Oregon Recalls THC Vape Pods Containing Unapproved Additives

During an investigation conducted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) this month, it was found that over 18,000 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) electronic cigarette pods sold in Oregon between November 2021 and July 2022 contained unapproved non-cannabis additives, which could potentially pose health issues for the respiratory system.

Here is what the recall for the electronic cigarettes shopping cart label looks like:

The marijuana regulatory agency in the state of Oregon has issued a recall for 18,000 electronic THC vape pods manufactured by YHN. The recall notice is printed on the back of the packaging (as shown in the photo from OLCC). The OLCC has initiated the recall of these pods, which were manufactured by YHN and sold in two stores located in the eastern Oregon town of Ontario.

Weedology and The Bud House are two pharmacies in Ontario that sell electronic cigarette pods. They have voluntarily pulled the recalled YHN products from their shelves. So far, the OLCC has not received any reports from consumers who have experienced negative health effects from using these YHN products.

We encourage consumers who have purchased unapproved products to return them to OLCC-licensed retailers or dispose of them. Individuals who have health concerns regarding recalled e-cigarette products should contact their healthcare provider.

The main culprit: Soybean oil.

As part of their ongoing independent investigation, officials from the OLCC tested a range of products from the YHN brand and found that some of their flavoring cartridges for inhalable cannabis may contain soybean oil, which contains triglycerides of glycerol and is prohibited for use in e-cigarette products in Oregon.

Soybean oil is considered a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food additive by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, this classification is based on ingestion rather than inhalation. When soybean oil is heated into vapor and inhaled, the triglycerides in it may cause various long and short-term health problems, including lipoid pneumonia, a rare lung disease that can cause lung inflammation and breathing difficulties.

Risk: Lipoid Pneumonia

According to data from the National Institutes of Health in the United States, the incidence of lipoid pneumonia is increasing with the rise of nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) electronic cigarettes.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an electronic cigarette is defined as a device that uses heat to produce aerosol inhaled by the user from a liquid containing various chemicals, including but not limited to nicotine, artificial flavors, or marijuana. Their guidelines were last updated as of June 2022. A series of cases completed in North Carolina observed five previously healthy individuals who had no underlying conditions, experienced acute respiratory failure requiring hospitalization, and were found to frequently expose themselves to vaporized aerosol in July and August 2019.

In 2019, a vaping-related lung illness known as EVALI resulted in 60 deaths and over 2,800 hospitalizations. This illness was caused by the use of illegal THC vape pods containing vitamin E oil. While this oil has FDA approval for use in a variety of products, it is not suitable for inhalation via vaporization. In response to the EVALI outbreak, Oregon and other legal cannabis states have implemented strict regulations prohibiting certain additives such as vitamin E oil, squalene, and propylene glycol in cannabis vape pods.

Health risks associated with inhaling soybean oil have been observed in both food seasoning and production factories. In 2002, a microwave popcorn factory experienced a mysterious outbreak of bronchiolitis obliterans. Officials investigating the incident at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that workers in the factory had lung problems caused by inhaling aerosolized byproducts of heated soybean oil.

Further punishment will depend on the intent of the production.

In the OLCC investigation into YHN's vape pod, flavors such as "Fruit Blend" and "Green Crack" were tested. Independent testing revealed the presence of ingredients that match those found in soybean oil, a substance banned for use in e-cigarettes in Oregon. It was also discovered that YHN's labeling only partially complied with Oregon's regulations for inhalable cannabinoid products.

The ingredient list of the YHN e-cigarette products that were recalled did indeed include artificial flavorings, and the products were correctly classified according to OLCC rules. However, YHN did not follow OLCC requirements to further break down the ingredients in their artificial flavorings to disclose the presence of soybean oil.

YHN may face a fine of $4,950 or have their marijuana license revoked. These are two very different outcomes, and the punishment may depend on whether OLCC determines that the prohibited additives were intentionally added or due to negligent oversight.

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