Things to know before purchasing vaping products
Regardless of your level of interest in the cannabis industry, you have heard the news and perhaps debated the causes of the current vaping-related illnesses. Our intent here is to inform the public and more importantly the consumer about what they should know about vaping and cannabis extracts. As now famous Boston Globe Cannabis writer Dan Adams would say – let’s get to it.
As the number of people developing vaping-related illness grows, Federal and state officials are warning against the use of e-cigarettes, particularly those containing cannabis extracts. In late September, Massachusetts implemented a total ban of vaping products that use an electronic coil device; that includes dry herb vaping products. The order states, “The sale or display of all vaping products to customers in retail establishments, online, and through any other means, including all non-flavored and flavored vaping products, including mint and menthol, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and any other cannabinoid, is prohibited in the Commonwealth.” In summary, NO vaping method using an electronic atomizer is allowed for sale or distribution in MA.
Governor Baker’s statement explains that “the purpose of this public health emergency is to temporarily pause all sales of vaping products so that we can work with our medical experts to identify what is making people sick and how to better regulate these products to protect the health of our residents. Vaping is the fundamental issue here. It’s not about anything else. It’s not about nicotine. It’s not about marijuana. It’s about vaping.”
By late-October 2019, 1479 vaping-related lung injury cases had been reported to the US Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC). Reports were filed by every state except Alaska, as well as the District of Columbia and one US territory. Thirty-four deaths, including two women in MA, have been confirmed in twenty-four states.
Cannabis, nicotine, and vaping supplies are readily available in neighboring states in both legal and illicit markets. Discussions on MA Cannabis forums have indicated that business is booming in the easily accessible shops in NH and ME. The illicit market in both states, which has no testing or community support policies, is also experiencing increased business.
New Hampshire has a medical cannabis program only, but there are numerous nicotine-based vape shops in the state.
Maine has medical, legal, and illicit market cannabis available. (The medical dispensaries honor MA medicinal cards.) Although Maine’s legal adult use market has stringent testing requirements, testing standards for medicinal cannabis are much weaker. According to the Maine Office of Marijuana Policy, Pesticide Applicators License Required sets the standard for medical processing. “Growers planning to use any pesticides (including all conventional, organic or ‘natural’ insecticides, rodenticides, weed killers, fungicides, rooting hormones or other plant hormones) must have a Pesticide Applicators License from the Maine Board of Pesticides Control. (https://www.maine.gov/dafs/omp/medical-use/pesticides.
In searching through available resources to find solid information about the effects of vaping, I discovered Emma Chasen, the co-founder of Eminent Consulting. She studies and teaches Cannabis Botany, Cannabis Compounds, the Endocannabinoid Receptor System, Cannabis products, consumption methods, and compassionate client care. I highly recommend following her research. Following are some key takeaways.
- A high percentage of cartridges in the New York market that are testing upwards of 70% additive and 30% cannabis oil. Ideally, products ingested should be 100% cannabis extract. She emphasized the importance of knowing your product, asking questions, and only ingesting 100% cannabis extract.
- Be sure your purchase is free of sugars, fats and harmful metals. Consider the following example: If you add coconut oil to a hot drink, the leftover fats solidify and cling to the sides of the mug as it cools. According to the science behind this example, the same thing happens in your lungs.
- The vap cartridges themselves can also be a problem. I have not heard of any bulk purchases of empty vap cartridges that are not made in China where the soldering practices are poorly regulated and could be a source of heavy metal-related issues.
- Educate yourself about the products you intend to purchase and ask questions to determine the safety of the product.
Customers should to ask how much of the $70 vape cartridge purchased in MA contains fillers, and what percentage is fillers vs actual cannabis extract. You can purchase 100% cannabis extract (wax, shatter, or a hash product) for the same price. The price for the convenience of a prefilled cartridge is currently high. No one wants any residual left in their lungs, and certainly no one wants to see a family member or loved one suffer due to a poorly produced product.
Our goal at CNA Stores is to create healthier, happier lives, and we believe further education and science-based knowledge is the proper approach. For now, be safe about what you consume and trust only those who can back up their claims about ingredients before you ingest or inhale any of their products. We will remain vigilant and follow the science so we can provide the safest product possible to the people who choose CNA as their trusted source for legitimate cannabis needs.
To hear Emma Chasen’s two-part interview on the Periodic Effect podcast, use the link below.
Part 1: https://youtu.be/iZmKd3hiCjc
Part 2: https://youtu.be/g1FmBXDaNSI
For more of the heavy metal findings in vap cartridges.
https://www.leafly.com/news/health/california-cannabis-labs-are-finding-toxic-metal-in-vape-carts
For more information regarding the content of this article or CNA products contact Scott Winters scott@cnastores.com
