Crew Blog

Anyone close to or directly in the cannabis industry knows the excitement of croptober. For outdoor growers, it’s one of the year’s most bountiful and time-consuming months. Without maximum efficiency, you could miss out on maximizing the period.  So, from improving your yields for extraction purposes to increasing quality or fine-tuning output for desired ratios and streamlining post-harvest practices, it’s important to prepare for Croptober with a clear and concise strategy.  That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to maximizing croptober to help. Keep reading to learn more about croptober weed, including how Vape-Jet can support preserving and protecting the precious fruits of the grower’s labor!  Use Effective Growing Season Strategies In cannabis, like so many things in life, you reap what you sow. As a result, your croptober weed yields and success heavily depend on the in-season cultivation practices you implement. To ensure the success of your operation, consider the following best practices that leading cultivators rely on for achieving maximum yields, particularly in extraction:  Conduct Pre-Harvest Preparations Again, preparation is key to croptober cannabis harvesting success. So, before the plants come down, here are the best practices leading operations follow to maximize efficiency.  Harvest Cannabis Plants Effectively Now, here is where the magic happens. The plants have grown from clone to maturity and are ready to harvest. The harvest techniques and transportation methods are crucial for the most effective and efficient extraction. Next, let’s learn more about both.  Techniques Timing and technique are crucial when harvesting cannabis plants for extraction purposes. While we’ve already covered how to time your harvest, here are some techniques to keep in mind for harvesting cannabis plants effectively. Many facilities immediately freeze the material for live resin extraction and simply take down entire plants or large branches to save time. However, depending on your extractor’s preference or extraction type, wet trimming can reduce plant material, helping to save space and efficiency.  Wet trimming entails removing large fan leaves but keeping sugar leaves because they also have a light coating of valuable trichomes. Some cultivators harvest early in the morning when the concentration of terpenes is believed to be at its peak. Other growers harvest and hang entire plants to dry before processing, which can be more time-efficient for large operations.  Transporting and Handling Cannabis Regardless of the harvesting technique, be sure to handle plants gently to minimize trichome loss and use clean, sharp tools to prevent contamination. From start to finish, it’s crucial to maintain a clean environment and wear gloves to preserve the integrity of the resin for extraction.  Transporting material from one facility to another requires careful planning and execution to maintain product quality and comply with regulations. If transporting between locations, use climate-controlled vehicles to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, typically around 60-70°F and 45-55% relative humidity.  Ensure all transportation complies with local and state regulations, including proper documentation and chain of custody records. This includes using tamper-evident seals and even considering GPS tracking for added security. When transporting dried product, it is recommended to use airtight, light-proof containers to preserve cannabinoids and terpenes. If you are keeping it frozen, using insulated containers with dry ice will help maintain freezing temperatures.  Lastly, always prioritize discretion during transport to minimize security risks, and train staff on proper handling and transportation protocols to ensure consistency and compliance throughout the harvest process. Post-Harvest Processing Next, we’ll highlight the post-harvest stages beyond the plant, from bud to oil.  Drying If the flower material for live products isn’t freshly frozen, it’ll go through a drying stage to remove excess moisture. To maintain and protect the integrity of the plant’s natural expression of cannabinoids and terpenes, it’s crucial to monitor this phase carefully and closely.  Curing  Curing is a process that’s not required for extraction purposes (it helps shelf-stability for buds and smokable flowers) but can be beneficial in some ways. For instance, cured material can be easier to work with for traditional solvent-based extracts like BHO and CO2-extracted oils, producing higher yields with enhanced flavor profiles in some cases.  Trim and Use Excess Trim for Vapes Utilizing excess cannabis trim for vape products is an effective way to maximize the value of harvest byproducts. Trim, consisting of sugar leaves and small buds, contains significant amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes, making it suitable for extraction.  To create vape products, processors typically use methods like CO2 or hydrocarbon extraction to isolate the desired compounds from the trim. After winterizing the resulting crude oil to eliminate waxes and lipids, distillation is performed to refine and concentrate the cannabinoids.  Some brands enhance distillate with strain-specific terpenes to create full-spectrum vape oils for more potent, flavor-neutral options. You could also process fresh frozen trim for live resin extraction, offering broader terpene profiles for a more robust flavor experience.  When using trim for vapes, it’s crucial to ensure proper testing for contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals, as these can become concentrated during the extraction process. While trim-derived vape products may not command the premium of flower-extracted options, they offer a cost-effective way to create high-quality vape oils. This allows cultivators and extract brands to monetize what might otherwise be considered waste material, maximizing total ROI. Storage Once dried and cured, storing the material in airtight, light-proof containers made of glass or food-grade stainless steel is best to minimize terpene and cannabinoid degradation from light and oxygen exposure.  Temperature and humidity control are crucial to preserving a flower or extract’s natural expression, as its cannabinoids and terpenes determine its quality and integrity. Proper storage techniques not only maintain the cannabinoid and terpene profiles but also contribute to the overall quality and yield of the extracted product. Start Extraction and Filling Vapes The faster you can begin extraction and fill vapes, the quicker your product will hit the shelves to turn a profit. Hence, the importance of making each stage of the process that much more efficient. To finish our guide, let’s talk about efficiency when preserving the integrity

With the rise of cannabis vape use and sales (especially amongst the growing Gen-Z and Millennial target markets), it’s no surprise aspiring cannapreneurs look to capitalize on the market. Of course, starting a high-quality cannabis vape brand is no simple feat.  The cannabis plant and market have their own complex nuances that vape brands must learn to master to gain success.  Luckily, it helps to learn from those with industry experience and use their expertise as a roadmap. So, if you’re here to learn how to start a vape brand, this guide will make the process that much more straightforward.  Keep reading to learn how to start a cart or disposable vape brand with our comprehensive guide.  Understand the Cannabis Vape Industry In 2023 alone, the vape sector of the US cannabis industry was responsible for 4.3 billion in  Sales. But before you start chasing profits, it’s crucial to understand the vape industry as a whole to avoid costly mistakes.  Legal and Regulatory Considerations Of course, like any business, legal and regulatory concerns are the first factors to consider when learning how to start a vape brand. For the cannabis industry, this is even more important as regulations vary from state to state, county to county, and city to city. In fact, some areas prohibit cannabis products entirely.  In locations where cannabis is legal, strict regulatory requirements apply to all industry parts – cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail sales. Lastly, review the tax regulations specific to cannabis products in the area where you plan to operate, as they can impact pricing strategies.  Getting Licensing and Permits Again, for any business, securing proper licensing and permits is a critical step in establishing a cannabis vape brand. However, in the cannabis industry, this process is much more complicated and, again, varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  For a vape brand, you’ll likely need a manufacturing license to produce vape products and, in some areas, a distribution license to transport them. Some areas have caps on the number of permits issued, making the application process highly competitive.  No matter where you’re applying to launch your vape brand, expect rigorous background checks, financial disclosures, and facility inspections as part of the licensing process. You may also need to obtain permits related to zoning, building safety, and environmental impact.  Additionally, some jurisdictions require approval from multiple agencies, such as the health department and cannabis control board. All in all, the application process can be lengthy and costly, often taking months or even years to complete. The best tip? Get a lawyer or expert consultant to help you navigate the process.  Compliance Requirements After navigating the initial legal and regulatory maze and getting the necessary licensing and permits, remaining in compliance comes into play. Vape products often face additional scrutiny due to concerns over safety and youth appeal. So, compliance requirements will address factors such as:  Additionally, advertising restrictions may limit marketing efforts, which should be considered when building your vape brand’s overall sales strategy.  Maneuver Through Taxation and Banking Issues Although cannabis is legal, medically or recreationally, at the state level in the majority of US states, it’s still not legal at the federal level. Federal law classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, creating obstacles in financial operations.  This complicates taxation and banking for brands, including vape brands.  Despite state-level legalization, Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits deducting ordinary business expenses, leading to higher effective tax rates. Maximizing allowable deductions requires meticulous record-keeping and strategic financial planning.  Limited banking services complicate matters even more for new disposable vape brands. Many financial institutions avoid cannabis clients due to federal regulations. This often results in cash-heavy operations, increasing security risks and complicating financial management.  Some businesses turn to state-chartered banks or credit unions that are more willing to work with the industry. Alternative financial services, like cryptocurrency or cannabis-specific payment processors, are emerging but come with their own regulatory uncertainties.  Again, to navigate these issues, it pays to hire the experts. Many cannabis vape brands employ specialized accountants and legal advisors familiar with the industry’s unique challenges.  Get Production and Supply Chain Management Going The next step when learning how to start a vape brand? Starting production and getting your supply chain going. Of course, it’s not just going—but going efficiently—that drives profits. To complete our guide, here are the final steps to take when building your high-quality cannabis vape brand.  Source from the Right Supplier A common saying in the extract business is “quality in, quality out,” and for vape distillate, resin, or rosin, that means quality flower. Of course, to keep production flowing smoothly, your vape brand will require quality management and reliable partnerships, too.  A reliable supplier ensures consistent quality and potency of cannabis extracts, which directly impacts product efficacy and user experience.  The right supplier can also offer a diverse range of strains and formulations, allowing for product differentiation in a competitive market. They can even cultivate custom genetics designed to produce higher levels of terpenes for specific flavors, enhanced cannabinoid combinations for ideal effects, etc.  Additionally, a trustworthy supplier relationship can provide stability in pricing and supply chain, which is critical for maintaining inventory and meeting customer demand. Beyond manufacturing, ethical sourcing practices, including sustainable or organic cultivation methods, can also elevate your brand’s image and appeal to conscious consumers.  Set Up Manufacturing Process Establishing a compliant and efficient manufacturing process is critical for a cannabis vape brand. To do so, here are some simple steps to follow:  Manage Inventory and Distribution So, you’ve made the goods; now what? Post-manufacturing, the efficiency of your operations relies on the efficacy of your vape brand’s inventory and distribution processes. Most importantly, your precious extracts have specific storage requirements to retain their original quality and purity.  Be sure your facility is equipped with cool, dark rooms for inventory storage, and consider this during distribution and transportation to maintain a high-quality brand image, too. To finish, here are a few tips to keep

Getting to know cannabis concentrates types. Explore the different types, extraction methods, and more on Vape-Jet!

Getting to know cannabis concentrates types. Explore the different types, extraction methods, and more on Vape-Jet!

Understanding decarboxylation and how it affects extracts is crucial to vape products’ overall quality and brand loyalty. In fact, a commonly asked question of our team is, “How much decarb loss can we expect with our live resin/rosin?”  To answer, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to extracts and decarboxylation. Here, we’ll cover all the basics, like the definition of decarboxylation and how the process affects extracts. In addition, we’ll dive deep into what type of decarb loss to expect and how to maintain optimal environments for terpene preservation.   So, next, let’s get into decarboxylating, a.k.a. decarbing.  The Decarboxylation Process for Extracts  Generally speaking, decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxylic acid group from a molecule. For cannabis extracts specifically, when THCa converts to THC upon applying heat, the carboxylic acid group transforms into CO2 gas. Put another way, each molecule of THCa that decarboxylates, degrades into one molecule of THC and one molecule of CO2 gas. Most of these CO2 molecules bubble out of the extract naturally during the decarb process. However, some will remain in the extract solution and must be removed before filling cartridges, a process called degassing. To do so, extractors must manually agitate the solution to allow the dissolved CO2 to form bubbles and pop; degassing prevents what’s known as “champagne” cartridges—you know, the ones with “bubbly” inside.  If not degassed after decarb, the oil can foam out of the cart when filling cartridges. This is due to the leftover CO2 bubbling out of solution since it’s naturally agitated while moving through the pump.  How Decarboxylation Affects Extracts  Of course, that’s just the underlying basics of decarboxylation for extracts. Beyond ensuring your extract is decarbed for efficient filling, optimal decarbing conditions are essential for ensuring customer satisfaction.  As we mentioned previously, decarboxylation is the process responsible for changing THCa in an extract into THC. This is an especially crucial step for all-in-one vapes or vape cartridges, as THCa will crystallize if it is above 50% by weight. Once it’s crystalized, it will clog the vape, leaving it otherwise unusable. Likewise, if the oil is too hot or exposed to too much air during decarb, undesirable degradations and losses can occur to the terpenes creating a bland or burnt flavor when vaped; maintaining gentle heating and low oxygen exposure during decarb ensures a tasty vape experience for the consumer. For Vape-Jet, formulations must be more than 90% decarboxylated to produce a suitable cartridge. If it is not decarbed enough, the heat required to thin the oil sufficiently to pump it into the vape will begin to decarb the oil inside the machine. This will create those bubbles of CO2 inside the cartridge, which cause spills and product loss, or undesirable “champagne” cartridges. All of which can affect an extractor’s bottom line and brand loyalty.  What to Expect: Decarb Loss with Extracts  Wondering what to expect from decarb loss with your brand’s extracts? We did the math for you, showing the theoretical maximum loss due to decarboxylation alone. For this part, we’ll assume we’re starting with 100% pure THCa isolate.   Each mole (a quantity of stuff, not the cute burrowing animal) of THCa weighs 358.478 g, each mole of THC weighs 314.469 g, and each mole of CO2 weighs 44.009 g; the weight of THCa minus the weight of CO2 equals the weight of THC. The maximum theoretical loss due to decarboxylation can be calculated as follows:   44.009 g CO2/358.478 g THCa = 12.3% This means that if you completely decarb and degas pure THCa, you will have only THC left and it will weigh 12.3% less than when you started. In reality, your starting extract destined for high-quality vape cartridges will have lots of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and everything else that makes a full-spectrum vape cartridge so desirable and command a premium price; luckily, most extracts come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for cannabinoids (a total terpene analysis will be nice to have too!). Since extracts are predominantly THCa, we’ll go ahead and ignore the other cannabinoids for this next part, but it’s worth noting that THCa isn’t the only cannabinoid that can be decarboxylated. Decarboxylation of THCa will never reach 100% without distilling the extract, so 90% of the theoretical maximum decarboxylation is a good target; put another way, shooting for 12.3% losses isn’t practical for full-spectrum vape cartridge oil formulations, we’re aiming for 11.07% decarb loss to CO2 (90% of the maximum) for live-resin, live-rosin, or any full-spectrum extract.  To start, weigh your extract before decarboxylation and multiply that mass by the percentage of THCa to get the total starting amount of THCa; we’ll assume the starting COA says it contains 75% THCa by weight. Taking 11.07% of the total THCa content will give you the mass you’re targeting to lose to achieve 90% decarboxylation; after decarboxylation and degassing, weigh the extract again to get the finished mass. The difference between the starting mass and finished mass will be mostly due to CO2 leaving the extract.  Now, the example calculation to break down the math a bit further.  Example calculation:  Starting extract mass: 1000g THCa content from COA: 75% Starting Mass of THCa: 1000g * 75% = 750g  90% of maximum loss of CO2: 750g * 11.07% = 83.025g  Finished extract mass target: 1000g – 83.025g = 916.975g  Optimal Environments for Terpene Preservation  Another factor to consider when producing an elite vape product is the preservation of terpenes. Terpene preservation is always a losing proposition; even the best genetics, best growing conditions, and most gentile extraction techniques will never result in a terpene profile that is precisely true-to-strain-as-grown inside a vape cartridge, but each step in the process offers the opportunity to at least prevent unneeded terpene loss and degradation.  Decarboxylation will also affect the extract’s finishing terpene composition to varying degrees, depending on the temperature the process is performed at, the duration of the process, and using a lid vs. no lid. Aleks Zed at Hashtek is putting in

Discover the technological innovations driving the surge in popularity of disposable vapes! From advanced battery technology to enhanced flavor delivery systems.

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