Vaping FAQs

is vaping marijuana cartridges safe

by Jane Nolan Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Legal Cannabis Vape Cartridges Are Safe The fact is that the legal vape market is 1,000% times safer than the illicit market. While there have been 2,807 total cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), ZERO cases are linked with legal, state-licensed cannabis vape products.

THC vape cartridges — also called vape pens — may be dangerous if they contain vitamin E acetate, an ingredient that has been found to cause acute vaping illness and lung injury.

Full Answer

Is vaping cannabis safe?

Of all the methods of ingesting cannabis, vaping (short for "vaporizing") has grown the most in popularity in recent years. It involves heating — but not burning — cannabis and then inhaling the vapor. It's generally thought to be safer than smoking, and it's more discreet and convenient. But is it actually safe?

Is it safe to buy vape products from the street?

The FDA’s alert specifically warns against buying vaping products “from the street.” In fact, a Forbes article from September 3 suggests that dangers related to non-medical marijuana vaping products could even lead to federal cannabis legalization (which would allow regulatory boards to make sure harmful agents are not included).

Is it safe to vape with a wax pen?

Using the best wax vape pen is not a guarantee for safe legal marijuana vaping. Vapers should also be careful when it comes to the sources and ingredients of the marijuana that they vaporize. That’s because the source of the marijuana that a person vapes determines the elements in it.

Are e-juice and vape cartridges safe to use?

Both substances are commonly added to e-juice and vapor cartridges to thin out an otherwise thick, honey-like material. Unfortunately, while these additives are generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) they can transform into more dangerous substances when heated to the point of combustion.

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Why are vape pens going under?

But with cannabis testing regulations going into effect July 1, Green believes many vape brands will go under due to a lack of compliant product and increased costs related to compliance. "So, you're going to start to see some consolidation among the brands," he said. "There won't be 45 vape pens on the shelf.".

Why is vaping so popular?

Vaporizing cannabis has grown in popularity in recent years due to its convenience, discretion, and perceived health benefits. But there are safety concerns.

What heating element is used in vape pens?

The actual heating element can vary, from ceramic to glass to metal. Green said the nichrome (or nickel-chromium) wire — the same type of heating mechanism you'll find in a toaster — is the most common heating element found in vape pens.

What is the silver tip on a vape pen?

Green said many vape pens also have silver tips (the part you suck on), which are nickel or chrome plating . "You don't see those on medical devices because they aren't safe," he said. (He said Dosist uses medical-grade plastic for its exterior.)

How hot does cannabis oil need to be to be aerosolized?

While cannabis oil only needs to be heated between 160- and 190-degrees Celsius to begin to aerosolize, vaping devices do not heat evenly or consistently. People also use the products differently.

Where are vape pens made?

Jeremy Green, COO of vape pen company Dosist, noted that almost all vape pens are made in Shenzhen, China, which bills itself as the headquarters of the e-cig industry. (Vape pens are made from the same device as e-cigarettes.) The actual heating element can vary, from ceramic to glass to metal.

Is propylene glycol safe to use?

Although the FDA classifies it as "generally recognized as safe," there are concerns about propylene glycol when it's heated to high temperatures, according to a 2015 report by Jahan Marcu, chief scientific officer for Americans for Safe Access.

Why do we use terpenes in vape pens?

Instead we use cannabis-derived terpenes in all of our vape pens to reduce the viscosity of cannabis extracts for vaping.

What Medical Marijuana Products Contain Vitamin E Acetate?

A number of Florida medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs), or dispensaries, have issued statements in response to the FDA’s warning.

How many deaths are associated with e-cigarettes?

To date, there have been over 450 possible cases of lung illness and five deaths associated with the use of e-cigarettes. ( UPDATE: As of September 27, the number has risen to 805.) The FDA and CDC are currently investigating a number of factors that could contribute to adverse reactions, including: nicotine, THC and other cannabinoids along with cutting agents/diluents and other additives, pesticides, opioids, poisons and toxins.

What is the most common THC product?

The most common THC product that was reported was marketed under the ‘Dank Vape’ label.

When was THC a warning?

On September 6, 2019 , the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer/health professional MedWatch safety alert titled, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing Vaping Products: Vaping Illnesses. Today, CannaMD takes a closer look at what the FDA warning says and what medical cannabis patients need to know about marijuana vaping products.

How to report a poisoning to the FDA?

In addition to submitting an online report via the FDA’s Safety Reporting Portal, individuals who experience adverse reactions are also encouraged to contact their local health care provider and/or call their local poison control center at 1 (800) 222-1222.

What is an e-cigarette?

Note: E-cigarettes are devices that deliver an aerosol to the user by heating a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. E-cigarettes can also be used to deliver marijuana or other substances.

Why are cigarettes dangerous?

The reason cigarettes are dangerous isn’t because of the nicotine. The tar and other chemicals that cause emphysema or cancer make it so dangerous. Burning or inhaling is a bad idea. That’s why we will probably discover that marijuana is bad for your lungs, too.”.

Why are e-cigarettes bad for youth?

These are similar in nature to vaporizers used for marijuana, and can greatly impact youth because of the potential cancer-causing substances they release.

How many states allow medical marijuana?

The research on medical marijuana looks promising. However, we still don’t know whether it’s an effective treatment. Beyond that, only 31 states , as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia allow the use of marijuana for medical use.

What is the active ingredient in marijuana?

Two drugs that are a synthetic laboratory version with chemical structure of or similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another active ingredient in marijuana, are approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Can smoking marijuana cause damage?

Smoking marijuana can cause damage with rupture to the walls of adjacent alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs) into larger, ineffective air sacs called bullae. The risk is higher in male smokers under the age of 45.

Does smoking marijuana cause bronchitis?

This is associated with an increased likelihood of developing chronic bronchitis. The inhalation patterns when smoking marijuana are different than when smoking cigarettes.

Is marijuana good for you?

Health benefits of marijuana. Marijuana may provide calming effects that improve certain mental and physical conditions. For instance, a doctor might recommend medical marijuana to people with Crohn’s disease as an alternative way to ease inflammation, nausea, and vomiting .

Why are People Concerned about Safety when Vaping Legal Marijuana?

Foremost among them are difficulties in breathing. This led to increasing reports of what later came to be known as EVALI.

What is illegal vape?

Untested, unregulated, and illegal vapes can be made of the contaminated marijuana plant that is blended with low-quality, harmful ingredients. And, these are usually misrepresented or not disclosed to consumers. So, when a person buys marijuana from a wrong source, it can have pesticides, mildew, mold, artificial flavorings, vitamin E, heavy metals, and synthetic cannabinoids.

How many states allow marijuana?

Just 33 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the US Virgin Islands, have approved comprehensive, accessible marijuana/cannabis health programs. Supported efforts in 13 states allow you to use low THC and high cannabidiol (CBD) products for medical reasons in limited situations or as legal recourse.

What states have medical marijuana laws?

Since then, 32 more states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands have passed similar laws. As of June 25, 2019, 14 states ...

How many scientific abstracts are there on marijuana?

In early 2017, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report based on a review of more than 10,000 scientific abstracts of marijuana health research. They also made 100 health-related findings and suggested ways to improve cannabis research.

Is vaping a good alternative to smoking?

Some people have even switched from smoking cannabis to vaping. That’s because they consider vaping a healthier alternative to smoking as it does not involve combustion. Virtually, vaping eliminates the smoke and concerns associated with it.

How many states have legalized cannabis?

As of June 25, 2019, 14 states and territories have approved adult cannabis. As of January 22, 2018, the Vermont State Legislature passed a law to legalize adult use, and the governor signed the bill. This measure does not establish a system for regulating sales or production. See the measure text below.

What Is the Best Kind of Vaporizer?

The best vaporizers are ones that use ceramic heaters or titanium coils to heat up the extract or flower, and have no loose parts inside the vaporizer (i.e. one that is well-made and sturdy). Disposable vaporizers are of variable quality and, as many are cheaply made in China, could mean breathing in burning hot heavy metal particles. This is, as you can imagine, quite toxic.

Should You Make Your Own Safe Marijuana Oil For Vaping?

Such extracts can be vaporized, or even infused into coconut or olive oil to make a homemade tincture (which is not suitable for vaporizing, but a great way to ingest).

What about vaping?

Vaping marijuana involves inhaling heated oil through a vaporizing device , often referred to as an e-cigarette. Vaping marijuana can also refer to using a vaporizer, such as a Volcano, to produce vapor from dried plant material.

How long does it take for vaping to work?

Both smoking and vaping have an almost immediate effect on the body. Their effects peak within 10 to 15 minutes.

How long does marijuana last?

Effects are often long lasting — anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. For this reason, it’s important to start slowly. Consume a very small amount if you’re ingesting marijuana for the first time. For example, a common dose for edibles is 10 milligrams of THC. If you’re just starting out, opt for 2 to 5 milligrams of THC.

What is it called when you mix marijuana with tobacco?

Some people mix their marijuana with tobacco, so it’s a bit less potent (this is called a spliff).

What are the negative effects of smoking weed?

Some negative health effects associated with chronic weed smoking include: air pockets between the lungs and lungs and chest wall. chronic bronchitis. cough. excessive mucus production. possible increased risk of infection in immunocompromised people, such as those with HIV.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

Some people believe vaping is safer than smoking because it doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. But the reality is, when it comes to vaping marijuana, there’s much less known about the negative health effects.

Is marijuana safer than smoking tobacco?

One of the more well-known cannabinoids is called CBD. For this reason, some people believe smoking marijuana is less dangerous than smoking tobacco.

Why are vapor cartridges added to e-juice?

Both substances are commonly added to e-juice and vapor cartridges to thin out an otherwise thick, honey-like material.

What is the most common type of extract used in vapor pens?

In a Washington state study comparing dried cannabis flower to subcritical CO2 extractions, the most common type of extract used in vapor pens, Dr. Michelle Sexton and her team found that the terpene concentrations differed significantly between the two products.

What temperature should a terpene be?

Yet, the ideal point of combustion to preserve the most terpenes and cannabinoids is thought to be around 330F (165C), with some variation depending on consumer preference.

What is a cannabis extraction?

Cannabis extractions concentrate resin, including pesticides that may be attached to that resin. Therefore, a vapor cartridge or BHO extraction is more likely to contain more concentrated quantities of contaminants.

What did the British researchers discover about electronic cigarettes?

After examining blood and urine samples from 181 participants, British researchers discovered that those who switched to vaporization and electronic cigarettes showed significantly lower levels of carcinogens and other toxic chemicals than consumers who smoked.

How much cannabis concentrate is in a batch?

A batch of cannabis concentrate may be equivalent to several pounds of cannabis flowers. While one of those flowers individually may not contain unsafe levels of pesticide, a highly concentrated oil made after extracting resin from a great many plants may be more problematic.

How many pounds of cannabis is in a batch of concentrate?

Why? A batch of cannabis concentrate may be equivalent to several pounds of cannabis flowers.

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