Where to Buy Delta-9 THC Carts [Reviewed & Analyzed]

Legal, hemp-derived THC products are common across the United States and several countries in Europe. Out of the many consumption formats available, vapes are the most popular.

Cannabis remains federally illegal in the US and widely banned in most other countries worldwide. This has led to people opting for hemp-derived alternatives that induce psychoactive effects similar to cannabis without the potential legal repercussions. However, not all vape products are legit…

In this article, we delve into the top 4 legal THC vape carts available on the market and how these brands stay within the law. We’ll also be looking at the legal THC analogs used in these carts, which ones are strongest, and how you can track down the most trustworthy, reliable brands in the business…

Other Buyer’s Guides: Delta-8 THC Carts | HHC Carts | Best Carts (All) | Live Resin Carts | 1-Gram Carts

Related Posts: Microdosing THC | THCA (THC-Acid) | Delta 9 THC 101 | Marijuana 101

Top 4 Delta-9 THC Carts

Not all legal THC carts are good. There’s a lack of regulation in this space, and several sketchy brands are manufacturing poor-quality products that are ineffective and contain potentially harmful ingredients. Finding a legitimate brand can be difficult and time-consuming.

We’ve taken some of the hard work out of the purchasing process by trying and testing the most popular brands on the market.

Here are the top 3 best legal THC carts we’ve discovered:

1. The Botanist Distillate Vape Cart

The Botanist is an American company operating in the legal cannabis market. This means you can only buy these distillates from regulated vendors in states with favorable recreational marijuana laws. You’re most likely to find this brand in dispensaries along the East Coast of the United States.

These carts come in a variety of different flavores, but our favorite is the Guava Cart. It’s smooth and fruity yet doesn’t have the artificial fruit falvor we often experience with lower-end vape carts.

This vape features an all-glass flow path, ceramic heating element, and exceptionally high distillate purity (over 97%).

Likes & Dislikes: The Botanist Distillate Carts:

✅ Sleek packaging and sturdy construction
✅ Tasty flavors and live resin terpenes as flavoring
✅ The company is diligent about its third-party testing protocol
❌ Feels expensive, even for the quality of the cart

2. Curio Wellness THC Distillate Cart

Curio Wellness is another popular (East Coast-based) legal cannabis company with a wide range of products — including these delta-9 THC vape carts.

The regulated cannabis market can be challenging to navigate, and you can’t order products directly from manufacturers as you can with grey-market products like delta-8 or HHC. You must buy these products from regulated vendors, which are only available in states with their own recreational cannabis laws.

Likes & Dislikes: Curio Wellness Distillate Carts:

✅ Impressive variety of flavors and cannabinoid offerings
✅ Delicious flavor using all-natural ingredients
❌ Relatively high price for a vape cartridge
❌ Not as potent as other options (you might have to take a few puffs for the desired effects)

3. Koi CBD THCA + THCP + Delta-9 Vapes

This vape cart uses delta-9 THCA instead of delta-9 THC. There’s no functional differences between D9 THC and D9 THCA in terms of effects because, one exposed to heat, D9 THCA rapidly converts to D9 THC.

There is a loophole in current cannabis laws that enables companies to sell THCA as long as it’s derived from hemp. However, this loophole is sketchy, at best, because there is language in the 2018 Farm Bill that suggests THCA counts towards the total THC concentration in manufactured products.

Regardless, companies like Koi CBD have been selling THCA products under the assumption that it’s legal.

Koi CBD sells THCA vape carts as well as a disposable vape (with rechargeable battery but non-refillable distillate tank). Both versions contain a blend of THCA, THCP, and delta-9 THC (albeit under the 0.3% threshold). You can pick up flavors like

These vapes come in a choice of five flavors: “Slurricane, Cherry Gelato, Moon Berry, Blackberry Kush, and Watermelon Skits.”

Likes & Dislikes of Koi THC Carts:

✅ Available in most states, regardless of recreational marijuana laws.
✅ Contains the raw form of THC (THCA).
✅ Exceptionally potent for a THC pen (thanks to the inclusion of the more potent THCP)
❌ Legality is sketchy — order at your own risk.

4. Exhale Wellness THCA Carts

This is another D9 cart sold in the form of delta-9 THCA — argued to be legal in the United States if derived from hemp plants instead of marijuana plants.

These THCA carts from Exhale Wellness are available in a variety of flavors. You’ll find “Birthday Cake, Maui Wowie, Biscotti, Peach Cobbler, Orange Creamsicle, Watermelon Mimosa,” and many more. Each flavor is made using natural plant-based flavors and terpenes.

All of Exhale Wellness’s products are lab-tested, Farm Bill-compliant, and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. The THCA vapes contain 400 mg of Hemp-derived THCA and 1000 mg of delta-8 THC. All the flavors contain the same cannabinoid formula with the addition of natural terpenes and flavorings to produce different taste experiences.

These vape carts are potent and taste fantastic. However, they’re a little expensive compared to some similar-potency products on the market.

Likes & Dislikes of Exhale Wellness Carts:

✅ “Legal” delta-9 THC carts.
✅ Available in a wide variety of flavors (cannabis strains, fruit blends, & more).
✅ Very low price compared to other THCA options.
❌ Quality control issues are fairly common with this company.
❌ Legal status is sketchy in some states.

Is Delta 9 THC Legal if Hemp-Derived?

This is not a simple question — there are arguments that could be made for either side.

Companies selling THC refer to a loophole whereby cannabis plants that contain high concentrations of THCA but not delta-9 THC are considered hemp rather than marijuana. The THCA is then extracted and sold as “legal hemp-derived THCA.”

The official reading of the 2018 Farm Bill states that hemp plants must contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight. The same goes for hemp products. However, there is a stipulation in the bill that both THCA and THC can be added together to determine total THC content.

Edibles can be made with psychoactive doses of THC while remaining under this legal threshold because a gummy, chocolate, or cookie can be made heavier. However, vape carts are a little more tricky.

All of this is to say that, most likely, all products containing THC in any form over 0.3% of the total weight are illegal in the US, regardless of whether it’s hemp-derived or not.

Legal THC Vape Carts Explained

Legal THC carts and disposable vaporizers contain cannabinoids similar to delta-9. However, differences in molecular structure make them legal in any quantity, provided they’re sourced from federally legal hemp.

These delta-9 THC alternatives provide users with a convenient and discreet way to enjoy the effects of THC without the legal concerns of consuming cannabis products. Some THC analogs are stronger than others in terms of effects, but most induce a similar experience to cannabis.

Some cannabinoids, such as THCP, are stronger than delta-9, some are weaker, such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC, and some are identical when decarboxylated by vaping or smoking, like THCA.

THC Analogs That Are Legal in Vapes

Several legal psychoactive cannabinoids exist, but some are more potent than others. Certain THC analogs are extremely expensive to extract; some must be synthesized from CBD, and others can be efficiently obtained with relative ease. Five hemp-derived THC analogs are worth looking at when it comes to legal vape cartridges.

These are the best legal forms of THC that can be used in vape carts:

1. THCA

Legal Status: Gray-Area (Likely Illegal)

THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) is the precursor to delta-9 THC. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid in its raw form. However, it’s converted to delta-9 THC when it goes through a process of decarboxylation.

Whether federal prosecutors consider THCA illegal or not is unclear as no significant action has been taken to block this so-called loophole companies are using to sell THCA vapes, THCA flower, and other products as alternatives to delta-9 THC.

2. HHC

Legal Status: Gray-Area (Likely Legal)

HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is a synthetic cannabinoid that mimics the effects of delta-9 THC. It’s a hydrogenated derivative of THC and is naturally occurring in minuscule quantities in hemp and cannabis. To obtain psychoactive quantities, HHC must be synthesized from compounds found in federally legal hemp plants.

HHC vapes offer similar effects to delta-9 THC. However, the effects are milder and have a shorter duration.

3. THCP

Legal Status: Greay-Area (Likely Legal)

THCP (Tetrahydrocannabiphorol) is a lesser-known cannabinoid found at low concentrations in hemp and cannabis. This cannabinoid is famous for being three to 33 times as potent as delta-9 THC.

THCP carts induce strong psychoactive effects, but the risk of developing negative side effects is also increased. This cannabinoid is extremely difficult to obtain, and the extraction process is expensive. Genuine THCP vapes and carts can be three times as expensive as delta-8 carts.

Most companies create formulas that contain low percentages of THCP and higher percentages of cheaper-to-produce cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC and THCA. This cuts production costs down and creates a product that can be offered to consumers for a lower price.

4. Delta-8 THC

Legal Status: Greay-Area (Likely Legal)

Delta-8 THC (Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol) is a derivative of delta-9 THC. delta-8 is similar to delta-9 but it has a slightly different molecular structure — with a double bond at the eighth carbon rather than the ninth.

Delta-8 THC is known as delta-9’s “little brother.” This cannabinoid produces a milder psychoactive experience and a functional high that’s less sedative. Delta-8 is less likely to induce anxiety, paranoia, and overwhelming psychoactive effects compared to delta-9 THC and other THC derivatives.

5. Delta-10 THC

Legal Status: Greay-Area (Likely Legal)

Delta-10 THC (Delta-10 Tetrahydrocannabinol) is a lesser-known cannabinoid that’s similar to delta-9 and delta-8 THC. It’s similar but has a double bond at the 10th carbon.

If delta-8 is delta-9 THC’s little brother, delta-10 is it’s younger sibling. The effects of delta-10 THC are even milder than delta-8. This is a good option for people who are especially sensitive to THC and wish to induce a relaxing high with less euphoria and stimulation.

How to Find Legitimate Hemp-Derived THC Carts

Not all legal THC vape carts are legit. Several low-quality products swamp this space, and without a regulatory body assessing quality, finding a high-quality vape brand is left to the consumer.

To make your life easier, we’ve developed this — step-by-step guide to help you identify quality hemp-derived THC brands:

1. Read Reviews

The first step in locating a legitimate THC vape brand is to find and research several brands thoroughly. Don’t get persuaded by a particular brand or product because of potency claims or low price points.

When you find a brand you like the look of, check for an online presence. If they have social media accounts, scroll through the comments sections of the posts and look for praise or criticism from genuine customers. The next step is to assess customer reviews and feedback elsewhere.

Take the reviews on the brand’s website lightly — it’s difficult to tell whether these are legitimate. Instead, head over to places like Reddit. You’ll find genuine use reports and reviews on cannabis/THC SubReddits and other weed-related forums.

Satisfied customers are less likely to leave reviews, especially outside of the brand’s website, so don’t worry too much if there isn’t heaps of positive feedback. Disgruntled customers who feel like they’ve been ripped off, scammed, or sold a low-quality product have much more of a voice.

Weigh up the positive with the negative. Even the best brand will have some bad customer feedback. Use your discretion — if there are a few bad reviews but a lot of positive reviews, the brand is worth a deeper look…

2. Analyze Product Descriptions

The next step is to assess the product descriptions and ingredient lists closely. Scammy companies selling sketchy vape products will often use poorly written English and evasive language in their product descriptions. If the descriptions are vague, ill-written, uninformative, and don’t describe the product truthfully, avoid the brand.

A reputable THC vape brand that spends money and time on developing high-quality products will do the same with its product descriptions. A good brand will describe the product fully, avoid making false claims, and be transparent with ingredients.

Make sure the ingredient lists and/or product descriptions state that the extracts are derived from hemp, are third-party lab tested, and are “Farm Bill-compliant.” Avoid brands that don’t mention anything about hemp — they are likely using synthetic cannabinoids or cannabis-derived THC.

3. Check for Third-Party Lab Data

Any legitimate brand will send all their products off for laboratory testing by a third party. The results (certificates of analysis) should be displayed clearly on the website. All certificates of analysis should be up-to-date — less than one year old.

Read through the data, don’t just assume a brand is legit because they have a certificate of analysis. Make sure the data matches up to claims of potency and contain the cannabinoids stated in the product descriptions. Look out for potentially harmful contaminants, synthetic compounds, and trace solvents.

Avoid any brand that doesn’t display third-party lab data, has out-of-date certificates of analysis, or has discrepancies.

4. Look at Hemp Source & Farm Bill-Compliance

Look at the hemp source of any product you find. Any legitimate brand will state that its products are made using federally-compliant hemp.

If a company doesn’t state that their THC vape products are Farm Bill-compliant or contain hemp-derived extracts, they’re probably hiding something.

5. Look for Satisfaction Guarantees

Look for a satisfaction guarantee. This could be a money-back guarantee or replacement. Any company that believes in its product will offer this.

Companies that explicitly state “no refunds” clearly don’t trust their products and expect customers to request refunds. Avoid companies without any guarantees unless you’re sure of their legitimacy.

6. Contact Customer Support

If you’re still cautious of a brand’s legitimacy after going through the last six steps, test out their customer service channels — email, instant message, and/or phone.

A reputable brand will respond quickly with a detailed answer to your query. In our experience, scammy companies avoid answering entirely, and if they do, the response is often vague and uninformative.

Delta-9 THC Gummies: A Potent Alternative to THC Vapes

If you want to consume delta-9 THC legally rather than opting for an alternative THC analog, vapes aren’t an option. Hemp-derived delta-9 THC is only legal at concentrations below 0.3% by weight. Achieving a psychoactive dose while remaining under this federally set limit isn’t possible with vapes.

With that said, there’s an alternative to vaping that is capable of inducing a potent high while abiding by the 0.3% delta-9 by weight limit. Some delta-9 THC gummies contain high levels of THC — up to 15 mg per piece. This is more than enough THC to get you stoned.

High-potency hemp-derived delta-9 THC gummies are legal because the manufacturers increase the weight of each gummy. This increased weight allows each piece to accommodate a psychoactive dose of THC while remaining under the federally legal threshold of 0.3%.

Not all “legal” delta-9 THC gummies are legit. With a lack of regulation in the cannabinoid market, it can be difficult to assess whether a brand is using genuine hemp-derived THC, a cannabis-derived alternative, a different psychoactive THC analog, or a psychoactive synthetic compound.

As with vapes, you must be cautious when purchasing delta-9 THC gummies online. Ensure the brand is reputable, uses hemp-derived THC, and is Farm Bill compliant.

Most Potent Delta-9 THC Gummies: Area 52 UFO Max

The most potent federally-legal gummies on the market are sold by Area 52. This company has been making high-quality hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoid gummies, vapes, and pre-rolls for years. They have a fantastic reputation and spend a lot of time on developing — making them one of the best legal THC manufacturers on the planet.

The UFO Max gummies from Area 52 have been developed to accommodate as much hemp-derived delta-9 THC as possible while remaining under the legal threshold of 0.3% by weight. They’ve achieved an astonishing 15 mg of delta-9 THC per gummy by increasing the weight of each candy.

Each gummy contains 15 mg of THC, 100 mg of CBD, and 5 mg of CBG. They come in packs of 20 gummies and are flavored with natural mango extract and terpenes derived from the popular cannabis strain “Green Crack.”

If you’re looking for a potent hit of delta-9 THC and want to stay within the law, the UFO Max gummies from Area 52 are the best option.

Visit Area 52

FAQs: Delta-9 THC & Other Analogs

Want to learn more about delta-9 THC and other legal THC analogs? Read through the answers to the FAQs we’ve received below. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to feedback@tripsitter.com.

1. What’s the Strongest Type of THC?

The strongest type of THC is THCP. This cannabinoid is said to be three to 33 times as potent as delta-9 THC. However, most agree it’s closer to the lower end of this range.

Although THCP is highly potent, most people opt for delta-9 THC (in federally compliant edibles) or THCA in vapes and smokable products. The reason for this is the sheer cost of THCP. It’s an incredibly difficult cannabinoid to isolate, making extraction expensive — increasing the cost of genuine THCP products substantially.

With increased psychoactive effects comes an increased risk of side effects as well. If you’re prone to anxiety and paranoia after cannabis or hemp-derived THC use, it’s best to avoid THCP.

2. Where is Cannabis Legal?

Cannabis is slowly becoming legalized across the globe. Several states in the US have legalized cannabis, but the substance remains illegal under federal law, meaning it’s still possible to get prosecuted by the feds. This is why many people opt for hemp-derived THC alternatives.

Canada has completely legalized cannabis alongside a growing list of countries.

Here’s where cannabis is legal or decriminalized:

Canada
Georgia
Germany
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Thailand
Uruguay
The Netherlands

3. How Old Must You Be to Buy Legal THC Vapes?

The required age to purchase hemp-derived THC products varies from country to country.

In the United States, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase hemp-derived THC vapes.
In Canada, you must be at least 19 years old to buy hemp or cannabis-derived THC vapes, edibles, and flower.
In Europe, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase hemp-derived THC vapes. However, the legality of these products varies by country — they’re still illegal in many regions.

4. Does Legal THC Show Up on Drug Tests?

Yes. Legal forms of THC, even delta-8, delta-10, and other delta-9 variants, will trigger a positive result on a drug test.

Drug screenings can’t tell whether THC is hemp or cannabis-derived, so you will fail and risk legal or employment repercussions if you’ve used hemp-derived THC in any quantity in the past.

Avoid consuming hemp-derived THC if you regularly undergo drug screenings for employment.

Where to Buy Delta-9 THC Carts [Reviewed & Analyzed]

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