CDC Study on Vaping-Related Lung Injuries Strengthens the Case for Cannabis Legalization

Jeffrey A. SingerIn what it hailed as a “breakthrough, ” on November 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the results of itsanalysis of lung fluid samples from 29 different patients hospitalized for vaping related illness in 10 different states. All 29 samples were found to contain vitamin E acetate, the synthetic form of vitamin E. Vitamin E acetate is an oil, and is suitable for ingesting, but can cause severe lung damage if inhaled.Vitamin E acetate is commonly used as the vehicle for delivering THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, in vaping  cartridges. The CDCreported that 86 percent of the patients sampled said they had vaped an  illegal THC product. This was based upon self-reporting, so the actual percentage may be higher.As long as federal marijuana prohibition continues, the only way for vapers to get THC-containing liquids is by making them on their own with cannabis products or buying them in the dangerous black market.Vitamin E acetate is not used by legal e-cigarette cartridge makers because of its harmful effects on the lungs. Its presence in vaping liquid indicates a black-market source. The CDC report added,"it is possible that more than one compound or ingredient could be a cause of lung injury, and evidence is not yet sufficient to rule out contribution of other toxicants."Dr. Marc Siegel, Professor at Boston University School of Public Health, stated in ablog post reacting to the news:At this point, it is also clear t...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs