Local vape retailers react to CDC vaping investigation findings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report over 800 people are sick and at least 14 have died of a mysterious lung illness believed to be linked to vaping.
Friday, the CDC found almost 80% of the people who are sick with vaping related illnesses were using vape products containing THC.
THC is the main compound in marijuana that gets you high.
The CDC’s research has also found that in most of those cases, people were using manufactured illegal vape cartridges containing THC.
Health officials believe those illegal cartridges are purchased online or from illicit dealers.
Almost two weeks ago, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office busted two men in an illegal THC vape cartridge operation, valued at over $55,000.
Local vape retailers told News 11 vape products should always be regulated and tested.
The owner of Neverlow Glass Gallery, David Murray believes, “There’s no assurance [when buying vape products]. You just have to go to a trusted source. ”
Stephen Aranda , the General Manager of Jamestown Center, which is the only authorized THC vape retail in Yuma County, said, “If you’re sourcing from the black market or a third party, or even a licensed cardholder, there’s potential that they could have added something or gotten it from a [ untrusted ] source. ”
Both Aranda and Murray said consumers should research the vape products they’re purchasing.
Murray confirmed the vape products sold in his store have bar codes that customers can scan online to find out every testing related to the product.
Aranda said, “Essentially the Arizona Department of Health Services helps regulate which [vaping] products are safe to use. ”
Several local vape shops in Yuma also told News 11 that the negative media coverage surrounding vaping has caused an uptick in customers questioning the vape products they’re purchasing and ingesting.
Rhode Island, Michigan, and New York have all enforced state-wide bans on flavored nicotine vaping products and e-cigarettes.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts is the only state to temporarily prohibit the sale of all e-cigarettes.
No word yet on whether Arizona plans to follow suit.
Copyright 2018 KYMA
