No Products Found to Contain Vitamin E Acetate
Linthicum, Md., Nov. 23, 2019—Enhanced testing requirements implemented by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) last Friday, Nov. 15 for vitamin E acetate in medical cannabis vape products (including disposable vape pens) have been satisfactorily completed.
“We’re pleased to announce that no vitamin E acetate was found in any of the medical cannabis vape products available to patients at our licensed dispensaries,” said Will Tilburg, MMCC acting executive director. “We appreciate the support and cooperation of our licensees and independent testing laboratories who quickly and completely complied with the expanded testing requirements.”
The testing protocol was added as the result of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifying vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern. The CDC has linked vitamin E acetate to more than two dozen cases of e-cigarette or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) and have recommended that vitamin E acetate not be added to vaping products until the relationship is better understood.
As a result of the enhanced testing protocols, an administrative hold was placed on medical cannabis vape products until testing was completed. As of Friday, Nov. 22, the administrative hold was lifted and patients can acquire medical vape products with the knowledge that the product was tested and found to be in compliance with MMCC enhanced testing requirements.
“Our primary obligation is to ensure a safe medical cannabis product for the patients and our industry,” said Lori Dodson, MMCC deputy director. “Our licensees (processors dispensaries and testing labs) responded in a manner that clearly indicates our responsibility is of utmost importance.”
Current licensees report that they do not use vitamin E acetate in the processing/production stages of medical cannabis; however, the preemptive safety measure will be added to the MMCC Technical Authority for Medical Cannabis Testing to ensure that medical cannabis products are safe for patients.
