizer deck through a shallow 510, practically functioning as an external tank section. Due to the bottle occupying the space where a battery would have been placed, a single battery squonk mod will have roughly the same size with a dual-battery box mod. As a result, most squonk kits come in single battery configuration, but dual-battery squonkers are available for those who don’t mind the extra bulk.

VANDY VAPE PULSE V2 BF

The Pulse V2 is the latest squonk mod to come from the collaboration between Vandy Vape and Tony B. It is a 2×700 mod that fires up to 95 watts and features an innovative bottomfilling design. The Pulse V2 is compatible with the Vandy Vape app and comes in a variety of colors, including resin and carbon fiber designs. + Very high-performing devices + RDAs can be built to one’s needs + No need to drip + Increases liquid capacity + Turn non-tanks basically into tanks (extra liquid storage) + Freshly soaked wicks offer fresh flavor - Complex; not for beginners - Small parts to keep up with and maintain - Required cleaning to ensure clean flavor performance

CANNABIS AND CBD VAPES These vaporizers come in various forms. Similar to smoking accessories like bongs, bubblers, bowls, and dab rigs, cannabis and CBD vapes are plentiful. Still, when it comes down to it, there are two main types: desktops and portables. Portables can be small to hardly pocketable but still portable, with desktops needing to be parked at your session station. Desktop vaporizers are typically the most efficient option for dry herb and wax. But if you’re on the go, there are solid portable and pen-style vapes that provide vaporization with all the benefits of the substance and none of the issues of smoke, either obnoxious odors or negative health effects from inhaling smoke.

CBD VAPE PENS

A refillable CBD vape pen is any type of vape pen that can be filled with CBD e-juice. It usually has a tank that attaches to a rechargeable 510 thread battery. CBD pens come in a simple and convenient pen-style form factor and are generally smaller and lighter than the average mod and tank combo. Some of them are suitable for direct-lung vaping while others provide a tight mouth to lung draw. 32

AVIDA PUFF FULL SPECTRUM CBD PEN

The Avida Puff Full Spectrum CBD pens contain Avida’s USAgrown and hemp-derived CBD distillate. Each rechargeable pen comes with 400 mg CBD and a variety of terpenes and cannabinoids, including up to 0.3% THC. Experience the benefits of the entourage effect in six all-natural terpenoid-based flavors with Avida’s discreet and super-stylish vape pens. + Small and convenient + Perfect for stealth medicating + Better bioavailability than tinctures + Discreet + Affordable - Low power - Single-use - Low vapor

CANNABIS AND CBD VAPES WEED AND THC OIL PENS

A weed pen, or THC oil pen, is a relatively simple two-part electronic device used to vaporize THC/CBD oil or distillate. Every weed pen houses a small battery that heats your oil in an atomizer cartridge containing a wick and a heating coil, or just a ceramic coil. This heating process turns concentrates into vapor. Previously, THC carts were only available in cannabis dispensaries. Today delta 8 carts are growing in popularity. They provide the physical and mentally stimulating effects of THC, but are derived from hemp instead of marijuana. That means they are more accessible to a wider range of people who previously didn’t have access to cannabis products.

KANDYPENS SPECIAL-K

The Kandypens Special-K Black is a swanky and stealthy take on the classic weed pen design. It works as good as it looks, and it comes with two 1 mL tanks, temperature control battery with three heat settings, and several handy accessories. With a lifetime warranty on the battery, the Special-K Black is the pen to get! + Small and convenient + Personal use for small sessions + Perfect for stealth medicating or for recreational use + Discreet + Versatile + Low odor + Easy to use - Small batteries need more frequent charges - Lacking power - Required cleaning - Not very advanced but prices can be a bit high

CANNABIS AND CBD VAPES PORTABLE CANNABIS VAPORIZERS

Portable dry herb vaporizers are small personal devices designed for vaporizing marijuana or legal high-CBD strains. They have an internal oven that heats up cannabis at precise temperatures to produce vapor.

MIGHTY

The Mighty is a portable device that vapes like a desktop unit. It has a very unique aesthetic, resembling a power tool more than a vaporizer. The Mighty is a bigger and better version of the popular Crafty. It does a great job at evenly baking your fine to medium ground herb to produce up to 15 puffs per session. + Small and convenient + Personal use for small sessions with others + Perfect for stealth medicating or for recreational use + Discreet + Affordable + Low odor + Easy to use - Need to recharge battery - Typically have several parts to keep up with - Required cleaning

CANNABIS AND CBD VAPES DESKTOP VAPORIZERS

Some of the first vaporizers belong to this category. These devices are the powerhouse of all vapes. They work with convection and/ or conduction heating, thoroughly and efficiently extracting cannabinoids from the flower. Desktops can be the most intense vapes, but they can also be dialed down to the most comfortable temperature the user wants. These vapes are self-contained heaters that bake dry herb at specific temperatures to produce vapor. The vapor is then inhaled using a tube called a whip, or using traditional vaporizer bags popularized by the most famous vaporizer: the Storz and Bickel Volcano.

VOLCANO HYBRID

The new Volcano Hybrid has a classic balloon and whip system with hybrid convection/ conduction heating between 104° F – 446° F; operated by a digital display or through an Android app. The herb chamber holds 0.5 grams and heats in as little as 1 minute, making it the fastest and most user-friendly Volcano to date.

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LIVE ROSIN VS. LIVE RESIN:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE & WHICH IS BETTER?

HAYLEY HEIDELBAUGH | VAPING360

The huge variety of cannabis products now available is a blessing for enthusiasts, but having so many choices can be a barrier for confused newcomers. Concentrates can be especially challenging to navigate. From budder and shatter to terp sauce, the scope is as overwhelming as it is impressive. Modern concentrates offer something for everyone. Live resin and rosin, including live rosin, are extracts you’ll frequently encounter nowadays when shopping for cannabis products, and it’s worth learning about the range of products created using these extraction methods. It is in the postproduction manufacturing phase when cannabis processors apply tools and tricks to turn the concentrate into vape oil for carts or concentrates in a variety of textures.

Live cannabis products have seen increased popularity over the past few years. When we call a weed product “live,” we simply mean that it was produced from freshly harvested plants. The flowers are not dried and cured, but flash-frozen right after harvesting and processed within a couple of days. That isn’t always true of rosin, by the way. There is live rosin, but not all rosin is made from uncured plants. Here’s how live resin and live rosin measure up against each other, and what sets them apart from resin and rosin.

WHAT ARE ROSIN AND LIVE ROSIN? Before exploring their live versions, we’ll need to distinguish rosin from live rosin. It’s possible to create rosin products without flash-freezing the plant materials. Classic rosin is also quite new to the cannabis scene, though it’s closely related to one of the longest-standing concentrates there is: hashish. Depending on whether you’re making rosin or live rosin, you must treat the flower differently before it’s pressed. Standard rosin is made using either lightly cured flower, hash, or kief. Live rosin is produced from flash-frozen bud and trim. As fresh bud contains too much moisture for rosin production, live rosin is made by first turning the fresh plants into bubble hash, also known as ice water hash. Both rosin and live rosin are solventless, relying on pressure and low heat to extract the THC oil from the flower’s oil glands (trichomes). Rosin made from fresh plants requires higher temperatures than rosin made from hash or sift. You won’t generally find mass-produced flower rosin, as it can contain high levels of contaminants like lipids, waxes, and excess plant matter. Live rosin is a subtype of hash rosin, though not all hash rosin is live. It’s an “all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares” situation. Rather than cured flower, hash rosin is made from compressed trichomes that were agitated and separated from the plant. Trichomes are the translucent, ice-like stalks peppering the bud’s surface. These are the structures responsible for terpene and cannabinoid production. You can also craft rosin from unrefined trichomes, a loose powder known as kief. Although rosin and live rosin have much in common, each end product is distinct, with a unique consistency and profile. Terpene 40

preservation is a focus in all kinds of rosin manufacturing. Regardless, as live rosin requires less processing before it’s pressed, this form tends to be the most terpene-rich. The rosin we now know and love, by the way, was a happy accident, invented during a hash production flub in the mid-2010s.

WHAT ARE RESIN AND LIVE RESIN? As rosin and live rosin are distinct products, so are resin and live resin. The tie between the resins is a bit looser, however. Unlike rosin, resin isn’t a substance that must be mechanically extracted from the plant material. It’s the natural content of the plant’s trichomes. Many extraction techniques rely on cannabis resin, of course, but female plants will exude it with or without intervention. When you run your fingers along the surface of cannabis flower, the sticky sap you encounter is resin. This natural excretion is a pathway to other kinds of extracts, including rosin and hash. Both come from cannabis trichomes and resin, and their end forms depend on the extraction technique, as well as post-processing. Cured resin and live resin are also resin derivatives. You might even hear that “cannabis reclaim”— the leftover residue found in your pipe or rig after a session—referred to as resin. However, that’s not what we’re talking about today. Live resin is a golden, terpene-rich extract produced from flash-frozen flower and hydrocarbon solvents. It can be processed and turned into a variety of concentrates, including vape oil, sauce, shatter, and budder. The first live resin was created by hash legend William “Kind Bill” Fenger, who was seeking a concentrate with the flavor and aroma of fresh, uncured marijuana.concentrates there is: hashish.

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HOW ARE LIVE ROSIN AND LIVE RESIN ALIKE? Many cannabis extracts share qualities with one another. Sometimes, that doesn’t go beyond the plant they come from. Other extracts have subtle differences setting them apart, but are otherwise identical. Live rosin and live resin sit comfortably in the middle. While they’re distinct extracts with their own attributes and production styles, they share a few key characteristics.

FULL-SPECTRUM EXTRACTS

Both live rosin and live resin are full-spectrum cannabis products. This places them on the opposite end of the spectrum from distillates. You probably gathered it from the name, but distillates are produced by distilling out the majority of an extract’s cannabinoids and terpenes. You’re instead honing in on a specific component, such as delta 9 THC. That’s why isolates have such a high concentration of a single cannabinoid. Terpenes are lost during distillation, but can be reintroduced at a later production stage. If you’re looking to max out on THC, you may prefer distillates over live resin or live rosin. On the other hand, full-spectrum products contain the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes that were in the bud they were 44

made from. The goal is to preserve the plant’s natural profile as accurately as possible without destroying or distilling particular components. Every terpene in live resin and rosin was there from the beginning. Not all terpenes are preserved, of course, but a fair number are.

HIGH TERPENE CONTENT

These extracts are terpene-rich, and that’s a big reason so many people prefer them over products that sacrifice flavor to maximize THC content. Terpenes determine the taste and aroma of cannabis. Extracts with a high terpene content are often called “terpy” by users, insinuating that the product has a robust, earthy flavor and a prominent aroma. Even if you’re indifferent to the flavor or aroma of your cannabis products, you may prefer full-

spectrum products for the entourage effect, in which the natural components of the plant work synergistically to enhance each other’s effects. Cannabinoid- and terpenerich extracts are the best way to achieve this type of high. When you consume the flower’s full profile, you’ll experience more than the individual impact of its components. You’ll also feel what happens when they team up. The entourage effect may lead to smoother, longer-lasting highs than those derived from strictly THC. Further, this effect seems to boost energy and focus, rather than causing a lethargic high. It may also promote relaxation, but again, you probably won’t feel weighed down by the effects. Products can be highly potent without causing you to feel sluggish. Terpenes are arguably the most volatile component of natural cannabis flower. Unless the processor takes proper precautions during and after extraction, it’s easy to lose a large chunk of the bud’s terpene content.

SOURCED FROM LIVE, FLASHFROZEN BUD

Live rosin and live resin originate from flower that was frozen after harvesting. The unprocessed flower is kept in an industrial freezer, usually for up to 36 hours before processing begins. The longer manufacturers wait, the more terpenes are destroyed by oxygen and environmental conditions, defeating the purpose of live extraction.

HOW ARE LIVE ROSIN AND LIVE RESIN DIFFERENT? PRODUCTION METHOD

Neither live resin nor live rosin are made from bud that’s been traditionally dried and cured. To produce most extracts, plant material is harvested and left for several weeks to dry. Curing comes next, with the pruned flower confined to an airtight environment for at least a month. Extraction only begins after this process is complete. Live, flash-frozen flower is required for both live resin and live rosin production, but depending on the extract you’re aiming for, treatments are different. Hydrocarbon solvents are needed to create live resin. Butane and propane are standard picks, although ratios depend on the manufacturer’s preference. Higher levels of butane tend to create the most terpenehearty extracts. Authentic live resin is always going to be terpy, though, regardless of which solvents are used. Since heat and light are the greatest enemies of terpenes, most would be lost if the flower was dried and cured first. Live rosin doesn’t require solvents of any kind. This extract is made from bubble hash created from flash-frozen bud, ice water, and agitation in a bubble bag. When all is said and done, the hash can be pressed into rosin with low heat. Even an everyday hair straightener will work—with smaller yields, of course. It’s possible to make rosin or live rosin for personal use at home, unlike live resin. Applying and purging solvents is a tricky task and one that involves some danger. It involves specialized equipment and a great deal of expertise, and is best left to professionals.

COST

To an extent, both live resin and rosin are considered high-end products, including their respective vape oils. Authentic, high-quality 46

live resin can be pricy, but live rosin has it beat. Solventless extracts are generally the most complicated to produce. They’re lowyield, requiring more bud and time on the extractor’s end. Considering the added labor and cost of materials, consumers can expect a higher average cost. If your goal is to save money and continue enjoying your rosin, consider making it at home. The process is simple, though it involves several steps and can be time-consuming. There’s little else stopping you from making your own bubble hash and pressing it with a hair straightener—no need to handle solvents.

CONSISTENCY AND TEXTURE

Untouched live resin and live rosin extracts are easy to distinguish by appearance alone. Before it’s been processed into a specific type of concentrate, live resin is sugary and malleable. The extract is highly versatile, and you’ll find in it an assortment of forms: sticky granules, whipped budders, and smooth oils, to name a few. Its color is usually golden or amber, but can vary in depth. Differences in production can lead to particular hues. Live rosin is more opaque, with a creamy or honey-like consistency. Depending on how it’s finished, the exact texture and shade vary.

LIVE ROSIN AND LIVE RESIN INVOLVE DISTINCT EXTRACTION PROCEDURES LEADING TO UNIQUE PRODUCTS. HERE’S WHAT SETS THESE POPULAR EXTRACTS APART.

WHICH IS BETTER: LIVE ROSIN OR LIVE RESIN? Now that you know the gist of live resin and live rosin, it’s time to address the big question: which is superior? Sadly, there really isn’t a universal answer. Each of these extracts has unique qualities, setting it apart from the rest, and depending on your priorities as a consumer, your preferences may be different. Maybe neither extract is the one for you. That’s also perfectly okay; regardless of their popularity, live resin and rosin aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking to save money, you’ll probably want to stay away from live rosin—unless you have some time on your hands and

are confident in your concentrate-making abilities. With live resin production becoming more streamlined and cost-effective, products are becoming more affordable all the time. Still, live resin extract can’t be crafted at home. Although solvents are purged from the extract, some consumers are cautious about using products made with propane and butane. If you’d prefer to keep chemical solvents out of your lungs and take the more natural path, go with live rosin. Ultimately, the best way to determine which you prefer is trial and error. Live resin and live rosin are both packed with potent cannabinoids and delicious terpenes, and either extract can be dabbed or vaped with a 510 thread battery. We recommend giving both extracts a try.

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HOW TO TELL IF YOUR VAPE CART IS

REAL OR FAKE

JIM MCDONALD | VAPING360

Those active in cannabis and vaping circles have heard a few vape cart horror stories. They go something like this: an unsuspecting person snags a cheap cart from a shady supplier, only to suffer devastating health effects. This often involves lung damage, a form of acute respiratory distress syndrome misnamed by the CDC “e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury” (“EVALI”). It’s critical to stay aware of the ingredients you’re vaping. Fake THC and delta 8 cartridges can be dangerous, and while rare, they do exist. Unscrupulous manufacturers sometimes use cost-saving but potentially deadly additives like vitamin E acetate, the primary source of the “EVALI” lung injuries. Learning how to tell if a prefilled THC cart or a delta 8 cart is a fake (counterfeit) or just a low-quality rip-off is important. In the current booming cannabis market, there are a lot of shady sellers who cut costs by sacrificing product quality—and some are even willing to sacrifice their customers’ health. Here’s how to tell.

Potential health hazards of using a fake cart include:

• Respiratory damage, including the risk of

“EVALI” • Coughing, shortness of breath, and airway irritation • Vomiting and nausea • Fatigue and weakness • Chest pain The build quality, materials, and construction of your vape cart are also important. Black market carts are far more likely to leak or overheat, sometimes causing burns or injuries. Without conducting your own chemical testing to make sure your cart doesn’t contain dangerous ingredients, the best sign of a high-quality product is the source. Don’t buy from shady street sources or vendors that aren’t willing to provide detailed testing.

HOW TO TELL IF A CART IS “LACED”: SIGNS OF A CONTAMINATED VAPE IMaybe you’re wondering what the harm really is, aside from an unsatisfying high. When you inhale chemicals that aren’t approved for that purpose, there’s no promise of safety. It’s a massive gamble with every puff.

HOW TO TELL IF A THC CART IS FAKE Knowing the red flags can keep THC and delta 8 vape cartridge users protected against harmful ingredients—often before the product is ingested.

HAS THE VAPE CART BEEN TESTED AND APPROVED?

Although regulations vary based on state, there’s certain info you can expect to find on the packaging of regulated cannabis products. Fake delta 9 THC carts often lack key production details, including:

• Manufacturing and packing dates • License number • Batch and lot numbers You can also check the cart packaging for a QR code. Scanning this code can be a useful tactic to find out if the product has been fully tested and approved. Also, take a look at the serial number printed near the QR code. If

this number doesn’t match the one listed on the brand’s site, toss the product. You’ve got a fake cart on your hands. State-regulated cannabis sellers are required to share lab results with the public. If the cartridge is safe to use, it shouldn’t be difficult to find this information online. This is especially easy to do if you already have the product’s license number. There are no similar rules in many states for hemp-derived cannabinoid products like delta 8 THC or HHC. However, conscientious manufacturers and retailers provide many of the same safeguards. Look for websites that publish testing results, and explain what ingredients are in the cart. If they don’t want to share details about their products, pass.

FAKE VAPE CART PACKAGING DESIGN

It’s not a guarantee, but there are some trends in fake cart packaging design. Consider it an early red flag worth listening to. Black market sellers typically buy premade packaging

from Chinese dealers. These aren’t actual cart brands. If the box is covered with popular cartoon characters or other images that are probably trademarked or copyrighted, it’s probably a fake cannabis product. Chances are, reputable cart brands aren’t going to plaster their packaging with your favorite childhood cartoon or video game characters. Legitimate cart vendors are likely to change up their designs every now and again. If you remember seeing the exact same packaging when you came across a product years ago, this could also be a warning sign. Although it would be impossible to name every fake cart “brand” on the market, we’d like to highlight a few of the most common. These packages always contain black-market THC oil, and have been linked to severe lung injuries:

• Dank Vapes • Exotic Carts • Cereal Carts • Chronic Carts • West Coast Carts VAPE CART COPYCATS ARE OUT THERE

BLACK MARKET SELLERS TYPICALLY BUY PREMADE PACKAGING FROM CHINESE DEALERS. THESE AREN’T ACTUAL CART BRANDS. creating a knockoff brand of their own, fake cart sellers will steal branding from a respected manufacturer and sell counterfeit carts. You can check the brand’s website for images of current packaging, as many fake brands fail to imitate or stay up to date. And, again, the package should contain the manufacturer’s state license number, and the lot and batch numbers can be researched on the company’s website. This problem is mostly easy to avoid: regulated delta 9 products are only sold in state-licensed dispensaries. If you find them on the street, they’re fakes. Delta 8 and other hemp-derived products are mostly sold directly by the manufacturer or by approved retailers. Check with the manufacturer before buying from any source you don’t 100 percent trust.

Many fake brands are simple to spot, but copycats of well-known delta 9 brands are more complicated. Sometimes, rather than 53

CANNABIS CART QUALITY

You can tell a lot more about a cart after you’ve opened the box. Give the cart a quick swish and pay attention to the liquid’s consistency. High-quality cannabis oil should be viscous without excessive air bubbles. Try dipping the cart downwards and paying attention to how bubbles move. If they rush from one side to another, the liquid is thin or simply low-quality. Either way, you don’t want to ingest it. Caution: cannabis oil adulterated with vitamin E acetate looks and behaves like pure cannabis oil. The suggestions above are good ways to tell if other additives have been used, but are not reliable to exclude possible adulteration with vitamin E acetate. An unpleasant flavor or aftertaste can also point to a faulty cart. Burned or weird-tasting vapor doesn’t happen with quality oil and a well-made cart, as long as it’s vaped at the correct voltage.

PAY ATTENTION TO THC AND DELTA 8 CART PRICING Never forget the old adage: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you see a particular vape cart selling for a much lower price from one seller than from others in the same area, it might be a counterfeit. As noted before, buy vape carts from trusted sources. Legitimate delta 9 carts are only sold in state-regulated dispensaries. And the most reliable source for hemp-derived products like delta 8 THC carts is the manufacturer.

CAN YOU IDENTIFY A FAKE CART BY ITS COLOR? THC, CBD, and delta 8 oils are usually a light pink, straw, amber, or gold color—or they can be completely clear. Some THC oils contain more plant material than others (live resin 54

carts, for example), and tend to be a slightly darker gold. Adding terpenes to cannabis extract can also affect the color. As you use a vape cart, the oxygen drawn into the extract from vaping causes it to oxidize and darken. This is natural. Exposure to heat and light can also darken cannabis oil. But a brand new cart should never be dark brown or black, which could indicate poor production or storage practices. The bottom line is that you can’t tell if a cart is fake strictly by the color. But a new cart with dark brown, black, or hazy oil—or visible solid materials floating in it—could be contaminated or very old. Those carts should be avoided, whether they’re fake or not.

WHAT DOES A FAKE CART HIGH FEEL LIKE? Whether it’s THC or delta 8, fake carts can sometimes be identified by the high they provide. When the goal is to cut costs, the additives and cannabis substitutes aren’t selected based on quality. Cannabis oil carts are powerful, containing 3-10 times as much THC per puff as the smoke from a joint or pipe. If you don’t get high immediately from a delta 9 cart, you should be suspicious. A fake cart high varies from person to person. Users have reported headaches after trying fake cartridges, or the overall experience of a “dirty high.” But the most common “effect” is simply a weak high, caused by the manufacturer diluting the THC with other substances to save money. If you’re familiar with how your body normally responds to cannabis and something feels off, listen to your gut. It could be the result of a “laced” cartridge, possibly containing spice—a truly awful substance made with powerful synthetic cannabinoids—known for its bad side effects. 55

WHAT DO FAKE CARTS TASTE LIKE? A vape cart that has a metallic or burned taste may be made with substandard materials or be poorly constructed—a good sign of a lowquality product that may be counterfeit. Legitimate unflavored vape carts should leave a smooth, mostly tasteless impression on the mouth, while flavored carts should provide notes that correspond to the flavor listed. If the vaporizing process is creating unwanted flavors, there are clearly ingredients that don’t belong in the liquid’s formulation. In many carts, the processed cannabis oil is mixed with terpenes to add flavor. Often in low-priced carts, the manufacturers will use non-cannabis terpene sources, which may make the flavor weird or unnatural. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re fake, but they’re not exactly desirable either.

HOW TO KNOW IF A CART HAS VITAMIN E ACETATE In 2019, an outbreak of lung injuries caused by illicit vape carts killed 68 people and hospitalized nearly 3,000 others. Despite the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to blame nicotine vaping for what the agency termed “e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI),” the actual culprit was vitamin E acetate contained in black market THC carts. Illicit cannabis processors and sellers found that THC oil diluted with vitamin E looked and behaved just like pure THC in a cart, so

saved money by mixing their cannabis oil with products containing vitamin E. When consumed as a supplement or topical cream, vitamin E acetate is perfectly safe. But for cannabis vapers, the clear, tasteless oil can be deadly. Inhaling vitamin E acetate can cause a powerful form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), defined by severe and possibly permanent lung damage. Despite the danger, vitamin E acetate may still be used as a thickening agent in black market THC oil used in fake vape carts. Interestingly, the biggest giveaway that a product contains vitamin E acetate is contrary to what you’d expect from a cheap cart. If the liquid looks extremely thick and has little to no air bubble movement, it could be the result of vitamin E acetate. The best way to avoid vitamin E acetate? Stick to legitimate, fully tested delta 9 THC from legal dispensaries, and delta 8 carts from known manufacturers. If you follow the precautions described above, you won’t need to worry about running into this deadly chemical.

POSSIBLE FAKE THC CART CONTAMINANTS Although it’s the most well-known, vitamin E acetate isn’t the only danger that can be found in a knockoff vape.

the same ballpark with the price you’ll pay for a long hospitalization. When you purchase from a trusted vendor, vaping a THC or delta 8 cart can be a relatively low-risk way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. But vape carts from a sketchy dealer will always be a complete crapshoot.

NOT ALL THC AND DELTA 8 CARTS ARE CREATED EQUAL At the end of the day, it’s important that cannabis users do what they can to protect themselves from risky products. While illicit cart sellers will continue to take advantage of a growing market, cannabis enthusiasts should stay vigilant and aware of what they’re purchasing. Illegitimate brands aren’t restricted to the typical additives (mostly terpenes) found in legitimate carts. Dodgy growing and processing processes can lead to black market carts becoming contaminated with unsafe chemicals and byproducts. Potential contaminants include: • Pesticides (myclobutanil, avermectin, bifenazate, etc.) • Heavy metals (including lead in poorly made carts) • Hydrogen cyanide In particular, hydrogen cyanide can develop when the myclobutanil pesticide is heated, leading users to inhale this poisonous substance. Trusted vape manufacturers undergo testing to ensure they don’t contain these lung-damaging toxins.

It all comes down to this: if the seller doesn’t give you a reason to trust them and the purity and efficacy of their product, move along to the next. With so many options out there, there’s no longer any reason to waste time on shady sellers. Protect yourself (and get a better high) by turning to trusted online vendors and dispensaries for vape carts and other cannabis products.

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ARE FAKE THC AND DELTA 8 CARTS ALWAYS DANGEROUS? Black market THC products are not always dangerous—but health risks are present often enough that the risk isn’t worth it. The money you might save buying untested carts isn’t in

VAPING AND NICOTINE CONSUMER GROUPS AROUND THE WORLD

JIM MCDONALD | VAPING360

There are more than 50 vaping and nicotine consumer rights groups around the world now, with more forming all the time. For many of the world’s vapers and non-combustible nicotine users, it has never been easier to find an established consumer group that is fighting to protect their right to use low-risk smoking alternatives. But almost three times as many countries don’t have a consumer organization. Among the countries without a group that represents vapers are Australia, Japan, Israel, Russia, Turkey and Poland. Only one Arabic-speaking country—Tunisia—has a consumer vaping group. Some of those countries ban nicotine sales, but not all of them. And even in countries with consumer organizations, most vapers don’t participate. They may not be aware that consumer organizations exist—or even that such groups are necessary. Others simply don’t understand that there is a war against vaping that can only be successfully fought by banding together. And some assume they’ll be constantly nagged for donations. Most groups do rely on contributions from members, but few charge a defined membership fee. Since they earn respect among elected officials and regulators by presenting themselves as the legitimate representative of a large number of consumers, recruiting members can be even more important than raising money. These groups want and need new members.

A large membership roll provides a contact list of people willing to make calls, send letters, and make noise on social media when vaping is threatened. Most successful groups have members with a variety of skills, often including lawyers and writers. Groups typically align with outside experts like sympathetic doctors and academics, who often are willing to testify at hearings on behalf of vapers. It’s important for vapers to join and lend their voices to these groups that exist to fight for vapers’ rights.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND A GROUP IN YOUR COUNTRY?

WHY DO CONSUMERS NEED THEIR OWN ORGANIZATIONS? Since vaping arrived in Europe and the Americas around 2007, it’s been subjected to endless attacks by misinformed or publicityseeking politicians, nervous regulators, and professional anti-nicotine organizations. In fact, before vaping came along, anti-nicotine groups didn’t care about nicotine at all; they were called anti-smoking groups, and cigarettes were their main concern. But vaping changed all that. An attractive alternative to cigarettes that offered not just nicotine, but also many of the sensory aspects of smoking, e-cigarettes helped a lot of smokers leave cigarettes behind. And because of that success—and because vaping looks close enough to smoking to frighten anti-smokers—almost from day one, vaping has inspired suspicion, misunderstanding, fear and opposition from skeptics, and has always required passionate defenders to keep it available and affordable. Trade organizations that represent manufacturers and retailers of vaping products are an important part of the struggle. Vendors opposing laws and regulations that threaten their businesses usually have more financial clout than consumers. They’re able to hire lobbyists and lawyers to fight bad legislation. Typically, industry trade groups have good relationships with consumer groups. But industry representatives don’t always have the same interests as consumers, and sometimes they’re willing to negotiate compromises that vapers themselves would never support. For example, vape shops and convenience stores may be willing to allow bans of online sales, some e-liquid manufacturers and shops support nicotine strength restrictions, and the largest manufacturers may support e-liquid taxes or even flavor bans. Trade representatives may exaggerate the risks of DIY e-liquid making, which could lead to further legal restrictions. 64

Vapers need their own representation. Typically, vaping consumer organizations fight for all vapers and non-combustible nicotine consumers, whether they use bottled e-liquid or pod vapes, or even snus or other nicotine products. They support the precepts of tobacco harm reduction (THR), which demand that authorities allow sales of low-risk nicotine products, and share truthful information about them with consumers.

GLOBAL NICOTINE CONSUMER RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AFRICA Africa – regional organizations Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA)

AFRICA – NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS CONGO (DRC)

Tobacco Harm Reduction Congo (THR Congo)

KENYA

Tobacco Harm Reduction Kenya (THR Kenya)

MALAWI

Tobacco Harm Reduction Malawi (THR Malawi)

NIGERIA

Tobacco Harm Reduction Nigeria (THR Nigeria)

TUNISIA

Association de la Cigarette Electroniques pour Arrêter de Fumer (ACEAF)

UGANDA

Tobacco Harm Reduction Uganda (THR Uganda)

AMERICAS AMERICAS – REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Asociación por la Reducción de daños del Tabaquismo Iberoamérica (ARDT IBEROAMÉRICA) (Latin American Association for Tobacco Harm Reduction)

AMERICAS – NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARGENTINA

Asociación de Vapeadores Argentina (ASOVAPE Argentina)

BRAZIL

Diretório de Informações para Redução dos Danos do Tabagismo (DIRETA) THR Brasil

CANADA

Tobacco Harm Reduction Association of Canada (THRA)

CHILE

Asociación de Consumidores Vapeadores de Chile (ASOVAPE Chile) Vapear No Es Fumar

COLOMBIA

Asociación Colombiana de Vapeadores (ASOVAPE Colombia)

COSTA RICA

Asociación Costarricense de Vapeadores (ASOVAPE Costa Rica)

ECUADOR

Asociación de Vapeadores del Ecuador (ASOVAPE Ecuador) 65

MEXICO

Pro-Vapeo México A.C. Mexico y el Mundo Vapeando AC (MMV)

PANAMA

Asociación por la Reducción de Daños del Tabaquismo de Panamá (ARDT Panamá)

PARAGUAY

Asociación Paraguaya de Vapeadores (ASOVAPE PY)

PERU

Asociación Peruana de Vapeadores (ASOVAPE Peru)

UNITED STATES

NEW ZEALAND

Aotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA)

PAKISTAN

Association for Smoking Alternatives in Pakistan (ASAP)

PHILIPPINES The Vapers

TAIWAN

(Taiwan Tobacco Harm Reduction Association, TTHRA)

THAILAND

ENDS CIGARETTE SMOKE THAILAND (ECST)

Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA)

EUROPE

VENEZUELA

EUROPE – REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Asociación de Vapeadores de Venezuela (Asovapevzla)

ASIA/PACIFIC ASIA/PACIFIC – REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Coalition of Asia Pacific Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA)

ASIA/PACIFIC – NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) EU for Snus

EUROPE – NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AUSTRIA

Österreichischer Dampferclub (ÖDC)

BELGIUM

INDIA

Association Indépendante Des Utilisateurs de Cigarette Electronique (Aiduce)

INDONESIA

UNION BELGE POUR LA VAPE – BELGISCHE DAMP

Association of Vapers India (AVI)

Asosiasi Vaper Indonesia

Bond (UBV-BDB)

CYPRUS

NETHERLANDS

DENMARK

NORWAY

ESTONIA

Norsk Dampselskap (NDS)

Cyprus Vaping Association (CVA)

Dansk e-Damper Forening (DADAFO)

New Nicotine Alliance-Suitsuvaba Eesti (NNA-Smokefree Estonia)

FINLAND

Vapers Finland

FRANCE

Association Indépendante Des Utilisateurs de Cigarette Electronique (Aiduce) SOVAPE

GERMANY

Bundesverband Rauchfreie Alternative e.V. (BVRA) Die Interessengemeinschaft E-Dampfen e.V. (IG-ED) Die Interessengemeinschaft ExRaucher (ExRaucher IG)

GREECE

(Greek Vapers Club)

HUNGARY

Villanypára Egyesület (Electricity Steam Association)

Actief Voor Dampen (AcVoDa)

Nikotinalliansen Norge (Nikan)

PORTUGAL

Associação Portuguesa de Vaporizadores (APORVAP) Ohms Do Vapor (The Ohms of Vapor)

ROMANIA

Asociatia Consumatorilor de Produse Alternative cu Nicotina (ACPAN)

SLOVENIA

Združenje vejperjev Slovenije (ZVS)

SPAIN

Asociación Española de Usuarios de Vaporizadores Personales (ANESVAP)

SWEDEN

New Nicotine Alliance-Sweden (NNASweden)

UNITED KINGDOM

New Nicotine Alliance (NNA-UK) Snus Users Association

IRELAND

New Nicotine Alliance Ireland (NNA-Ireland)

ITALY

Associazione Nazionale per i Vapers Uniti (ANPVU)

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VAPE BANS:

E-CIGARETTE RESTRICTIONS IN THE U.S. AND WORLDWIDE JIM MCDONALD | VAPING360

GOVERNMENT ATTITUDES TOWARD VAPING AND NICOTINE VARY. In the United Kingdom, vaping is essentially encouraged by government health agencies. Because smoking creates a costly burden for the UK’s National Health Service, the country stands to save lives and money if smokers switch to e-cigarettes. Many other countries also allow a regulated vaping market, but are less enthusiastic about the practice. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has had authority over vapor products since 2016, but has refused to create a plain system of standards for e-cigarettes and e-liquids. In recent years, some U.S. states have imposed

flavor and online sales bans. Canada somewhat followed the U.K. model for a short time, but has recently imposed nicotine-strength limits and extreme flavor restrictions. There are more than 40 countries that have some type of ban on vaping—either on possession and use, sales, or importation, or a combination. What we have attempted here is to list U.S. state flavor and online sales bans, and the sales and use bans imposed in other countries.

U.S. BANS ON FLAVORED VAPES AND ONLINE SALES The FDA has federal authority to regulate vaping products. In September 2020 the agency began reviewing Premarket Tobacco Applications (PMTAs), and has signalled it will not authorize flavored products without extraordinary evidence. Whether the agency will be successful creating an unwritten standard that eliminates legal flavored products (except tobacco and menthol) may be determined by federal courts. Most vape bans in the U.S. happen at the state and local levels. And while a few California cities—notably San Francisco—have banned sales of all vaping products, most American vape restrictions involve flavors and online sales. There are only a few of each, despite the large number of vaping bans that have been proposed in state legislatures in recent years—proof that grassroots opposition can stop bad legislation.

ARKANSAS – ONLINE SALES BAN

Tobacco permits issued to Arkansas businesses only allow face-to-face transactions, so online sales are prohibited

CALIFORNIA – FLAVOR BAN ON IN-STORE SALES

California now bans the in-store sale of vaping products in flavors other than tobacco— with or without nicotine. The statewide law, approved by voters in 2022, does not ban online sales, but some localities have stricter laws

GEORGIA – ONLINE SALES BAN

Georgia allows only face-to-face retail transactions of vaping products, so online sales are prohibited

HAWAII – ONLINE SALES BAN FROM

MAJOR CITIES WITH FLAVOR BANS

Include Chicago, IL; Los Angeles (takes effect in 2023), San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose, CA; and Boulder, CO. Hundreds of smaller cities and counties— mostly in California—have flavor bans, as do some larger cities whose bans have since been superseded by state bans (like New York City and Newark, NJ).

COMPLETE BANS ON VAPING PRODUCT SALES

have been adopted by San Francisco and some smaller California cities.

OUT OF STATE

Hawaii bans online sales from outside the state, except to licensed retailers

MAINE – ONLINE SALES BAN

Maine bans online sales, except between licensed businesses

MASSACHUSETTS – FLAVOR BAN

The first statewide flavor ban was passed in late 2019 by Massachusetts. It includes all tobacco products, and prohibits sales of all vape flavors except tobacco

NEW JERSEY – FLAVOR BAN

New Jersey’s ban covers all flavors except tobacco. Legislators decided not to ban menthol cigarettes after realizing how much tax revenue the state would lose. The governor signed the flavor ban and an increased tax on vaping products, but vetoed the attached 20 mg/mL nicotine-strength limit 73

NEW YORK – FLAVOR BAN + ONLINE SALES BAN

create a permanent ban on all vape flavors except tobacco

The New York flavor ban, which covers all flavors except tobacco, was passed in April 2020. The state also adopted an online sales ban (of all vaping products) at the same time

SOUTH DAKOTA – ONLINE SALES BAN

OREGON – ONLINE SALES BAN

UTAH – ONLINE SALES BAN

RHODE ISLAND – FLAVOR BAN

VERMONT – ONLINE SALES BAN

Oregon bans online sales, except between licensed businesses

In March 2020, then-governor Gina Raimondo bypassed the state legislature and used the Department of Health to 76

Shipping of all tobacco products (including vapes) is prohibited in South Dakota

Utah bans online sales, except between licensed businesses

Vermont bans online sales, except between licensed businesses.

COUNTRIES THAT BAN VAPING PRODUCT SALES OR USE In some nations, vaping is completely illegal, including both sales and possession. Prohibition is most common in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Australia has a bizarre prescription-only model for vaping products, and unauthorized importation can result in huge fines. In Japan, nicotine vaping products are illegal, but heated tobacco products like IQOS are completely legal and widely used.

countries, the laws are ignored and black markets flourish. In others, they’re enforced (but those still have black markets too). If a country is not listed, vaping is either allowed and regulated, or there is no specific law governing e-cigarettes (as of now anyway). This isn’t meant as a definitive legal guide for traveling vapers. If you’re visiting an unfamiliar country you should first check with an upto-date official source like your country’s state department, or the travel bureau of the country you’re visiting.

Some countries have outright bans on use and sales, others just ban sales, and some ban only nicotine-containing products. In many 77

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

CAMBODIA

ARGENTINA

CHILE

Legal to use, illegal to sell

AUSTRALIA

Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell

Legal to use, illegal to sell (except approved medical products)

Legal to use, illegal to possess nicotine without a doctor’s prescription. Importing nicotine illegally can be punished with fines of up to $222,000. Penalties for possession vary from one state to the next, but can also be quite severe

COLOMBIA

BANGLADESH

EGYPT

Bangladesh currently has no laws or regulations specific to vaping. However, in 2021 the government announced it would update the country’s tobacco control law with an outright ban on the sales of e-cigarettes

BHUTAN

Legal to use, illegal to sell

BRAZIL

Legal to use, illegal to sell

BRUNEI DARUSSALAM Legal to use, illegal to sell

Legal to use, illegal to sell (however, the prohibition is widely disregarded)

EAST TIMOR

Believed to be banned

Legal to use, illegal to sell—although the country may be on the verge of regulating vaping products

ETHIOPIA

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell

GAMBIA

Believed illegal to use, illegal to sell

GHANA

Legal to use, illegal to sell (except when prescribed by a doctor)

HONG KONG (A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA) Legal to use, illegal to sell since 2022

INDIA

Legal to use, illegal to sell. In September 2019, the Indian central government banned sales of vaping products. The government, well aware that 100 million Indians smoke and that tobacco kills nearly a million people a year, did not make any moves to reduce access to cigarettes. Not coincidentally, the Indian government owns a large share of the country’s largest tobacco company

IRAN

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell

JAMAICA

Legal to use, illegal to sell nicotine-containing products without a medical license

JAPAN

Legal to use, legal to sell devices and zeronicotine e-liquid, but illegal to sell nicotinecontaining liquid (although individuals can

import nicotine-containing products with some restrictions). Heated tobacco products (HTPs) like IQOS are legal and extremely popular

KUWAIT

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (LAOS) Illegal to use, illegal to sell

LEBANON

Legal to use, illegal to sell

MACAU (A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA)

Possibly legal to use, illegal to sell. On Dec. 5, 2022 a law banning the manufacture, distribution, sale, import, export, and transport in and out of Macau of all vaping products will take effect. While personal use may be technically legal, there seems to be no way to acquire products without violating the import or transport bans 79

MALAYSIA

Legal to use, illegal to sell nicotine-containing products. Although consumer sales of nicotinecontaining products is illegal, Malaysia has a thriving vaping market. Authorities occasionally raid retailers and confiscate products. Sales of all vaping products (even without nicotine) are banned outright in the states of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Penang and Terengganu

OMAN

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell

PALAU

Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell (as of May 29, 2023)

PANAMA

Legal to use, illegal to sell

MAURITIUS

QATAR

Legal to use, illegal to sell

Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell

MEXICO

SEYCHELLES

Probably legal to use, illegal to sell. The Mexican president issued a decree banning sales of all vapes and heated tobacco products in May 2022. The law includes nicotine-free products.

Legal to use, illegal to sell. However, the country announced in 2019 its intention to legalize and regulate e-cigarettes

Some manufacturers—including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco—and vendors have challenged the government position in court, filing individual complaints and receiving favorable judgements. Unfortunately, these “juicio de amparo” (protection trials) apply only to the specific complainant and the decisions cannot be broadly applied by all sellers. According to Mexican vape advocate Roberto Sussman, the amparo process is difficult and expensive, especially for small businesses.

Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell. As of 2018, possession of vapes is a crime, punishable by fines and even prison time. However, the threat of prosecution doesn’t prevent a thriving black market

SINGAPORE

SRI LANKA

Legal to use, illegal to sell

SURINAME

Legal to use, illegal to sell

MYANMAR

SYRIA

NEPAL

TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA)

Believed to be banned

Legal to use, possibly illegal to sell (although the government itself seems unsure)

NICARAGUA

Believed illegal to use, illegal to sell

NORTH KOREA (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA) Banned

Banned: illegal to use, illegal to sell

On Jan. 12, 2023, Taiwan passed a ban on sales and use of e-cigarettes. The law will take effect 30 days after it is published by the government—probably in February.

THAILAND

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell. Thailand has earned a reputation for enforcing its ban on importation and sales of vaping products with several high-profile incidents in recent years, including detaining and even deporting tourists caught vaping

TIMOR-LESTE

Legal to use, illegal to sell

TURKEY

Legal to use, illegal to import. Importation of vaping products is illegal in Turkey, and when the country rteaffirmed its ban in 2017, the World Health Organization issued a press release cheering the decision. But Turkey’s laws are conflicting, and there is a vaping market and a vaping community in Turkey

TURKMENISTAN

Believed legal to use, illegal to sell

UGANDA

Legal to use, illegal to sell

UNITED STATES

Legal to use, legal to sell—but sales of products not authorized by the FDA became technically illegal as of Sept. 9, 2021. Although no state has banned sales of vaping products outright, many have bans on flavored products or online sales. Some California cities, notably San Francisco, have banned sales of all e-cigarettes

URUGUAY

Legal to use, illegal to sell

VATICAN CITY

Believed to be banned

VENEZUELA

In August 2023, the Venezuelan health ministry banned the sale and personal use of all vaping and heated tobacco products after President Maduro ordered the ministry to evaluate the possibility of a ban

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