Packaging, Labeling & Product Design

 

 

The ACDC PAX Era box’s design is about the same as all of the other PAX pods I’ve come across: minimal white cardboard like you’d find at the Apple Store.

 

The box itself has a graphic indicating the best time of day to use, the cannabinoid content: 49.29% CBD+CBDa, 17.23% total THC, 0.780% terpenes plus lab tests for micro-biologicals, pesticides, and residual solvents.

 

Unfortunately, there’s no way to verify these results. I’d also like to see full cannabinoid and major terpene profiles and know what the other 32.7% of this oil consists of.

 

When I opened the box, I expected to see a card with info on the recommended vape temperature like the last NATIV pod I tried, but no luck.

 

The pod comes in a canister with a sleek and clever design, sporting a hard-plastic see-through window and a child-proof twist top that could fit on a prescription pill bottle. I initially had trouble opening it! Wait, if I struggled to open a child-safe twist top, does that make my ex right?

 

And unlike the my last NATIV pod, this one had a sticker on the top and bottom of the cardboard slipcase to keep anyone from tampering with it.

 

While I like this clean, muted style, it’s not nearly as eye-catching as many other brands that utilize PAX pods. The pod itself is clearly labeled so I won’t risk of mixing up this pod with the rest of my of mood-altering characters.

 

Quality, Ease of Use

 

The oil is clear and almost colorless, with a slight buttery tint (thankfully without a buttery taste like California chardonnay). While it has a rich, sunny color, the oil was thinner than I like.

 

As the label says, there’s only 0.780% terpenes, so the taste is subtle. It offered a pleasant sour flavor that I expect from the ACDC strain, which was more delectable than NATIV’s OG Rosin pod (also reviewed).

 

However, the flavor does have some inert taste that I can’t quite put my finger on, something you don’t expect in a Pax Era Pod. Still, the overall flavor isn’t bad, but not as tasty as a CBD cartridge like the Marley Natural Red.

 

This lack of thickness coupled with the slightly vague flavor makes me wonder if some filler was added.

 

Potency, Effectiveness & Affordability

 

 

Set at the suggested 640°F (which I had to find on their site) and this pod provides a thick, smooth and sizeable vapor cloud I like. Surprising considering the other  last NATIV pod I tried didn’t produce nearly as much at its suggested temp. Luckily, you can always crank up or reduce the temperature to your preference.

 

After three hits I started calming down, racing heart settling. Finally some relief. This lasted for about a half hour until I started to puff again. They may not be as long-lasting as other CBD vapes (like Select’s Ringo’s Gift), but that may be because of the equal ratio (I usually prefer a 1:1.)

 

Expect a slight head-change as a result of the mild levels of THC in this vape, but expect it to be chill. A great choice if you’re new to cannabis and want to ease into it.

 

For around $56, the price is on par with many other CBD vape oils; the fact that it’s a PAX Era-compatible pod makes it an even greater value! However, seeing that 32.7% of the oil is unaccounted for makes me uneasy.

 

Nugg Score: How the Nugg Team Rates This Product

 

Packaging: 4/5

• Minimal packaging with a sleek inside canister.
• Child-safe twist top that keeps product secure.
• Sticker on top and bottom to prevent tampering.
• Stylish but muted style; not nearly as eye-catching as other brands that utilize PAX pods.

 

Labeling: 3.5/5

• Minimal labeling on exterior box.
• Lists CBD, THC and terpene percentages on the back.
• Graphic indicates the best time of day to use.
• States that this product has passed tests, but there’s no way to verify.
• I would have liked to see the full cannabinoid profile and major terpenes.

 

Cartridge Quality: 4.5/5

• Oil is contained in food-grade plastic with a dual-wick and dual-airflow.
• Leak resistant.
• A true marvel of modern technology.

 

Taste: 3.5/5

• Only 0.780% terps, so taste is subtle.
• A pleasant sour taste that I expect from the ACDC strain, but not as tasty as other vapes I’ve tried.
• I definitely got more flavor from this ACDC pod than from NATIV’s OG pod.
• Contains some inert taste that I can’t pinpoint — could be a filler of sorts.

 

Vapor Quality: 5/5

• Had to find the suggested temperature online (640 degrees).
• Pod provides a thick, smooth vapor.
• Exactly the size of cloud I like to pull from a vape (more than the last time I tried a NATIV pod).

 

Oil Quality: 3.5/5

• Clear, nearly colorless with a slight yellow tint.
• Too thin for a high rating; makes me wonder about added filler.

 

Effectiveness: 4.5/5

• After three puffs, my body felt calm and my racing heart began to settle.
• Effects lasted 25 minutes; not as long as other CBD-rich vapes on the market.
• Expect a slight head-change, but a chill experience overall.

 

Ease of Use: 3.5/5

• If you have the proper battery, it’s just plug ‘n play.
• PAX Era battery tech allows you to control precise heat settings down to a single degree.
• If you don’t have the PAX Era battery, your oil is as good as wasted.

 

Consistency: 5/5

• These PAX pods will always provide the same results, and so will NATIV’s oil inside.
• A trusted brand to provide consistent relief.

 

Price: 3.5/5

• For $56, the price is on par with many other CBD vape cartridges on the market.
• Since it’s in a PAX Pod, this NATIV ACDC is an even greater value!
• The unknown oil kept me from giving it a higher score.  

 

Overall Rating: 4.05

 

The NATIV ACDC pod helped me survive a high-angst day. Its efficacy and high-quality, leak resistant design make them more unique than most, especially with the app allowing you to control the heat to a single degree.

 

This tasty PAX Era 3:1 ACDC vape greatly eased my stress related symptoms. I only wish I knew what the over 30% of unknown oil consisted of. The cost is comparable to other PAX pods – just remember to get the PAX Era battery. Otherwise, like trickle-down economics and warm Coca-Cola, this pod won’t do anything for you!