It is disheartening to hear about all of these incidents of illicit bootlegged vaporizers causing lung disease and even some deaths. Whether people should be using their lungs as delivery systems is questionable in the first place. Our lungs are very sensitive, and so the rationale of using a vaporizer that heats oils at a much lower temperature than burning has merit. But still… Some of the reported incidents even involve illicit Hemp vaporizers which make no sense to me since Hemp products should not be psychoactive and are readily available legally.
There is a tremendous amount of news coverage concerning Hemp and the ongoing research of its potential medicinal value. One would think that the general population has come to understand it well. But, with seven more people sick in Kings County, California, after using these back alley vaporizers, it might be time to re-think that. Whether it’s just a series of bad batches or an illegal supplier purposely cutting the oil with chemicals to make more of a profit, it’s time to pay attention to the warnings about Black Market products. Victims in California, Wisconsin and other states have confirmed they purchased illegal cartridges. In addition, the CDC has been tracking nearly 100 more potential vape-related illnesses across 14 states over the past few months.
Dr. Milton Teske, a health officer for Kings County, is warning residents, “Anyone that vapes THC they got off the street and has shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and trouble breathing—go to the ER and tell them you’re vaping, and have heard about this acute respiratory distress syndrome developing from that.”
Two of the seven patients almost died in California and doctors had to place them on a mechanical ventilator to save their lives. Purchasing Hemp gummies and Hemp tinctures from a legal seller that provides a lab report from a third party clearly identifying what the products contain, is the only way to know if a product is safe and legit. Illicit cartridges look, smell, and taste like the real deal. Dealers can purchase empty carts, labels, and packaging that looks identical to the products being sold legally.
Any company selling Hemp oil should have their products undergo rigorous testing for contaminants including bacteria, mold, pesticides, heavy metals and residual solvents. If I requested it, I could get a copy of the test and contact information to confirm the testing results with the individual lab. Reputable companies have strengthened their product testing policies over the past year. After California’s mandatory laws went into effect in 2018 for medical and adult-use cannabis, more than 5,100 batches (not individual products) have failed state lab tests, many for impurities.
Metal contaminants in vape products go further than cannabis cartridges. They’ve also been found on the legal market in tobacco vape pods and E-juice nicotine products. Laboratories and regulators are still working to determine how lead and other heavy metals are getting into some cartridges. It is just one more reason for customers to take the time to know what they are putting in their body. Sugar and Kush continues to use the best practices in manufacturing its Hemp edibles and Hemp oils. We provide the lab reports on each product page so that our customers can feel comfortable knowing they are buying a pure Hemp isolate product made with the healthiest ingredients.
Read more at Leafly.com.