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Understanding Vaping Liquids in Quebec

By SQDC.ca | Published on March 31, 2026

Vaping liquids sold in Québec are made from cannabis extracts. But what does the word extract really mean? Is it the same thing as a concentrate? And what exactly does a vaping cartridge sold in Québec contain?

Here are a few key points to help you better understand the composition of the vaping liquids used in cartridges available on the regulated market, so you can make a choice that suits you.

At the SQDC, they are grouped according to the extract that dominates their composition.

Photo of a cannabis vaping cartridge with a standardized THC symbol.

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*Note that at the SQDC, vaping cartridges are grouped according to the extract that predominates in their composition, namely rosin, resin, or distillate.

Extract vs. Concentrate: The Differences

Intuitively, people may sometimes use “extract” and “concentrate” interchangeably to refer to a high-THC cannabis product. However, this usage is incorrect, because a cannabis extract does not necessarily have a high THC content. Here’s the explanation.

What is an extract?

An extract refers to any cannabis product obtained through an extraction process, regardless of whether its THC content is high or low. After extraction, the level of refinement may vary: some extracts retain much of the plant’s natural profile, while others isolate specific compounds. The product can then be consumed in its original form (hash, rosin, etc.) or incorporated into a derivative product, such as ingestible oils.

What is a concentrate?

The term “concentrate” is more general and does not refer to a specific product. In the industry, it is often used to describe any cannabis product whose active compound content is significantly higher than that of the natural flower. According to this definition, a concentrate can be used to make an oil. However, once mixed with other ingredients to reach Quebec’s regulatory limit of 30%, the final product would generally no longer be considered a concentrate.

In summary:

Extract is the official regulatory term for any cannabis product obtained through extraction, whether high in THC or not.

Concentrate is a common term often used to describe products that retain a large proportion of active compounds.

From Joint to Cartridge

Raw cannabis extracts (rosin, resin, distillate, etc.) can be consumed in a joint or using a dab rig without prior processing. However, to be compatible with vaping devices, these naturally dense extracts must be thinned.

Approved diluting agents can be added to raw extracts by manufacturers, but alternatives are also possible.

Learn more about rosin, resin, and distillate.

Alternatives Without Diluting Agents

Several suppliers use diluent-free manufacturing processes, for example by adding CBD, minor cannabinoids, and other types of extracts into a single cartridge. Currently, all vaping products sold at the SQDC contain no diluents.

The SQDC ensures that suppliers certify the safety of any ingredient added to adjust extract fluidity. Additionally, all ingredients present in a vaping cartridge must be listed on the packaging, unlike the unregulated market.

The Particularity of Distillate

Unlike rosin and resin, distillate is a cannabis extract almost entirely devoid of other cannabinoids and the terpenes responsible for taste and aroma. This is why it is described as “neutral”: it has little taste or smell and offers a relatively consistent composition from batch to batch.

To recreate a fuller profile in vaping cartridges, producers may add terpenes or other cannabinoids, depending on the desired formulation. A cartridge can also contain a blend of extracts, such as a distillate/rosin combination.

Picture of distillate, a cannabis extract composed primarily of a single cannabinoid.

Residual Solvents

Terms like solvent, butane, or hydrocarbon can seem concerning when associated with cannabis consumption. While this is understandable, solvents are effective tools for extracting cannabinoids. Before a legal product can be sold, evaporation steps and laboratory analyses confirm compliance with Health Canada standards. This level of rigor is not present in the unregulated market, where control procedures can vary or be absent.

How to Choose a Vaping Product That Suits You

Extracts used for vaping each have their particularities. Their composition and production method partly explain these differences. The following points highlight what is useful to know about each.

Rosin and Resin

Characteristics:

These extracts largely preserve the natural arrangement of active cannabis compounds.
This allows for a profile more faithful to the original strain without adding isolated molecules.

Limitations:

Achieving optimal viscosity is difficult, making formulation for cartridges more complex.
Production costs and prices are often higher due to the fuller profile and complexity of production.

Distillate

Characteristics:

Its fluid texture is better suited for vaping device heating systems.
The concentration of active compounds is more stable, ensuring consistency from batch to batch.
Generally lower cost due to more efficient production processes.

Limitations:

Neutral or absent initial taste due to cannabinoid isolation.
Terpenes and cannabinoids can be reintroduced to recreate a fuller profile, but the result may differ from flower or less-refined products (rosin or resin).

Descriptive table explaining the differences between rosin, resin, and distillate extracts designed for cannabis vaping cartridges in Quebec.

In Conclusion

At the SQDC, vaping cartridges are grouped according to the extract that dominates their composition: rosin, resin, or distillate. This categorization provides a first reference point for understanding what your product contains. However, some cartridges may combine several types of extracts.

To know exactly what your cartridge contains, consult the ingredient list on the label: all ingredients must be included. You can also check the list of extracts on the product page on sqdc.ca. Information on the extraction method used (e.g., heat-pressing flowers or hash, type of solvent) is at the supplier’s discretion.

Questions about vaping products available at the SQDC? Our advisors in-store and via chat are available to help. If you encounter issues with your device, contact our Customer relations team.

Products

How can I know exactly what’s in my cartridge?

The best reference is the ingredient list on your packaging, which must include all compounds present, including added terpenes, cannabinoids, and formulation agents (if any), unlike the unregulated market.
What does a vaping cartridge sold in Quebec actually contain?

Cartridges on the regulated market contain one or more cannabis extracts (rosin, resin, distillate, isolate) along with other ingredients necessary to ensure the vaping liquid’s fluidity and stability, such as CBD, minor cannabinoids, terpenes, or Health Canada–approved diluents.

Currently, all SQDC vaping products contain no diluents.
Why do some cartridges list “blend” in the strain name?

Highly purified extracts, like THC distillate, are isolated from other compounds in the original strain. The strain profile is then recreated, hence the “blend” label. The product name may still reference the strain that inspired the profile.
What terpene concentration can be expected in a vaping product?

Cartridges can contain up to 10% terpenes, depending on the product. In Quebec, flavors come only from naturally occurring terpenes in cannabis; no artificial flavors are allowed.
Are vaping liquids tested?

Yes. In the regulated market, all cannabis products undergo mandatory testing, verifying the absence of residual solvents, ingredient compliance, and the presence of microbial or chemical contaminants.
What other cannabinoids can be found in vaping products?

Other cannabinoids like cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN) may be present in varying amounts. Some producers may add them to thin the cannabis extract without using diluents. Learn more about minor cannabinoids.
Where can I find the extraction method used for my cartridge?

Typically, product types correspond to specific extraction methods: a rosin product is mechanically extracted, while resin and distillate products are chemically extracted. The level of detail communicated is at the supplier’s discretion (type of solvent, raw material, etc.) and may appear on the packaging.
Why does an extract’s texture need to be modified for vaping?

Most “raw” extracts are too thick to flow properly in a cartridge. Without adjustment, they would not heat evenly. Manufacturers adapt fluidity to ensure safe use and compatibility with the device’s heating system.
What extracts are used in vaping cartridges?

SQDC cartridges may contain rosin, resin, distillate, isolate, or a mix of multiple extracts.
What is the difference between a cannabis extract and a concentrate?

An extract is the official regulatory term for any cannabis product obtained through extraction, whether high in THC or not.

A concentrate is a common term often used to describe products that retain a large proportion of active compounds.

An extract can be considered a concentrate, but a final diluted product is not necessarily a concentrate.
Are the extracts used in vaping liquids the same as those for combustion?

Yes. However, although they come from the same types of extracts, those intended for vaping must be adapted through various processes to be compatible with vaping devices.
What ingredients can be added to make an extract compatible with a vape?

Some producers add CBD, minor cannabinoids, or terpenes to thin the mixture without using diluents, which is currently the case for all SQDC cartridges.

Understanding Vaping Liquids in Quebec