There is little question that vaping has become quite popular over the past decade as an alternative to smoking tobacco products. This is because vaping contains nicotine but does not contain the carcinogens associated with cancer found in tobacco products. So, it makes sense that cannabis oil for vape pens would be a natural way to deliver the product. However, there are health risks that come with the cannabis vape pen that has raised alarms in the medical community.

Health Risks
A surge of cases relating to vaping cannabis and cannabidiol or CBD oil rose sharply in the fall of 2019. More than 1,200 cases and 26 deaths were reported to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during that time. The result was the CDC issuing a statement that encouraged people from refraining from all forms of vaping. While most of the cases involved people that vaped either THC or nicotine, about 17% did vape CBD which raised concerns that this method of ingestion should be done with care if at all. But the issue currently is that there are no official guidelines from the government.

Lack of Regulations
There are good reasons why there are few if any regulations when it comes to CBD. The product itself has only been widespread since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. This means that while many scientists consider CBD safe or relatively harmless, the research does not have the decades-long history of tobacco products as an example.

This means that while some forms of CBD ingestion such as tinctures, topical creams, and the like have shown to be relatively safe, the same may not be true for vaping the product. Of those who reported issues and were hospitalized, testing showed that a significant portion vaped Vitamin E acetate. This is a Vitamin that is considered safe for topical use. It is also used in many illicit vaping products, especially those that contain THC. Inhaling Vitamin E acetate is not recommended and may generate the very effects that are being seen with those who have been hospitalized.

Illegal Market
What seems to be true from the information gathered is that illicit or illegal sources are at the center of the vaping issues with cannabis products. What is worse is that some testing has shown that products which were labeled as containing CBD actually contained a synthetic marijuana with little to no CBD at all.

It is the illegal sources which seem to be at the heart of the issue. However, with the lack of regulations it is likely that many such sources have found their way into legitimate shops and distributors. This means that it is possible to stick to legitimate sources and wind up with an illegally produced vaping product that contains dangerous ingredients such as Vitamin E acetate. For those who are considering using a cannabis vape pen, it is advisable that you take in all the information first before you make your final decision. The evidence that cannabis oil for vape pens is strong enough that you should consider safer alternatives.

Cannabis vape pens are trendy small electronic devices common among medical marijuana patients. They’re also referred to as vape pens and provide an easier and more comfortable way of consuming cannabis. Despite the convenience it provides, and ease of use, a cannabis vape pen might not be safe.

There’s a general assumption that vaping is a safer method of marijuana administration than marijuana smoke because the latter contain harmful substances that may cause lung irritation. Vape pen, on the other hand, heats the cannabis oil concentrate or flower without burning it. This way, only the active constituents will be inhaled. This method appears safe, but there are some safety concerns about cannabis vape pens that should be considered. 

Why is Cannabis Vape Pen Unsafe?

The major problem with vape pens are:

● Ingredients used in vape pen cartridges
● The heating process
● Lack of regulation 

Ingredients Used in Vape Pen Cartridges
Some of the ingredients used in vape pen cartridges are harmful to health. For instance, a common chemical, propylene glycol, is usually mixed with cannabis oil in many vape pen cartridges. It is also a common ingredient in e-cigarette and other household items like antifreeze, cosmetics, pet food, etc. Although the FDA has approved the use of propyl glycol as being safe for consumption, its inhalation has proven harmful.  

Flavoring compounds like propionyl and diacyl used in some vape oil cartridges are linked to respiratory illnesses when inhaled and not eaten. Another flavoring compound, Cinnamon Ceylon, also becomes harmful when inhaled rather than eaten. 

The Heating Process
When propyl glycol is exposed to high temperatures, it changes to small polymers that can damage the lungs. The heating process of the cannabis vape pen involves a battery-heating system that can change vape oils into harmful chemicals.

In 2010, a research finding was published in the International Journal of Environmental and Public Health, and a conclusion was made that when airborne propyl glycol circulates indoors, it can be harmful to the lungs as aggravate asthma and other allergic reactions.  This is why heating this chemical in boiling oil, like the vape pen cartridge, can be harmful for inhalation.

Also, aside from propyl glycol, other vaping additives may be harmful as they change to carbonyls when heated under high voltage. Carbonyls like formaldehyde are toxic chemicals that cause cancer, low-birth weight, and unexpected abortions.  According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, formaldehyde is on the list of Cancer group 1 carcinogenic substances.

Safe Vaping
There is no conclusive evidence on the harmful effects of using cannabis oil for vape pens or how it has led to dangerous health problems like cancer. The contributing factor is the inadequate labeling done by the producers of vape pens, and there is no trustworthy information on what the vape pen contains. Looking at the possibility of being exposed to harmful health hazards through the use of cannabis vape pens, proper testing of these products becomes highly essential, but this has been a significant challenge for scientists. The contributing factor to these challenges is their inability to determine how much smoke an average vape user inhales, resulting in different results that aren’t comparable. 

Heating Up
The major problem with a cannabis vape pen is the heating up process that goes on in the device. There are different types of cannabis vape pens in the market, and they all come with different modes of operations.  Some come with buttons while some do not. Also, there is minimal information on how long to heat the oil, which might make a user inhale harmful toxins.

When the heating element in a vape pen gets extremely hot, the oil undergoes smoldering or burning. Some of the oil undergoes combustion, which means that many vape pens in the market today that are referred to as vaporizers may not be real vaporizers. 

Lack of Regulation
Lack of regulation is another factor that shows that a vape pen for cannabis oil may not be safe. Since the marijuana industry is relatively new with no legal backing at the federal level, the regulation regarding the production of marijuana is lacking. Although some marijuana oil industries have avoided the use of butane and other harmful chemicals, some do not mind since there is no regulation to check this. So, it becomes almost impossible to know the content of the oil you’re buying, which means there is no guarantee on the safety of your vape pen.