CBD & THC Vape Industry Overview: Latest Complete Guide

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid with no psychoactive properties. It mainly has pharmacological effects such as relaxation, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic, while THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is psychoactive, producing feelings of stimulation, euphoria, or relaxation. Both can be applied in the e-cigarette field. With the growing global awareness of cannabis products and the relaxation of regulations in certain regions, the market for CBD and THC products is currently experiencing rapid growth.

As a professional high-end CBD/THC e-cigarette device manufacturer, and as an industry expert with over 6 years of experience in this field, I have a deep understanding of the characteristics of CBD/THC and their applications in the e-cigarette industry. To help more people understand what CBD/THC is, I will present a comprehensive introduction in this guide.

What is Cannabis

Before understanding CBD/THC, we need to know their source material - cannabis.
CBD and THC are types of cannabinoids, the active compounds found in cannabis. The common cannabis varieties are mainly divided into two categories: Hemp (Industrial Hemp / D8) and Marijuana (Recreational Marijuana / D9). The key difference between the two lies in the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content.

1. Hemp (Industrial Hemp / D8)

• Main component: CBD
• THC content: less than 0.3%, almost no psychoactive effect
• Uses: widely used in health, wellness, cosmetics, and food additives
• Features: legal to grow and process in most countries and regions, easy for cross-border sales
• Industry value: Due to its low THC characteristic, it is widely adaptable, especially in CBD e-cigarettes, CBD oil, CBD capsules, and other products

2. Marijuana (Recreational Marijuana / D9)

• Main component: THC
• THC content: greater than 0.3%, with obvious psychoactive effects
• Uses: for recreational, medical, and mental therapy purposes
• Features: regulated in most areas, can only be cultivated, produced, and sold in legalized regions
• Industry value: In legal markets, the psychoactive experience brings higher profit margins

Although Hemp and Marijuana are both cannabis plants, they differ significantly in chemical composition, legal restrictions, and market positioning. In the e-cigarette industry, CBD oil extracted from Hemp is easier to distribute across regions and is suitable for health and functional products; THC oil extracted from Marijuana is concentrated more in specific legal markets for recreational and medical purposes. The type of raw material directly affects the oil tank capacity, heating coil design, and atomization efficiency of e-cigarette devices.

What are Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis plants. Different types of cannabinoids have different physiological effects and application scenarios. Among them, CBD and THC are the most commonly used in the e-cigarette industry.

Common cannabinoids:

1. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Function: psychoactive, producing feelings of excitement, euphoria, or relaxation

Main types:

• D8 (Δ8 THC): synthetically produced; D8 e-cigarette devices often have capacities of 3–6 mL, and in recent years some markets have shifted toward smaller tanks (2/3 mL) to comply with regulations and consumption habits
• D9 (Δ9 THC): naturally extracted; D9 e-cigarette devices usually have capacities of 1–2 mL, but in some unconventional channels, 3 mL sizes may be found

2. CBD (Cannabidiol)

Function: non-psychoactive, with effects such as relaxation, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety

Application features: due to its non-intoxicating nature, it is widely used in health, sports recovery, and sleep aid; in e-cigarettes, it can be used alone or blended with THC to create different effects

3. Other cannabinoids

HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol): semi-synthetic, similar effects to THC, but with less clear regulatory status

THC-P: extremely potent, still in early research

CBN (Cannabinol): mild psychoactivity, often used for sleep aid

How cannabinoids are extracted

• The main methods of cannabinoid extraction include:
• Solvent extraction: using ethanol, butane, or other solvents to dissolve cannabinoids, then evaporating the solvent; suitable for efficient mass production
• CO₂ supercritical extraction: using high-pressure CO₂ in a supercritical state to dissolve cannabinoids; advantage is no solvent residue and high product purity
• Press extraction: mechanically pressing to obtain oil, suitable for low-temperature preservation of active compounds
• Distillation purification: molecular distillation to separate different cannabinoids, producing high-purity ingredients (such as Distillate)

Types of Cannabis Extracts

Cannabis extracts are concentrated forms of the plant's active ingredients.
The form of the extract affects device selection and user experience, and they are mainly divided into oil-based and concentrate-based.

1. Oil-based

• Oil (Crude Oil): obtained from initial extraction; dark in color, contains more impurities, medium viscosity; often made through solvent or cold-press methods, retaining more plant flavor; best with metal-core atomizers
• Rosin: solventless, produced by applying heat and pressure directly to flower or hash; pure flavor but shorter shelf life; best with coreless atomizers
• Resin: higher viscosity, rich flavor, obtained via solvent or freezing methods; best with coreless or ceramic-core atomizers
• Liquid Diamond: high-purity THCA crystals dissolved in extract oil, with a clear, sparkling appearance and smooth taste; best with coreless atomizers
• Distillate: refined by molecular distillation, high purity, smooth flavor, versatile use; the mainstream oil product; best with metal-core atomizers

Oil-based Extracts Comparison Table

2. Concentrate-based

Concentrates are high-viscosity, highly concentrated extracts that often retain more terpenes and plant compounds, providing rich flavor.
Common types include Sauce, Diamond, Badder, Waxes, and Sugar.
They are produced using low-temperature extraction, freeze-drying, or post-solvent processing. Due to their viscosity, they require devices with higher heating power for smooth vaporization.

Types of E-cigarette Devices

Cannabis e-cigarette devices are generally divided into two main categories:

1. Dry Herb / Concentrate Vaporizers

Directly heat dried cannabis flowers or concentrate extracts without passing through a wick system, providing a pure, unaltered experience. Suitable for high-concentration or original-form users.

2. E-cigarette Devices

510 Thread Devices (high compatibility)

• By flavor: single chamber / dual chamber
• By shape: pen style (portable), stick style (slim), box style (large capacity, multi-function)
• By function: large screen (color/LED/LCD, can display oil level, power, etc.), small screen (digital tube), screenless (simple, cost-effective)

AIO Disposable Devices

Core types: metal core (fast heat conduction), ceramic core (smooth taste), coreless (flat ceramic, suitable for high-viscosity oils)

Pod Systems

Replaceable cartridges; reusable main body; adaptable to different oils, offering flexibility, eco-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness

Conclusion

The CBD and THC vape industry is a vibrant and rapidly developing market. For vape brand owners or vaping enthusiasts, understanding the differences between industrial hemp (Hemp) and marijuana (Marijuana), the unique properties of various cannabinoids, and the specific characteristics of different cannabis extracts is crucial for the safe production or enjoyment of CBD/THC vapes.

ASM GROUP LIMITED, founded in 2019, is a company focused on the research, development, and production of atomizers, and is one of the top three CBD/THC vape hardware manufacturers in the world. With 10 years of industry experience, we have partnered with over 100 cannabis brands from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other regions, including KOI and CAKE, achieving cumulative sales of over USD 90 million.

or any further questions about AIO vapes or to request a product quote, please contact us via email. ( William@asmoorvape.com )