A new study by Kaelas Munger, a PhD student at Portland State University under Dr. Robert Strongin, sheds light on the potential risks of consuming cannabis acetate. The study found that when cannabis acetate is heated under vaping conditions, it releases a toxic gas called ethyl ketone. Previously, researchers identified ethyl ketone as a possible contributor to the outbreak of lung injuries caused by e-cigarettes in 2019, which led to nearly 3,000 hospitalizations and deaths in the United States as of February 2020. While the toxicity of ethyl ketone to humans is known, Strongin said that studying its effects on the human body is too risky and requires further understanding.
A recent study by researcher Strongin, published in Chemical Research and Toxicology, suggests that Vitamin E acetate and newly available acetic cannabis products share similarities in chemical structure. This finding marks the first study of acetic cannabis emissions and offers insights into associated risks. While some cannabis acetic salts, such as Delta 8 THC acetate salt, can be purchased over-the-counter, they are not sold in cannabis dispensaries and are currently unregulated by the FDA, making them available for online purchase.
According to Strongin, the acetate molecule used in products, such as Delta-8, has the ability to more easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, thereby enhancing its potency. He also notes that the chemical reaction is similar to the process of morphine converting to heroin. Strongin hopes to work with regulatory agencies to alert consumers and authorities to this discovery.
A recent study has revealed that the harmful chemical ethyl ketone not only forms at lower temperatures, but also at levels known to be detrimental to human health, based on results from a single puff. Charles Mang, who worked on the project with Strongin during his doctorate in chemistry, noted that individuals who smoke these products may be ingesting even higher levels due to consuming multiple puffs.
We are most worried about prolonged exposure, we don't know what it is," said Munger. "That's why papers like ours are necessary. Otherwise, people will be exposed to these truly toxic substances and it will be almost impossible to find evidence.
Strontium Jin said that it is nearly impossible to trace acetone in the human body because it reacts strongly with biological molecules. "That's why it's necessary to continue investigating potential sources of human exposure," he said.
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