Marijuana is sheltered from the ban on electronic cigarettes; to face the national examination for lung disease

The Marijuana vape pens are safe from the ban on flavored electronic cigarettes recently announced by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and then by President Donald Trump, but they are facing their own problems.

Whitmer and Trump are trying to combat the growing epidemic of health problems among young people who are out of breath by banning the sale of nicotine-flavored electronic cigarette products.

But another health emergency is emerging – it concerns products containing marijuana.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating 380 cases of pulmonary disease reported in 36 states and one US territory related to vaping. Six deaths have also been reported. According to the CDC, most of these patients reported using a THC vaporizer, although many of them used both THC and nicotine.

In Michigan, the state's health department has opened an investigation into six cases of respiratory illnesses related to vapor inhalation. According to Bob Wheaton, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there are some cases involving people who have used THC vaping products.

According to data provided by medical director, Dr. Cynthia Aaron, 11 people have reportedly been suffering from the harmful effects of marijuana since the beginning of the year in the Michigan Poison Center at Wayne State University. Six of these cases involved patients under 18 years of age.

The Marijuana Regulatory Agency has not published any warnings or recalls in connection with national or national investigations of respiratory diseases caused by products containing marijuana.

"Consumer safety is still a major concern for the MRA," said the Marijuana Regulatory Agency in a statement. "We are watching the problem and communicating with public health officials when they are investigating these issues."

The CDC has not yet identified the cause of the diseases.

"Our lab is working closely with our federal and regional partners to identify products or substances that may cause the disease and has received more than 120 samples from states to date. The FDA is testing them for a wide range of chemicals, but no substance, including vitamin E acetate, has been identified in any of the tested samples, "said the Acting FDA Commissioner. Dr. Ned Sharpless, in a statement. " It is important to identify all compounds. The presence in the samples will be part of the puzzle, but will not necessarily answer questions about causality, which makes our work in progress essential. "

Initial reports have indicated that thickeners such as vitamin E acetate have been found in cannabis products collected from ill patients, according to media reports.

Companies that are trying to get the best value with THC Vape are adding thickening products to cannabis oil, a common practice on the black market, said William McClean, CEO of Wildflower Brands – a CBD vape based in Canada. company that sells its products in the United States

"People get sick because they pull their products off the illicit market," McClean said.

This week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo asked the state health department to subpoena three companies that were selling Vitamin E thickeners – among them a company that had been in business. Ypsilanti, Floraplex Terpenes, according to media reports.

This week, a Michigan medical marijuana company has called on state officials to ban the use of unnatural additives and cutting agents in vape cartridges. .

"Manufacturers are saving money by using unnatural ingredients as additives in vape cartridges," said Michael Elias, CEO of Michigan Pure Med, in a statement. We urge elected leaders to take swift action to ban this potentially dangerous practice. "

It is not just the vaping of liquid that is examined. The material can be problematic.

In April, Michigan regulators warned of possible lead contamination from certain marijuana-based vaping products due to the potential presence in the pen of components that could leach lead into the liquid. vaporised. The warning came after a batch of marijuana vape cartridges for medical purposes in Michigan tested positive for lead – and prompted regulators to change their testing requirements .

McClean stated that many vaping products are made from inexpensive materials that are neither medical grade nor food safe and do not have adequate temperature control. Some brands add chemicals to increase the vapor cloud of the device.

"Companies have planned other solutions to make the cloud whiter and bigger. When you spray cannabis oil, it becomes light gray. It's not so visible, "said McClean.

In a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives in February 2018, Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed that the heating coils of electronic cigarettes leak lead and other heavy metals into the vaping liquid – which then found in the aerosol. the inhaled user. In addition to lead, researchers have discovered potentially dangerous levels of chromium, manganese and nickel. According to the study, inhalation of these metals over time has been linked to lung, liver, immune system, cardiovascular and cerebral diseases, as well as to certain cancers.

"What's happening right now is scary," said McClean. "It shows why you need these regulations."

In Michigan, the filled marijuana cartridge must first be tested before being sold in a medical supply center. The cartridges are tested for their potency, heavy metals, chemicals such as pesticides and residual solvents from the extraction process such as butane and propane.

However, it is not necessary to test the vaporization liquid after heating. McClean said this is not common practice at the national level, but should be considered as the sector evolves.

– Amy Biolchini is the marijuana thresher for MLive. Contact her with questions, advice or comments to [email protected]. Learn more about MLive about medical and recreational marijuana.