Shopping for a vape pen in Ohio can get confusing fast. One minute you’re thinking, “I just want something simple,” and the next you’re comparing cartridges vs pods vs disposables…plus a handful of oil types that all sound like they belong in a chemistry set.
This guide is here to make it easier. We’ll cover the main vape formats you’ll see in Ohio dispensaries, how the oil is made (without getting too complicated about it), and a list of licensed brands that show up often so you can shop with confidence and ask better questions at the counter.
Quick compliance note: This is general education (not medical advice). Buy only from licensed Ohio dispensaries, and follow all local rules. If you’re a patient shopper, your dispensary team can also help you match products to your needs.
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Ohio Vape Pens at a Glance
If you want the simplest setup, a disposable vape pen is the easiest “open it and go” option. If you want more flexibility (and less waste long-term), a 510 cartridge paired with a rechargeable vape pen battery is usually the most common route. Pod systems are the middle lane: super consistent, but they only work with the matching device.
Vape Pen Formats You’ll See in Ohio
Before we jump into each style, here’s the quick picture.
Every vape format in Ohio is designed to heat cannabis oil safely when paired with the right device. Some people prefer the flexibility of 510 cartridges. Others want the simplicity of a disposable. Pod systems are the middle lane… and in Ohio, Luster Pods are the pod format you’ll see by name most often.
510‑Thread Cartridges
510-thread cartridges are the “most common for a reason” option. They twist onto a standard 510 vape pen battery (the little rechargeable device), and they’re sold in a wide range of oil styles from licensed Ohio processors.
What customers like about 510s is flexibility: if you already have a vape pen battery, you can usually pick from a lot of different cartridges without buying new hardware every time. It’s also a good format if you want more control—many batteries let you adjust temperature, which can make a difference in how the oil tastes and how smoothly it pulls.
Two quick pro-tips:
- If a cartridge feels harsh or keeps clogging, it’s often a temp setting issue (or just an oil that prefers lower heat), not you “doing it wrong.”
- Not every 510 battery is identical. If you’re unsure what pairs well, our team can help you match a cartridge with a battery that actually makes sense.
Want help picking a compatible setup? Check menus and product availability at your nearest Story location.
Pod-Based Systems
Pod systems are the “set it and forget it” lane. Instead of a universal screw-on connection like 510 carts, pods are designed to work with a specific battery so there’s less guessing, fewer settings to fiddle with, and a more consistent experience from one session to the next.
The only catch: pods aren’t mix-and-match. A pod made for one system won’t work with a different battery, so it’s smart to confirm compatibility before you add anything to your cart.
Luster Pods: Ohio’s Favorite Pod System
We’d be remiss not to call out Luster Pods specifically, because they’re genuinely one of the most familiar vape and battery formats among Ohio shoppers, especially our regulars.
Luster is still a pod system at its core, but it uses Luster-compatible pods and a matching battery (it’s not a universal fit). They also use CCELL ceramic heating tech designed to handle thicker oil, which helps with consistent flavor and fewer clogs/leaks when used with the compatible battery.
If you’ve heard someone say “just grab a Luster,” this is what they mean: a straightforward, consistent pod setup that a lot of Ohio customers already know and shop for by name.
Disposable Vape Units
Disposable vape units are pre-filled and pre-charged for ease of use. Once the oil is depleted, the unit is discarded in accordance with local regulations.
A disposable vape pen is the true grab-and-go lane: the oil and the device are all in one piece, already charged and ready to use. No separate battery, no threading anything on, no “wait does this fit?”
Disposables are popular with customers who want convenience (or who don’t want to commit to a device yet). They’re also an easy option for travel days, weekends, or trying a format before you invest in a rechargeable vape pen battery and cartridges.
A couple things to keep in mind:
- Once it’s empty, the whole unit is done—so long-term, disposables can cost more than a cartridge + battery setup.
- Because there’s a battery inside, it’s smart to follow local guidance for disposal or recycling when possible.
If you want the simplest option with the fewest moving parts, this is usually it.
Extraction Methods: How Vape Oil is Made in OH
Once you’ve got the format figured out (510, pods, disposable), the next question is usually: what is in a vape pen?
In Ohio’s regulated market, it’s cannabis oil made by licensed processors, typically containing cannabinoids like THC (and sometimes CBD), plus terpenes depending on the product. Extraction matters because it affects what’s pulled from the plant and what ends up listed on the label.
CO₂ Extraction
CO₂ extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull key compounds from the plant. It’s widely used because it doesn’t rely on hydrocarbon solvents and tends to produce consistent oil for carts and pods.
Distillate (Distillation)
Distillate is oil refined down to concentrated cannabinoids (often THC). Because the refining process can remove much of the original terpene profile, terpenes are sometimes added back for flavor and consistency.
Live Resin
Live resin is made from cannabis that’s frozen shortly after harvest, which helps preserve more of the plant’s natural terpene profile. That’s why it’s often associated with stronger aroma and flavor.
Solventless Rosin (Including Live Rosin)
Rosin is made with heat and pressure—no solvents. “Live rosin” uses frozen material, while standard rosin uses dried/cured material.
Full-Spectrum Oils
“Full-spectrum” usually means the oil includes a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes than heavily refined products. If you want specifics, the COA (lab report) will show what that batch actually contains.
Bottom line: extraction doesn’t tell you what’s “best”—it tells you what kind of oil you’re looking at, and what questions to ask before you buy.
Quality Testing Requirements in Ohio
Before any vape product can be sold in an Ohio dispensary, it has to pass independent, third-party lab testing.
That’s not just a “nice to have,” it’s one of the safeguards built into a regulated program, and it’s why licensed products come with batch-specific results.
- Cannabinoids: Confirms the THC/CBD (and other cannabinoid) levels listed on the label for that specific batch.
- Terpenes: Verifies the terpene profile when a product includes terpene info, which can affect aroma and flavor expectations.
- Microbial Impurities: Screens for unwanted microbial contamination so products meet safety standards.
- Heavy Metals: Checks for trace metals that can come from equipment or other sources and ensures they’re within allowable limits.
- Pesticides: Confirms pesticide residues are below regulated thresholds before products reach shelves.
- Residual Solvents: Ensures any solvents used during extraction have been properly removed to meet compliance limits.
Quick shopper tip: you can ask to see the product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA)—the lab report for that exact batch—and staff can help you interpret it if you want a second set of eyes.
6 Licensed Ohio Vape Pen Brands to Know
These licensed cultivators and processors manufacture vaporization products sold in Ohio. Availability can vary a lot by location and week, so the easiest way to confirm what’s in stock is to browse the brand pages on Story.
One Ohio-specific note: several of the brands below make products in the Luster Pod format, so if you already use that battery, you’ll likely spot familiar options across multiple menus.
Klutch Cannabis
Klutch’s vape lineup is intentionally broad—spanning options like live resin, live rosin, and full-spectrum CO₂ oil—so you’ll often see them in multiple “oil style” buckets on menus.
They’re also closely associated with Luster hardware in Ohio, including branded Luster battery options.
Klutch vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
Buckeye Relief
Buckeye Relief makes it easy to shop by format and oil style: they explicitly list 510 carts, Luster pods, and disposables, with clearly labeled lines like 100% live resin versus distillate-based options with cannabis- or botanical-derived terpenes.
If you like “I know what I’m buying before I click,” this brand tends to be organized that way.
Buckeye Relief vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
Butterfly Effect by Grow Ohio
Butterfly Effect is Grow Ohio’s flagship brand—and Grow Ohio notes it was the first brand patients could purchase under Ohio’s medical program, so it’s been in-market a long time.
You’ll also see Butterfly Effect in the pod category, including full-spectrum CO₂-derived oil in Luster pod starter kit-style products on menus.
Butterfly Effect vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
RYTHM by Green Thumb Industries
RYTHM positions its vape products around “no additives” and consistent formulation across formats, including vape cartridges and pod systems (like PAX pods) depending on the market.
If you’re comparison-shopping, RYTHM tends to be easy to spot because their vape lineup is standardized and widely distributed.
RYTHM vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
Firelands Scientific (FiSci)
FiSci is especially known for its solventless side. Firelands describes its live rosin approach as small-batch and solvent-free, which is a differentiator shoppers often look for when they’re trying to avoid solvent-based processing.
And yes, FiSci is also one of the brands you’ll commonly see tied to the Luster pod format in Ohio menus.
FiSci vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
Certified Cultivators
Certified Cultivators is an Ohio-grown brand based in Dayton. You’ll find their special line of discreet cartridges and disposable vapes, formulated for a flavorful, non-cannabis predominant flavor and aroma, perfect for staying low-key. If you’re browsing menus and want something produced in-state, this is a good brand to click into and check what’s available today.
Certified vapes are available at licensed OH dispensaries, including at Story Cannabis.
Explore Ohio Vape Pens at Your Local Story Dispensary
Ohio dispensaries carry a lot of vape options, but the shopping process gets much simpler once you break it into two decisions: format first (510, pod, or disposable), then oil style (based on how it’s made and what the label is telling you).
If you’re an Ohio regular, it’s also worth remembering that Luster Pods are a common local format, just make sure the pod matches the battery you’re using.
Take your time, read the label, and don’t be shy about asking to see a COA if you want batch-specific details. And if you’re stuck between two options, Story’s team can help you check compatibility and compare formats without the guesswork.
Ready to browse? Explore vape products and Ohio brands on Story, and check availability at your nearest location.
Story Cannabis is a licensed cannabis dispensary operating in compliance with Ohio law and regulations issued by the Division of Cannabis Control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cannabis vape products can I buy in Ohio?
Most Ohio menus include three main formats: 510-thread cartridges, pod-based systems (including popular options like Luster Pods), and disposable vape pens.
Do all vape cartridges work with any battery?
No. 510 cartridges work with 510 batteries, but pods only work with their matching pod battery. Always confirm compatibility before you buy.
What is in a vape?
In Ohio’s regulated market, cannabis vapes typically contain cannabis oil with cannabinoids like THC (and sometimes CBD), plus terpenes depending on the product. Labels and lab reports (COAs) show what’s in a specific batch.
What’s the difference between distillate, live resin, and rosin?
Distillate is more refined and concentrates cannabinoids. Live resin is made from frozen plant material to preserve more aroma/flavor compounds. Rosin is made with heat and pressure (solventless), and “live rosin” uses frozen material.
Are Ohio vape products tested before they’re sold?
Yes. Licensed products must pass required lab testing (and you can ask to see the Certificate of Analysis/COA for the batch).
Do Luster Pods work with any pod battery?
No. Luster Pods are designed for Luster-compatible batteries: other pod systems won’t fit. If you use a Luster battery, shop for products clearly labeled “Luster Pod.”
How should I store vape products at home?
Keep them in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct sun. Store cartridges upright when possible, and keep all cannabis products away from kids and pets.
