Vape pens and pre-rolls are two of the most common first purchases at a cannabis store. Both are inhaled and both are ready to use out of the package, which is part of the appeal. They are different products with different trade-offs, so it helps to know what you are actually choosing between.
How each one works
A pre-roll is dried cannabis flower, ground and rolled in paper like a cigarette, ready to light. It burns, and you inhale the smoke. Pre-rolls are sold singly and in packs.
A vape pen heats cannabis oil rather than burning it, and you inhale the vapour. Most are either a cartridge that screws onto a separate battery (the common 510 thread) or an all-in-one disposable pen with the battery built in. There is no flame, but the battery needs to be charged.
Side by side
| Pre-roll | Vape pen | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Dried flower rolled in paper | Cannabis oil in a cartridge or disposable pen |
| What you need | A lighter | A battery for a 510 cartridge (built in to disposables) |
| How it is used | Lit and smoked; burns down once lit | Inhale, and put it down between uses |
| Smell | Smoke has a strong, lingering smell | Vapour tends to smell less and clear faster |
| Label to read | THC and CBD percentage, weight in grams | THC and CBD percentage, amount of oil |
Why the THC numbers are not comparable
Flower and oil are measured on very different scales. A vape cartridge is a concentrated extract, so its THC percentage is typically far higher than a flower's. A cartridge with a big number is not automatically “better” than a pre-roll with a smaller one. They are different products, and the strength you get per puff differs too. Read each label on its own terms, and ask staff if you are unsure what a number means.
What the cartridge words mean
Vape labels use terms like distillate and live resin. They describe how the oil was made, not how strong it is. Distillate is refined down to mostly cannabinoids. Live resin is extracted from freshly frozen plant material, which keeps more of the plant's aroma compounds. Staff can explain what is on the shelf if the labels leave you with questions.
Questions worth asking before you choose
- Where will you use it? Manitoba restricts where cannabis can be used, so check the rules before you take either format out of the house.
- Do you want to finish it in one go or spread it out? A pre-roll is lit once and burns down. A vape pen can be put down between uses.
- Do you already own a battery? If you have a 510 battery, a cartridge is all you need. If not, a disposable includes everything.
- Do you care about the smell? This matters for housemates, neighbours and your car.
Start low, go slow
Whichever you pick, begin with a small amount and wait to see how you feel before using more. Inhaled cannabis acts quickly, but strength varies a lot between products, so the percentage on the label is worth reading. Neither format is risk-free, and Health Canada publishes plain-language information on the effects of cannabis. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Ask in store or order online
Our staff at Ellice Ave and Henderson Hwy can walk you through what is on the shelf, and you need valid government-issued photo ID to buy: cannabis is 19+ in Manitoba. You can also browse the live vape menu and the pre-roll menu online for pickup or delivery.