The CDC has now confirmed that the infamous lung disease is linked to the consumption of illegal THC products.
Last October, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, announced a temporary ban on all flavored vaping products. “My first priority is to safeguard the health of all Oregonians,” said Brown. “By keeping potentially unsafe products off of store shelves and out of the hands of Oregon’s children and youth, we prevent exposing more people to potentially dangerous chemical compounds and help lessen the chance of further tragedy for any other Oregon family.”
The ban was meant to be valid for six months and urged state agencies to develop a plan for warning labels, ingredient disclosures, product safety testing and a campaign to discourage vaping. Referring to the EVALI outbreak in the US, Brown had inaccurately stated that the safest option for Oregonians who use tobacco or cannabis was to avoid vaping altogether.
“Until we know more about what is causing this illness, please, do not vape,” she said at the time. “Encourage your friends and family members to stop vaping immediately. Talk to your children about the dangers of vaping. The risks are far too high.” To this effect, in line with previous reports, the CDC has now confirmed that the infamous lung disease is linked to the consumption of illegal THC products.
There is no evidence linking flavours to the EVALI outbreak
Meanwhile, a ruling by the Court of Appeals has halted the ban. Oakland-based company Herban Industries had sued the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), which licenses and regulates the state’s marijuana industry. The latter had moved to enact Brown’s order by banning all THC vape oil products containing flavour chemicals called terpenes, derived from anything but marijuana. The Court of Appeals was convinced by Herban Industries’ argument that the ban would cause irreparable harm.
“The court is persuaded that petitioner has demonstrated that irreparable harm is likely to result unless enforcement of the rules are stayed,” said the order. The OLCC argued that the court’s decision to halt the ban would cause harm the public, but the court was not convinced, pointing out that is no evidence linking non-marijuana flavours to the EVALI outbreak.
Read Further: Oregon Live
