510-Thread Cartridge vs All-in-One Vape: Which to Buy

A 510-thread cartridge screws onto a separate battery; an all-in-one has everything built in. Here is how they compare and what to check on the label.

A 510-thread cartridge is a pre-filled cartridge of cannabis extract that screws onto a separate battery using the widely used 510 thread. An all-in-one vape (often called a disposable) combines the battery and the extract in a single device, so there is nothing to attach. If you already own a compatible battery, or plan to try several products, a cartridge usually makes more sense; if you want one self-contained device, an all-in-one is simpler.

Both are legally the same kind of product in Canada: a cannabis extract intended for inhalation. Here is how they compare and what to read on the label before you choose.

What a 510-thread cartridge is

"510" refers to a threaded connection used across a large share of vape batteries and cartridges. The cartridge holds the extract and the mouthpiece; the battery supplies the power. You buy them separately, and when a cartridge is empty, you replace the cartridge and keep the battery.

Things to know:

• You need a compatible battery. Check that your battery is 510-thread and that the cartridge sits properly on it.
• Cartridges are swappable. You can switch between products without buying new hardware.
• Fit and finish vary. Cartridge sizes and mouthpiece designs differ, so ask staff if you are not sure a cartridge suits your battery.

What an all-in-one vape is

An all-in-one is a sealed device with the battery, heating element and extract built in. You use it until the extract runs out, then the whole device is finished.

Things to know:

• No extra hardware. It is ready to use out of the package.
• One product per device. To try something different, you buy a different device.
• Plan for the empty device. It still contains a battery, so follow the manufacturer's instructions on charging and disposal.

Side by side

What the federal rules say about both

Under the federal Cannabis Regulations and Health Canada's composition requirements, the extract in a cartridge or an all-in-one is a cannabis extract, and the same rules apply to both:

• THC cap: no more than 1,000 mg of THC per immediate container.
• No sugars, sweeteners or colouring agents may be added to cannabis extracts.
• Flavouring agents are permitted in extracts intended for inhalation, but packaging and labels may not suggest that the product has certain flavours, other than the flavour of cannabis.
• Ingredients and allergens must be listed on the label.

How to read a vape label

Inhaled extracts sold in units show:

• The net weight of extract, in grams, and the number of units.
• Total THC and Total CBD, in mg per gram.
• The ingredients list and any food allergens.
• The intended use: inhalation.
• The standardized cannabis symbol, a health warning, the excise stamp, the lot number and the packaging date.

Working out the total THC in a device: multiply the mg/g figure by the net weight. For example, a 0.5 g cartridge labelled 800 mg/g holds about 400 mg of THC. To convert mg/g to a percentage, divide by 10, so 800 mg/g is 80%.

Extract figures are usually far higher than flower figures. Health Canada's About cannabis page lists chemically concentrated extracts at up to 90% THC, compared with up to 30% for dried herbal material. For a full label walkthrough, see How to read an Ontario cannabis label.

Start low, go slow

Health Canada's lower your risks guidance says inhaled effects are felt within seconds to minutes, with full effects taking up to 30 minutes. It suggests starting with 1 or 2 puffs of a product with 10% (100 mg/g) THC or less, and choosing products with a low amount of THC and an equal or higher amount of CBD. Because vape extracts are concentrated, a single puff can contain far more THC than a puff of flower.

Health Canada's consumer information also notes that cannabis vapour may carry risks. Avoid combining cannabis with alcohol, and never drive after using it.

Where you can and cannot vape

Vaping is consuming. Ontario says you cannot consume cannabis, including by vaping, in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or will be driven, and restricts consumption in places such as enclosed public spaces, workplaces, indoor common areas of condos and apartments, and school grounds. See where you can legally consume cannabis in Toronto and our condo and rental rules guide.

Vapes and the possession limit

The regulations define a cannabis concentrate as a substance with more than 3% THC by weight, and Schedule 3 of the Cannabis Act counts 0.25 g of concentrate as 1 g of dried cannabis. The 30 g public possession limit therefore equals 7.5 g of concentrate. See our possession limits guide for every format.

Storage

Keep vapes, cartridges and batteries in their original child-resistant packaging, out of sight and reach of children and pets, as Health Canada advises. A locked drawer or box is a simple habit that covers all three.

So which should you buy?

• Choose a 510-thread cartridge if you already own a compatible battery, or you want to compare several products over time.
• Choose an all-in-one if you want a single device with nothing to match up, or you are trying vapes for the first time and do not want to buy hardware.
• Either way, compare Total THC and CBD in mg/g, the net weight and the packaging date.

Visit Sugar Beach Cannabis

Our live menu lists 510-thread cartridges and all-in-one devices side by side, each with Total THC, Total CBD, a regular price and a lower member price. Sugar Beach Cannabis is at 192 Queens Quay East, Unit A5, Toronto, beside Sherbourne Common. Order online and pick up in store, or walk in with government photo ID (19+). Contact us with questions or read more about the store.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information about cannabis rules and products in Ontario, not legal or medical advice. Rules change: check the official sources linked above. Cannabis is for adults 19+. Never drive impaired.