Michigan to ban potentially harmful dilutant found in THC vape pens

Oct 14, 2024

Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency is moving to ban a diluting agent used in vape pens that could be harmful to consumers.

Starting Oct. 1, the cannabis oil used in vape pens will have to be tested for MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil before those products make it to store shelves, according to a Thursday news release announcing the new requirement.

"From a public health and safety standpoint, the potential for adverse effects with MCT oil underscores the importance of safety guidelines for product development," Brian Hanna, executive director of the CRA, said in the release.

The new requirement comes a few months after the CEO of a cannabis testing company with a lab in Michigan raised concerns with the Detroit Free Press about the presence of potentially harmful substances, like MCT oil (which is derived from coconut oil), in cannabis products.

Josh Swider, co-founder and CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Lab, which has facilities in Jackson and also in San Diego, said in March that more than 30% of marijuana vape pens and edibles his lab recently tested contained MCT oil; a synthetically converted cannabis oil; or pesticides, some of which are not allowed by the state.

In an interview following the news of the new testing requirement, Swider said he's "happy to see regulators taking action and putting the priority (of) public safety over anything else."

This move follows actions taken by other states, like Colorado. The state banned MCT oil in marijuana products intended for inhalation following the outbreak of vaping-related lung illnesses in 2019.

That same year, just before sales of recreational marijuana began in Michigan, the state mandated a temporary halt to the sale of marijuana vapes because of the vaping-related illnesses and deaths associated with vitamin E acetate, which had been used to dilute THC to make it easier to fill illicit market vape cartridges.

While MCT oil is a food-safe ingredient, similar to vitamin E acetate, scientists say inhaling these substances can lead to inflammation of the lungs, which can turn into illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia.

Robin Schneider, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, said in the news release that several of the association's retail members have already been proactively pulling products off their shelves and testing their inventory to ensure products from the brands they sell don't contain MCT oil.

"Moving forward, this testing will take place before the retailers purchase inventory from producers, easing the burden on retailers and ensuring that the products they sell are safe," she said.

More on what this CEO found in products:Michigan cannabis lab CEO says hidden substances could taint vape pens, edibles

The action taken by the CRA does not address another concern raised by Swider: the synthetically converted cannabis oil, which is CBD oil converted into THC oil using a process that's similar to how a pharmaceutical drug would be made, he said.

In a response to a question about whether conversion oil is allowed in Michigan in April, David Harns, a spokesperson for the CRA, said in an email: "We intend to make it clear in the new rule set that CBD to THC conversion is prohibited in Michigan." The prohibition on conversion was included in the proposed changes to the marijuana rules the state put out nearly a year ago.

More on cannabis product recalls:Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency recalls Flavor Galaxy's infused pre-rolled joints

Harns recently said he's hopeful that the formal public hearing process for the new rule set will start this summer or early fall.

A state testing lab that is scheduled to open by the end of the year will help to find more of the "unknowns" in cannabis products.

"I applaud them for doing that and funding this kind of thing because in all reality, the stuff we don't know sometimes can hurt us a lot more than the stuff we do know," Swider said.

Contact Adrienne Roberts: [email protected].