MediCann
  • Home
    • About Us
    • News & Events >
      • News Archive
    • MediCann Blog
  • Find A Doctor
  • Patient Exchange Program
  • The Dosing Project
  • Patient Education
    • Medical Cannabis 101
    • Cannabis & Chronic Pain
    • Cannabis & Cancer
    • Cannabis & Migraines
    • Cannabis & Arthritis
    • Other Studies
  • Industry
    • MJ Hybrid Solutions
    • Resources
    • Research
    • Physicians >
      • MediCann Affiliate Program

Vape Pen Illness

9/6/2019

Comments

 
CDC and State Health Departments caution those who use vaporized oil products
 
            The promotion and sale of e-cigarettes as an alternative to smoking tobacco (and additives) in rolled paper along with the rising popularity of inhaled vaporized oils derived from the Cannabis plant is new to everyone, even those of us in the scientific community.   The Increasing use of these new products is revealing new potential harms. We know that inhaling smoked oils from burning oil reservoirs is harmful and may even be the cause of Gulf War Syndrome.  We know that inhaling smoke oils in poorly ventilated restaurant kitchens causes a decrease in forced expiratory volume (FEV) among employees.  Data from The Dosing Project™ (www.thecesc.org) reveals a significant increase in self-reported cough among those vaporizing Cannabis flower in comparison to smoking Cannabis flower.  Poly-ethylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, or tocopheryl acetate (Vitamin E), common fillers in e-cigarette and Vape pen cartridges, have been implicated as a potential throat and lung irritant. 
            The CDC along with State Health Departments are investigating an increase in serious lung disease not associated with other causes and associated with recent use of e-cigarettes and/or Cannabis oil Vape pens.  At this point they have noted at least 215 cases over the last two months.  The disease has similarities to lipoid pneumonia, which is distinguished by macrophages exhibiting large intracellular vacuoles in lung tissue.  Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is generally considered a rare and benign condition.  Patients report cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Chest X-rays are non-specific.  Chest CT may demonstrate  “ground glass” opacities representing thickened interlobular septa.  Two of recently reported cases have resulted in death.
            10.8 million U.S. adults are currently using e-cigarettes and more than half of them are 35 years old or younger.  2018 data reveals that the Vape pen market is approaching 20% of the inhaled cannabis products sold. This rise in incidence of serious adverse event was bound to occur with the recent shift in social behavior to inhaling vaporized oils.  Whether the damage is do the method of administration, ingredients in the oil itself, or contaminants is uncertain. It is appropriate for the CDC and state health departments to caution those who vaporize oils to seek medical attention if the presenting symptoms occur.   Patients with chronic lung conditions (Asthma, COPD, etc.) who use Vape pens may consider use alternative methods to using Cannabis until we have more specific information can be gathered and analyzed.
 
                                                                        Dr. Jean Talleyrand, M.D.
                                                                       
                                                                        Chief Medical Officer
                                                                        MediCann & The CESC
​
Comments

    Author

    Jean Talleyrand, M.D.,
    Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder - MediCann
    & CESC a nonprofit Cannabis research organization

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    April 2020
    September 2019
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    Categories

    All
    Alternative
    Cannabis
    Medical

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

Services

For Patients
For Providers
For
Industry

Company

Advertise with Us
About

Menu

Support

Contact
Terms of Use
​Mailing Address: MediCann  1336 Willard Street, C • San Francisco, CA 94117

Important Disclaimer!

The information contained in this site does not intend to replace any medical advice or care by a trained physician.
Any use of this information is solely the the responsibility of the user.

© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photo used under Creative Commons from dstegner1999
  • Home
    • About Us
    • News & Events >
      • News Archive
    • MediCann Blog
  • Find A Doctor
  • Patient Exchange Program
  • The Dosing Project
  • Patient Education
    • Medical Cannabis 101
    • Cannabis & Chronic Pain
    • Cannabis & Cancer
    • Cannabis & Migraines
    • Cannabis & Arthritis
    • Other Studies
  • Industry
    • MJ Hybrid Solutions
    • Resources
    • Research
    • Physicians >
      • MediCann Affiliate Program