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FDA and MDH Issue Warning to Stop Using Vaping Products

Posted over 4 years ago by Elaine Crain

William C. Tilburg
Acting Executive Director
Director, Office of Policy and Government Affairs

MMCC ADVISORY NOTIFICATION
RE: FDA and MDH Issue Warning to Stop Using Vaping Products 

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) is sharing the following vaping-related advisory from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) warning consumers not to use vaping products containing THC. 

MMCC continues to collaborate with MDH and other federal and state agencies in investigating lung injuries linked to vaping products. The MMCC is also evaluating medical cannabis vaping products available in licensed Maryland dispensaries to determine whether any additional measures may be necessary, including expanding compliance testing. At this time, no Maryland medical cannabis patients are included among the 23 severe lung injury cases reported in Maryland. 

October 9, 2019

On October 4th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public not to use vaping or e-cigarette products containing THC.  Based on this warning the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is today urging all cannabis dispensaries licensed under the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission to notify consumers of this FDA advisory and discourage the use of vaping products.


Consumers should be provided with the following information:

  1. The FDA is warning the public: do not use vaping products containing THC.  More than 1,000 individuals nationwide have developed severe lung injuries after vaping, including at least 23 cases in Maryland. The strongest risk factor identified to date is vaping pre-filled cartridges of cannabis-derived products like THC.

  2. MDH urges medical cannabis consumers to talk to their health care providers about alternatives to vaping THC.  Consumers should discuss alternatives that meet their medical needs.  MDH also advises against smoking THC products.  

  3. Vaping anything is never safe for adolescents, or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. 

  4. No single product or substance has been linked to all lung injury cases. While the biggest risk for injury appears to be from THC products not obtained from a licensed dispensary, there are reports in other states of lung injury associated with legally obtained THC products.  Vaping products that include nicotine, CBD, and/or other oils and substances have also been linked to injuries.

  5. If you vape cannabis or nicotine products and have shortness of breath or other signs of illness, seek medical attention immediately and tell your provider you have been vaping.

 
MDH will provide updates as new information about vaping-associated lung injuries emerges. These updates, additional outreach materials, and FAQs related to the lung injuries can be found at: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Pages/VapingIllness.aspx.  Additional questions can be emailed to the Maryland Department of Health at mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov, or by phone at 1-866-703-3266.