Marijuana Organization Warns Against Vaping Unlicensed THC Oils

Source from:  VapingPost 09/19/2019

New reports have linked cases of acute lung disease across the US to vaping unlicensed marijuana products. In response to this a Marijuana Reform Organization has issued a warning against consuming such products.

One of the latest accusations faced by the vaping industry, has been that e-cigs are behind the outbreak of a severe lung disease which has popped up across a number of US states. Up until now there have been over 450 such cases reported, some of which have tragically resulted in death.

Most of the cases have occurred amongst young adults, and the acute disease appears to be lipoid pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and/or chemical pneumonitis. All hospitalized individuals have allegedly reported using e-cigarettes and therefore physicians, health departments, and the CDC alike, had been urging the public to stop vaping.

Recent study points to the use of unlicensed THC products.

Meanwhile, the cases reported in California, Illinois and Wisconsin and other localities, have been connected to vaping unlicensed cannabis products. A new study looked into 53 cases by patients in Illinois and Wisconsin, who had vaped within 90 days of their symptoms, typically within the previous week. Most of these patients, 84%, admitted to vaping illegally purchased cannabis products.

“Patients reported using 14 distinct brands of THC products and 13 brands of nicotine products in a wide range of flavors,” said the researchers. “The most common THC product that was reported was marketed under the ‘Dank Vape’ label (reported by 24 of 41 interviewed patients [59%]). Patients reported use of a number of different e-cigarette devices to aerosolize these products.”

In line with these findings, earlier this month FDA’s former chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb tweeted that given the controls set in place, it makes sense that the cases would be linked to the consumption of illegal products. “The legal vapes have been actively regulated by FDA since Aug 2017. FDA has conducted thousands of inspections of manufacturers and vape stores, published manufacturing guidance, sought product removals etc. These tragedies point to illegal vapes and THC,” he said.

“Health officials can target imports and conduct blitzes at international mail facilities to try and capture, shut down more illegal and counterfeit vapes and source some of the dangerous products. There are already published FDA lists of known dangerous ingredients to look for,” added Gottlieb at the time.  Enditem