As the premier cannabis dispensary in the Coachella Valley, The Leaf El Paseo is dedicated to educating consumers and taking the lead in addressing the myths and misconceptions surrounding the world of vaping.
According to recent reports released by the California Department of Public Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the exact cause of EVALI, “e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury” is still undetermined and further study and investigation is necessary prior to making any firm determinations or conclusions.
Current efforts by these agencies have focused their investigations on the additives used in street-market THC cartridges made by unknown manufacturers. Unfortunately, unlicensed or unscrupulous manufacturers often take shortcuts on quality, using inferior adulterants to reduce costs and maximize profits.
Off-market manufacturers also add cutting agents to enhance the intensity of the vapor cloud and overall mouthfeel of the vapors. Common ones that are adversely infused with cannabis oil and e-cigarette vape juice include:
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG): A cutting agent used in vape liquids to keep the product evenly mixed
- Propylene glycol (PG): A binding agent that is added to cannabis vape cartridges because of its ability to foster even vape draws
- Vegetable glycerin (VG): Added to vape liquids to help generate large vape clouds for the user
- Vitamin E acetate: Generally safe as an additive for food, it has been found in thickening agents in illicit THC cartridges in some of the reported illnesses. Vitamin E acetate is a different chemical than the vitamin E found naturally in foods and in supplements. Vitamin E is safe to consume as a food or supplement up to 1,000 milligrams daily.
The Leaf, located in Greater Palm Springs, strongly encourages visitors and locals to purchase authentic products at licensed cannabis retailers and avoid purchasing any counterfeits from the illicit market. It’s also important for consumers to purchase from reputable brands that disclose independent lab test results and screen for pesticides.
The more than 600 cannabis products offered at The Leaf are rigorously tested, legally compliant, and manufactured exclusively for the regulated market. The Leaf has not only set the bar high in implementing strict quality control standards for the products they sell, but they have gone a step further by helping customers learn how to spot and avoid counterfeit or unregistered products being sold by unlicensed vendors and individuals.
Some of their most recognizable brands such as dosist, Kurvana, Orchid Essentials, and Heavy Hitters have released statements stating that no vitamin E acetate or any other cutting agents are used in their cannabis vape products. Heavy Hitters also has an online form where customers can report counterfeits of their products. All products sold at The Leaf have certificates of analysis provided by trusted third-party lab testing partners and are available upon request.
To keep the community informed, The Leaf is hosting educational Higher Learning Sessions throughout the upcoming season as part of their ongoing commitment to guide the public in consuming safe, compliance tested cannabis products purchased through licensed retail channels. The next sessions will take place:
- Saturday, October 26th
- Wednesday, December 4th
For more information, visit www.leafelpaseo.com/events.
