The Safety of Cannabis Vape: What You Need to Know

Vape safety has always been one of the top concerns for both brands and consumers. A recent example underscored this: on August 27, 2025, the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) issued a recall for 5,765 vape cartridges produced by Exclusive Brands after discovering the inclusion of the banned additive medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The recall highlights how even regulated products in licensed markets can still pose risks when additives, extraction residues, or hardware materials fail to meet evolving safety standards.

Today, as regulations tighten and technology advances, ensuring the safety of cannabis vapes has become a shared responsibility across the supply chain. True vape safety involves more than just testing the final product—it starts from oil extraction, continues through hardware design, filling, and storage, and extends all the way to the end user’s habits.

This article explores three essential pillars of cannabis vape safety: oil safety, hardware safety, and user safety—and how each factor contributes to a safer, more trustworthy vaping experience.

1. Oil Safety

The foundation of any safe cannabis vape lies in the oil itself. The quality, purity, and handling of cannabis extracts directly affect the safety of the end product.

1.1 Safe Extraction Methods

The extraction process determines how cannabinoids and terpenes are separated from the plant material. Common methods include CO₂ extraction, ethanol extraction, and hydrocarbon extraction (using butane or propane).

While all can be safe when done correctly, CO₂ extraction is often regarded as the cleanest and safest option because it leaves no solvent residues. Hydrocarbon and ethanol extraction can also produce high-quality oil, but only if the process is carefully controlled and the final product is fully purged of residual solvents.

Improper extraction or poor purification can result in contaminants like residual solvents, pesticides, or heavy metals, posing serious health risks when vaporized.

1.2 The Importance of Oil Purity and Testing

After extraction, cannabis oil should undergo third-party laboratory testing for contaminants, including:

Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury)

Pesticides

Microbial contaminants (mold, yeast, bacteria)

Residual solvents

These tests are not only a legal requirement in many markets but also a fundamental safety measure. A clean and verified oil ensures the consumer is not inhaling harmful chemicals with every puff.

1.3 Storage and Stability

Even the best cannabis oil can degrade if it’s not stored properly. Exposure to light, heat, and oxygen can lead to oxidation and terpene loss, resulting in reduced potency and altered flavor.

To maintain stability:

Store oil in airtight, opaque containers

Keep in cool and dry environments

Avoid repeated exposure to air or temperature fluctuations

Improper storage can also lead to crystallization or viscosity changes, which may clog the vape cartridge and affect performance.

2. Hardware Safety

While oil is the essence, hardware is the vessel that delivers the experience—and its design, materials, and handling directly affect both safety and performance. A reliable cartridge or device ensures not only smooth vaporization but also chemical stability throughout filling, storage, transport, and use.

2.1 Safety Before Filling: Material and Structural Integrity

Before oil enters the hardware, material safety must be guaranteed. Components like the tank, mouthpiece, and center post are in constant contact with the cannabis extract, which can be acidic and reactive over time.

Key factors in pre-filling safety include:

Material selection: Medical-grade stainless steel, borosilicate glass, food grade PC, and high-density ceramics are preferred for their non-reactive properties. Avoid low-grade metals or plastics that may leach heavy metals or release harmful compounds when heated.

Ceramic cores: High-quality sintered ceramics provide stable heating and clean vapor, without metal exposure.

Airflow and sealing design: Properly engineered seals prevent air leaks, oxidation, and contamination after filling, ensuring consistent internal pressure and oil protection.

Manufacturers typically perform heavy metal leach testing, thermal resistance testing, and material compatibility validation before the hardware is approved for use.

2.2 Safety After Filling: Oil Compatibility and Leak Prevention

Once the oil is filled, the cartridge faces new safety challenges. Oils differ in viscosity—rosin, live resin, distillate, or high-terpene extracts behave differently under temperature and pressure. Using hardware not optimized for the oil type can lead to leakage, clogging, or burnt flavors.

To ensure post-filling safety:

Match the oil viscosity with the appropriate core resistance and aperture size

Conduct compatibility testing between the oil and cartridge materials

Perform aging and stability tests to simulate long-term storage conditions

Modern vape manufacturers like Transpring often customize heating profiles or ceramic formulas to suit different extract types, ensuring both performance and safety.

2.3 Storage and Transportation Safety

Even after a cartridge is filled and sealed, the product remains vulnerable to temperature shifts and mechanical stress during storage and transport. This stage is often overlooked but is crucial to maintaining product integrity.

Key storage and transport precautions include:

Temperature control: Keep filled vapes at 15–25°C. Excessive heat can cause oil expansion and leakage, while cold temperatures may thicken the oil, leading to clogging.

Upright storage: Cartridges should be stored vertically to prevent oil from seeping into the mouthpiece or airflow chamber.

Shock protection: During transportation, vibration and impact can damage seals or cause micro-leaks. Using protective trays or foam inserts minimizes mechanical stress.

Avoid long exposure to sunlight or humidity: UV light and moisture accelerate oil degradation and material fatigue.

Cannabis vape brands that take extra steps to monitor shipping environments and storage conditions reduce the risk of leakage, oxidation, and performance failure once the product reaches the shelf.

3. User Safety

Even with premium oil and certified hardware, user behavior is the final line of defense in vape safety. How consumers charge, store, and handle their devices directly impacts both safety and experience.

3.1 Correct Usage

Users should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid unsafe modifications.

Key recommendations include:

Use only compatible batteries and power levels

Avoid tampering with voltage settings beyond the recommended range

Stop using the device immediately if it overheats or produces burnt smells

Starting with lower power settings helps prevent excessive temperatures that may degrade oil or release unwanted compounds.

3.2 Hygiene and Maintenance

Residue buildup in the mouthpiece or around the airflow path can collect bacteria or dust. Regular cleaning with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol helps maintain hygiene and flavor.

Disposable products should be disposed of responsibly, and rechargeable ones should use certified charging accessories to prevent overcharging risks.

3.3 Storage and Counterfeit Awareness

End-users should store their devices in cool, dark environments, avoid leaving them in hot cars, and never expose them to moisture.

More importantly, users must be cautious about counterfeit vape products—unauthorized or fake cartridges often use untested oils or unsafe materials. Purchasing from licensed dispensaries and checking batch numbers or QR authentication codes ensures authenticity and safety.

4. Building a Safer Future for Cannabis Vaping

The safety of cannabis vapes is a collective responsibility shared by every stakeholder:

Oil producers must guarantee purity and stability.

Hardware manufacturers must ensure non-toxic materials and structural reliability, even through transport and long-term storage.

Users must handle and store devices properly.

Each link in the chain plays a vital role in protecting consumer health and sustaining market confidence.

Conclusion

Safety is not a marketing slogan—it is the foundation of trust in the cannabis vape industry.

From extraction and hardware design to packaging and user education, every step matters.

As testing standards rise and technology continues to improve, the cannabis vape industry is steadily advancing toward a future where safety, performance, and transparency coexist.

By focusing on oil safety, hardware stability, and responsible use, brands and consumers alike can ensure that every puff is not only enjoyable but also safe.