In September 2019, cannabis vaping products caused an outbreak of severe lung disease. Out of this, many were left skeptical as to whether or not vaping cannabis is safe. But the truth of the matter is the overall safety and long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes remain widely unknown.
Vaping is still a very new form of nicotine and cannabis consumption. What we can observe are only the effects it has had on individuals within less than a decade’s time. While long-term health risks are still unclear, researchers are almost certain that vaping is about 95% safer than actually smoking – most particularly, when comparing vaping to cigarette smoking.
So, in many regards, vaping cannabis products are safer than media outlets led us to believe. Still, there are some concerns with vape products that you should be aware of. Throughout this article, we’re going to go over these concerns and, at the end, we’ll give you our takes for some of the highest-quality cannabis vape products currently on the market.
Why the Vaping Pandemic?
At the end of summer last year, we saw an outbreak in severe lung diseases associated with cannabis vaping products. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), by February 18th, 2020, there were 2,807 hospitalizations and 68 confirmed deaths within the United States.
Immediately, researchers got to work in discovering what was causing these complications. By gathering fluid samples from the lungs known as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), they were able to identify the real culprit of this pandemic – a little additive known as vitamin E acetate.
While vitamin E is healthy for us in and of itself, it’s highly toxic when inhaled through the lungs and should never be taken in such a manner. However, to make matters worse, much of the vitamin E found in these vaping products was synthetic – in other words, it was developed in a lab using other chemicals that are dangerous to inhale.
One of these chemicals is known as tocopherol-acetate which has been found to cling onto the lung’s liner fluid. In turn, the lungs have more difficulty transferring oxygen from the air and into the body. Tocopherol-acetate can also cause lung cells to die and, in turn, damage the immune system.
So, how could this happen?
Well, one of the biggest difficulties is the vape industry isn’t regulated by the Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, there are no safety precautions or testing when it comes to developing these products.
This is why a few poorly practiced companies were able to get their toxic products into vape shops. However, their poor decisions should not identify the vape industry as a whole. There are plenty of companies out there who have developed high-quality products that are absolutely safe to inhale.
How to Stay Safe While Purchasing Vape Products
Now that we know vitamin E acetate is the killer behind the vape pandemic, it’s safe to assume any level-headed person will avoid purchasing products containing the toxin at all costs. However, as we’ve mentioned, the vaping industry isn’t regulated. Therefore, companies can get away with a lack of transparency in terms of what is in their products.
Of course, this is terrible business practice and reputable vaping companies understand that. Our job as the consumer is to keep an eye out for these reputable companies and solely purchase through them
But what exactly should we be looking for?
Let’s start with the ingredients. A traditional e-cigarette developed to replicate cigarettes will usually include the following:
- Vegetable glycerin (VG)
- Propylene glycol (PG)
- Artificial flavors
- Nicotine extract
All of these ingredients are fairly safe to inhale. We say “fairly safe” for two reasons. 1.) The long-term health effects of these ingredients is still rather unknown. 2.) Some artificial flavors may contain health inhibiting chemicals. For example, diacetyl has been found in certain e-cigarettes which is known to cause “popcorn lungs.”
Cannabis vaping products (more specifically, THC or CBD e-juices) are made similarly. The only big difference is instead of using a nicotine extract, they use a THC or CBD extract.
Best Cannabis Vape Products of 2020
Truly, the best cannabis vape products out there are ones that allow you to use your own bud or concentrates. Not only does this give you the ability to source what your consuming, but is much more natural way to consume cannabis.
Still, we understand that there is a demand for cannabis e-juices and disposable cannabis vape pens. With that said, we’ve developed a list of three of the most popular cannabis vape products currently on the market:
1.) Eureka Vapor
Containing a staggering 94% THC, Eureka Vapor’s disposable pens are some of the strongest and most effective currently on the market. One of the reasons we’ve decided to feature them within this article is each of their products comes with a certificate of analysis. These are third-party lab results that detail the safety and contents of the product.
While Eureka Vapor pens are currently only available in select dispensaries within California and Colorado, they are some of the highest-quality disposable vape products currently on the market.
2.) Wildflower
One of the most popular disposable THC pens currently on the market is from the brand Wildflower. Not only are these some of the most discreet pens out there (particularly, in terms of smell), but the company offers a variety of different cannabinoid and terpene concoctions to help with various ailments.
One of the reasons Wildflower has made our list is because they offer both THC and CBD products – so, if you’re not a fan of getting high, they still have options for you. Currently, Wildflower’s disposable vape pens are offered in Washington, Pennsylvania (CBD only), and New York (CBD only).
3.) CBDMD Vape Oil
To end our list, we’re going to look at a selection of CBD e-juices that contain zero THC. These are great options for people who are looking to avoid the psycho-activity often associated with cannabis consumption, yet, still want to experience some natural relief.
CBDMD is one of the most reputable cannabidiol companies currently on the market and offers a CBD vape juice known as Mingo Rad. This product not only contains absolutely no THC, but holds a certificate of analysis and is made using 100% organic hemp.
