News Briefs
Experts Investigate the Role THC and Other Unregulated Additives Play in the Vaping Crisis
January 30, 2020
Since its sudden appearance in August 2019, the vaping crisis has evolved quickly and unpredictably. E-cigarette and Vape Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) cases peaked in September and have declined since then, nevertheless resulting in almost 3,000 hospitalization cases or deaths to date. The early stage of the crisis was marked by confusion, misinformation and conflation with the other major vape-related health crisis involving flavored e-cigarette products being marketed to minors. The CDC and state health authorities now conclude that THC vaping plays a major role in the reported cases, with vitamin E acetate and potentially other unregulated additives being "strongly linked" to EVALI.
In response to this outbreak, the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) Policy Council has worked with experts in the field to produce an extensive report that explores the known and potential causes of the condition and offers ways for cannabis producers, regulators and lawmakers to prevent public health issues from occurring in the legal regulated cannabis market.