Comparing a cigarette to a vape cart isn’t as simple as it might seem. While both deliver cannabinoids, they do so differently regarding absorption puff count. A cigarette provides quick cannabinoid delivery with around 1-2 mg per stick. At the same time, vape carts offer more gradual absorption, often containing enough cannabinoids to match or exceed a pack of cigarettes, depending on usage style.
Because vaping habits, puff frequency, and cannabinoid strengths vary widely, finding a direct one-to-one comparison is tricky.
In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences and similarities between cigarettes and vape carts to help you better understand how they compare. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of what to expect from both and how to manage your cannabinoid intake effectively.
How Many Hits From A Cigarette Equals 1 Cart?
When comparing traditional weed cigarettes with vapes, it’s essential to understand that the two deliver cannabinoids differently.
Weed Cigarettes: A weed cigarette (often referred to as a joint or pre-roll) contains a specific amount of flower, typically between 0.5g to 1g, with varying levels of THC or HHC, depending on the strain. Smoking a full joint delivers cannabinoids through combustion, where some of the plant material is burned off, and the user inhales the smoke containing THC and other compounds.
Vape Carts: Vape cart uses a concentrated oil or distillate, usually containing higher levels of THC or HHC in each hit. For example, a 1g cartridge can contain up to 90% THC, meaning that even a few puffs can deliver a substantial dose of cannabinoids. This difference in concentration makes it challenging to draw a direct comparison between hits from a vape and a traditional weed cigarette.
Puff Count Comparison: If we consider a single weed cigarette, which typically provides 10-20 draws, a vape cart may only require 4-5 hits to achieve a similar amount of THC, depending on the concentration of the oil and the length of each draw. Vaping, being more efficient in cannabinoid delivery, usually results in faster and stronger effects, while joints may offer a more gradual build-up.
Which One Is Better, A Cigarette Or A Cart?
When comparing weed cigarettes (such as pre-rolled joints with THC or HHC) to vape carts, the differences mainly revolve around cannabinoid delivery, purity, potency, and convenience.
1. Potency and Efficiency
Weed cigarettes often consist of ground cannabis flower or hemp with HHC. The effects depend on the strain and amount of flower packed into the roll. However, smoking leads to some cannabinoid loss due to combustion, which can reduce the overall potency of the experience.
2. Control Over Dosage
One key advantage of vapes is the ability to control dosage more precisely. A single weed cigarette provides around 10 to 20 draws, which may lead to overconsumption for new users or those with lower tolerances. In contrast, with vape carts, users can take a few hits, assess the effects, and continue as needed, making it easier to fine-tune their experience.
3. Health Considerations
While both methods involve inhalation, vaping does not produce the harmful byproducts associated with combustion.
4. Convenience and Discretion
Vape carts are designed for portability and discreet usage. Unlike a weed cigarette, which has a distinctive and lingering smell, vapes emit vapor with minimal odor, making them ideal for public or social settings. They are also easier to carry and use on the go.
5. Flavor and Terpenes
Weed cigarettes retain more of the terpenes present in the flower, providing a more full-bodied experience. However, vape carts often include added or extracted terpenes, offering a cleaner and more enhanced flavor profile without the burnt taste that sometimes comes with smoking.
What Is The Strongest Vape?
When determining the strongest cannabis vapes, the key factor is the type of cannabinoid concentrate and its potency. Here’s an overview of common types of vapes and their strength:
- THC Vapes: THC (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) vapes are known for their high psychoactive potency, with cartridges often containing 80-90% THC. This makes them one of the most intense options, delivering immediate and powerful effects.
- THCA Vapes: THCA vapes are filled with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. Upon heating, THCA converts to THC through decarboxylation, leading to an equally strong psychoactive effect. THCA vapes are prized for purity and typically include a mix of THCA crystals and terpenes, resulting in a smooth, potent hit.
- HHC Vapes: HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol) is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid. HHC vapes are known for providing a milder high than Delta-9 THC but stronger than Delta-8. HHC offers a balanced experience that appeals to users seeking effects without being overpowered.
Which One is the Strongest?
- THC vapes are the most intense in terms of raw psychoactive strength due to their high THC concentration.
- THCA vapes can match THC vapes, offering flexibility with similar potency and added purity.
- HHC vapes provide a moderate experience, serving as a middle ground between Delta-8 and Delta-9.
What Vape Is Closest To A Cigarette?
For smokers looking to transition to vaping, finding a device that closely mimics the experience of smoking a cigarette can be significant. Here are a few characteristics of vapes that are designed to feel similar to smoking a cigarette:
- Pod Systems: These small, easy-to-use devices closely mimic a cigarette’s draw and throat hit. They are typically sleek and compact, making them easy to carry like a pack of cigarettes.
- Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Devices: These devices are designed to simulate the way people smoke cigarettes. The user draws vapor into their mouth before inhaling it into their lungs, which closely resembles the action of smoking.
- Automatic Draw: Some vaping devices have an automatic draw feature, which means they activate when you inhale without the need to press a button. This feature makes the user experience very similar to smoking a cigarette.
- Tobacco-Flavored E-Liquids: For those who want the taste as well as the feel of smoking, tobacco-flavored e-liquids can replicate the flavor of cigarettes, making the transition to vaping easier for recent ex-smokers.
Conclusion: Cigarettes Vs. Carts!
Choosing between cigarettes and vape carts depends on what you prioritize. Cigarettes (whether nicotine-based or cannabis pre-rolls) provide a traditional experience with gradual effects. However, smoking leads to cannabinoid loss and exposure to combustion byproducts.
Vape carts offer advantages in potency, efficiency, and control. They deliver concentrated cannabinoids with fewer harmful byproducts, resulting in a cleaner and stronger high. Vaping allows for faster effects due to higher bioavailability; users can manage their dosage more precisely.
For those who value convenience and discretion, vapes are ideal. If you seek an intense and immediate experience, vape carts are the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a traditional, slow-building effect, cigarettes may be more appealing. Hence, the decision comes down to your lifestyle and desired effects.