Michigan Bans Harmful Oil In Marijuana Vapes, Retailers Told To Remove Them From Shelves

Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) announced a ban on diluting agents used in vape pens, that has been shown to harm consumers, reported Detroit Free Press.

According to CRA's technical bulletin issued Thursday, starting on Oct.1 the cannabis oil used in vape pens will need to be tested for medium chain triglycerides oil (MCT) , which is derived from coconut oil, before products are allowed to be sold.

“From a public health and safety standpoint, the potential for adverse effects with MCT oil underscores the importance of safety guidelines for product development,” Brian Hanna, executive director of the CRA, stated.

Josh Swider, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Lab, said he is "happy to see regulators taking action and putting the priority (of) public safety over anything else." In March, Swider noted that about 30% of cannabis vape pens and edibles tested in his his lab contained MCT oil, pesticides or a synthetically made cannabis oil.

In 2019, the outbreak of e-cigarette and vaping-associated lung injuries (EVALI) made more than 2800 people tested and caused 68 deaths, per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At that time, vitamin E acetate (an additive most commonly found in informally sourced vaporizable marijuana concentrates) was identified as the outbreak's primary cause. Later, several states, such as Colorado, banned MCT oil in cannabis inhalation products.

Even though MCT oil is considered a food-safe ingredient, similar to vitamin E acetate when consumed via inhalation it can inflame the lungs and cause bronchitis or pneumonia.

“Moving forward, this testing will take place before the retailers purchase inventory from producers, easing the burden on retailers and ensuring that the products they sell are safe,” said Robin Schneider, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. She added that already some retailers have started to remove products from the stores and test them for MCT oil.

Detroit City Council Against Cannabis Billboards

Meanwhile, Detroit City Council member Angela Whitfield Calloway took legal action against the flood of new cannabis billboards across downtown, reported CBS News Detroit.

“It’s taking over our city,” Calloway said in a meeting in May. “You can’t drive down the street or freeway without seeing this one cannabis company.”

Jerry Millen, owner of The Greenhouse in Walled Lake said billboards with signs that say "free weed," or "get high" are not good for anyone. Even though he acknowledges the need for advertising, some businesses can make all cannabis businesspeople "look like a bunch of jokers."

One billboard in Metro Detroit costs upwards of $6,000 a month, he added.

“I want people to come to The Greenhouse and see if we can help them get some relief,” Millen told CBS Detroit. “Everything we present is different. It’s about community involvement and taking the cannabis business seriously. The jokers who aren’t taking it seriously, hurt us,” Millen said.

See Also: As Michigan Becomes Nation’s Top Cannabis Seller, Baker College Teams Up With Weed Brand To Offer Internships In Detroit

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