Are Cannabis Vape Cartridges Laden With Heavy Metal Residues?

The Bureau of Marijuana Regulation (BMR) in Michigan found traces of lead in some cannabis vape cartridges. The information came from data entered into a centralized statewide data monitoring system.


As a result, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs issued a public safety bulletin on April 12, 2019. The bulletin encourages retailers and consumers of medicinal cannabis vaping pens and cartridges to have their products tested for heavy metal residues.

State regulators report that the heavy metal-laden products were destroyed. The agency urges medical marijuana retailers to be more diligent about ensuring the safety of their patrons by having their products tested regularly for contaminants.

On a side note, this creates new pressures for those operating startup cannabis businesses and those trying to acquire cannabis business loans. Public health risks like these can drive consumer, and therefore, investor confidence down, making it more difficult for some entrepreneurs to find the investment capital they need.

Specifically, the public safety bulletin advises, “BMR encourages all licensed provisioning centers to have their vape cartridges tested. Patients and Caregivers who would like to have cartridges tested, at their own expense, can take them to a licensed safety compliance facility.”

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conducted a study and found lead residue in various types of cannabis vaping cartridges. The university reports that the lead is already in the cartridges when they are purchased and it can leach into the product’s housing and surrounding materials and substances.

This is a public safety concern because many patients prefer vaping their medical marijuana instead of smoking, eating, or otherwise consuming it. Using a poisonous cartridge to deliver a miracle medicine sort of defeats the purpose!

So, all patients need to be aware of this and ensure that any vape cartridge or other device they may use has been tested and shown to be free of lead or any other dangerous contaminants.

John Hopkins found various toxins in e-cigarette products that can be used to consume medical-grade marijuana. In one study, researchers found traces of nickel, chromium, lead, and manganese.

These heavy metals can cause very serious health problems when entered into the human body, especially with massive or repetitive exposure. These include cognitive decline, cardiovascular damage, and kidney failure, just to name a few.

Note that Michigan is one of just a few states that require testing for heavy metals in consumer products like marijuana vaping pens and cartridges. It is important for medical cannabis patients in every state to be aware of this important information!

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References
High Times - Michigan Officials Advise Testing Vape Cartridges for Heavy Metals
LARA - Lead Contamination in Vape Cartridges

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