Cannabis vape cartridges or “carts” have surged in popularity in recent years, offering a discreet, convenient, and potent alternative to traditional smoking. But that raises an obvious question: Do carts actually get you high? 

The short answer is yes, but the more useful answer lies in how, how fast, how strong, and what factors affect it.

What Are Carts, Exactly?

Before explaining how you get high, it's important to define what we mean by “carts.”

• A cannabis vape cartridge (or “cart”) is a small, pre-filled container of cannabis concentrate (often THC oil or distillate) that screws into or sits atop a compatible battery or vaporizer device.
• These carts may use THC distillate, full-spectrum concentrate, live resin, or other refined extracts, often boosted with terpenes and flavoring.
• By contrast, flower refers to the dried cannabis bud, the original, unextracted plant material.

One of the major differences is potency: while typical cannabis flower in regulated markets may contain 15–30% THC. Many vape cartridges are formulated in the range of 70–95% THC (or more) in their oil form.

Because the extract is so concentrated, you can deliver more THC per puff compared to burning flower, which loses some vapor to combustion inefficiencies.

The Simple Answer: Yes, Carts Do Get You High

If a cartridge contains THC (the primary psychoactive cannabinoid), inhaling it via vaporization will produce a psychoactive or “high” effect in most users (unless tolerance is extremely high).

A few nuances to understand:

1. Faster onset: Because vaporized THC enters the lungs, then the bloodstream, effects are often felt within seconds to a few minutes and faster than edibles, which require digestion. Some studies and consumer accounts suggest vaping may hit slightly faster than smoking (though the difference is modest).
2. Intensity and duration: The “high” from a cart may feel more potent (due to concentration) but sometimes shorter in duration compared to a large edible dose.
3. User variability: A lot depends on user tolerance, the device used (voltage, temperature), puff size, frequency, and the product's quality.

So: yes, carts get you high. And often quickly and forcefully.

Why Carts Can Feel Stronger (or More Efficient)

Why do many users say carts feel “stronger” than smoking flower? Here are the main reasons:

1. Concentrated THC

Because carts contain refined concentrates, almost all of the product is active cannabinoids (especially THC) rather than inert plant material. This gives each puff a higher dose of THC than you might get from smoking a similar volume of flower.

2. Reduced waste from combustion

When you smoke flower, some cannabinoids and terpenes degrade or combust before inhalation. Vaporization at lower temperatures is more efficient in preserving these compounds.

3. Controlled delivery

Carts allow for more consistent dosing per puff (if the cartridge and device are well-made). This consistency means you can dial in your experience better.

4. Enhanced terpene/flavor retention

Because vaporization is gentler than burning, terpenes are less destroyed, giving more aromatic and flavorful vapor, which sometimes contributes to a richer sensory experience.

Because of these factors, many users perceive vaping carts as “stronger” even if the subjective high is comparable to smoking a good-quality flower dose (adjusted for dose size).

What Factors Influence How High a Cart Makes You

Even though carts can deliver intense highs, the actual experience depends on several controllable and uncontrollable factors:

• THC concentration/quality: A cart with 90%+ THC will dramatically differ from one with only 50%.
• Brand and lab testing: Reliable, licensed brands tend to offer more consistent quality, fewer contaminants, and accurate THC labeling.
• Device, temperature, voltage: Lower-voltage, moderate temperatures often preserve flavor; hotter settings may vaporize more but risk burning or degrading compounds.
• User tolerance: A veteran user may need a higher dose to feel effects.
• Puff size and frequency: Deep, long draws deliver more vapor and thus more THC.
• Freshness/storage: Poorly stored cartridges may degrade over time, especially volatile terpenes.

Understanding these variables helps users moderate or calibrate their expectations.

Comparing Effects: Carts vs Flower vs Edibles

To help readers contextualize "how high" carts feel, here’s a side-by-side comparison: