TL;DR: Delta-8 THC vape carts described as CDT carts feature Delta-8 THC distillate and terpene extracts from hemp. Non-CDT Vapes feature only Delta-8 THC distillate.

Shopping for vape carts at the dispensary isn’t as simple as it used to be. This is a good thing. More variety can lead to discovering better hemp-derived products.

For those wondering about the difference between CDT and non-CDT vapes, this guide is designed to help you find your way.

First off, let’s get some things squared away.

What Is a CDT Vape? FAQs

Q: What Does CDT stand for?

A: CDT stands for “Cannabis-Derived Terpene.”

Q: What types of carts do CDT and non-CDT refer to?

A: When a vape cart is described as “CDT” or “non-CDT,” its primary cannabinoids are typically Delta-8 THC or CBD.

Q: Does it matter if a cart is CDT vs non-CDT?

A: It does. Users suggest that CDT vape carts have heightened flavor profiles because of the presence of terpenes (the compound responsible for that distinct cannabis aroma).

It’s also been suggested that the terpenes can complement Delta-8 THC and heighten its psychoactive via what’s known as the “entourage effect.”

Conversely, a non-CDT vape could deliver a cleaner and more pure psychoactive response.

Q: Do CDT carts or non-CDT carts make for a better vaping experience?

A: In the world of cannabis, preference determines what’s better or worse.

For those who love the complementary nature of different cannabinoids comprising cannabis plants, the more dynamic nature of CDT carts might be of interest.

For those who are drawn to the Delta-8 THC’s reputation for a more clear and focused high than other cannabinoids, non-CDT carts might be the way to go.

Q: Is Mood’s Delta-8 THC cart CDT or non-CDT?

A: Generally, a non-CDT cart needs to be purely Delta-8 THC distillate or CBD distillate.

Mood’s Delta-8 Vape features other rich cannabinoids such as HHC, THCp, and HHCp.

Q: Is Delta-8 THC the leading cannabinoid for smoking, vaping, or edibles?

A: Preference is everything.

For those who found Delta-8 THC via its federal legality in relation to the definition of “hemp” and the Farm Bill, it’s worth knowing that THCa and low-dose Delta-9 THC products offer similar accessibility.

When it comes to smoking cannabis flowers, THCa-forward products can induce more recognizable psychoactive effects because of decarboxylation — the process of THCa converting to Delta-9 THC when heated or burned.

You can also find federally legal Delta-9 THC edibles that offer an alternative to the more clear and focused high you can find with Delta-8 THC ones.

For those who are interested in the more toned-down high that Delta-8 THC can offer, there’s a wide range of vapes, concentrates, edibles, and gummies you can enjoy too.

A Primer Delta-8 THC

Delta-8 THC is one of many popular forms of THC used in cannabis products.

It’s a cannabinoid that occurs in small amounts in the raw cannabis plant, which lab experts can extract in greater concentrations from Delta-9 THC and CBD via a process called isomerization.

Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and THCa

Why are we cannabis enthusiasts concerning ourselves with all of these different forms of THC?

The Farm Bill

While each compound has its own chemical makeup and unique attributes, their relationship to each other really jumped into the public eye with the passing of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as the Farm Bill).

This bill defines federally legal hemp as any dry cannabis product with less than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC. Therefore, cannabis products with higher concentrations of Delta-8 THC, THCa, and other cannabinoids are legal to buy and sell on a federal level.

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound, and while offering a more clean high than Delta-9 THC, it’s largely similar. It’s also commonly derived straight from Delta-9.

THCa Products

THCa is a precursor to Delta-9 THC (and in some ways like a grandparent to Delta-8 THC). When we heat or burn THCa, it converts to Delta-9 THC, which is the psychoactive compound most commonly associated with cannabis products.

While cannabis users are federally prohibited from buying products with more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC, they can buy higher-concentrated THCa products, which will convert to more recognizable Delta-9 levels upon smoking or vaping.

Featuring cannabis flowers that are a little more than 28 percent THCa, this 1G Cereal Milk Pre-Roll is available for just $16. Subscribe and save 15 percent.

Delta-8 THC Products

Delta-8 THC doesn’t convert to Delta-9 THC, but it does give off a more mellow but similar effect.

It can also exist in any concentration in hemp-derived vape products, gummies, and flowers without compromising its FDA-legal status.

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How Vape Carts Are Made

While cannabis professionals use various methods for extracting Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC from the cannabis plant, combining these with other cannabinoids and terpenes is another process.

Different Types of Cartridges

From disposable vapes to removable glass, metal, and ceramic cartridges — the cannabis world produces a wide range of carts and vaping products.

Production for each varies. Mood’s draw-activated disposable vapes, for example, each feature a premium ceramic coil to vape the cannabis contents with the utmost quality.

Extracting Cannabinoids

When extracting cannabinoids for new vape products, professionals undergo a range of processes depending on the end goal.

Here are a few examples:

• Low-temperature vacuum distillation

  uses low temperatures to isolate and capture terpenes.

• Hydrocarbon extraction

  uses butane and propane solvents to pull cannabinoids and terpenes from fresh or cured cannabis.

• Ethanol extraction

  dissolves resin glands and trichomes to release active cannabinoids into alcohol or solvent.

Extracting Terpenes

When creating cannabis products like CDT vapes, professionals curate various blends of terpenes to achieve flavors and effects.

Myrcene and limonene are among the more popular terpenes used in vaporizers and CDT vapes.

Distributors who prioritize an organic approach will opt for natural terpenes rather than synthetic terpenes.

In addition to cannabis-derived terpenes, botanically derived terpenes (BDT) offer another family for professionals to choose from when curating vape products.

While CDTs can invite flavors and effects from other cannabinoids via the entourage effect, BDTs can bring familiar cannabis flavors and aromas without the heightened effects.

In addition to hydrocarbon and ethanol extraction methods, lab professionals extract terpenes with Co2 extraction, which uses pressurized gas to pull terpenes.

Making CDT Vapes vs Non-CDT Vapes

CDT Vapes

Cannabis professionals produce CDT cartridges with cannabis-derived terpenes and Delta-8 THC for more nuanced and dynamic high and more complex terpene profiles.

Non-CDT Vapes

Non-CDT vapes feature pure Delta-8 THC distillate or CBD distillate. Featuring vape cartridges with fewer ingredients packed in, non-CDT products offer users a product with a more simple flavor and chemical structure.

Delta-8 THC and THCa Live Resin Disposable Vape Pens

A Delta-8 Vape Pen

Mood’s Delta-8 Vape Pen is more than just Delta-8 THC distillate. To create a balanced and smooth high, this vape pen complements its high dose of Delta-8 THC with plenty of HHC (another psychoactive cannabinoid that’s similar to Delta-9 THC) with a bit of THCp and HHCp.

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A THCa Vape Pen

This THCa-forward vape pen from Mood is designed to deliver an energized psychoactive response. It’s just over 50 percent THCa, with over 20 percent of its makeup devoted to CBD. Together, these cannabinoids combine to create a delicious and uplifting vaping experience.

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A Highly Potent HHC Vape Pen

Mood’s Kush Mintz Disposable Vape features a stimulating blend of terpenes, full-spectrum CBD, THCp, HHC, and THCa. With a near-85 percent share of HHC, this vape offers a tasty alternative to those that lead with Delta-8 THC or THCa.

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Choosing Between CDT and Non-CDT Vapes

CDT vapes offer a more nuanced experience by incorporating cannabis-derived terpenes, which can enhance flavors and potentially boost effects through the entourage effect. Non-CDT vapes provide a more straightforward experience, focusing purely on the Delta-8 THC distillate for a clean and clear high.

Your choice between CDT and non-CDT will depend on personal preference, desired effects, and flavor profiles. Whether you're drawn to the dynamic experience of CDT vapes or the simplicity of non-CDT options, Mood offers a variety of high-quality products to elevate your vaping experience.

Discover more hemp-derived products at the Mood Shop today.

Prices subject to change.