PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A cannabis extraction company in Oregon has reportedly pulled some of its products off its online store following several deaths in the U.S. linked to vaping.
Connoisseur Concentrates said its decision to pull “dilutants” is a precautionary measure ahead of an announcement from authorities in charge of Oregon’s legal retail marijuana market.
Steve Marks, executive director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, told The Associated Press Wednesday his agency plans to ask store owners to voluntarily review the products on their shelves and pull any they feel might be unsafe.
The request comes after reports of severe lung illnesses and six deaths that have been tied to electronic cigarettes, including one death in Oregon that was linked to a vaping device containing marijuana oil sold at a legal retail store.
More than 400 young people have also recently been hospitalized in 33 states with mysterious lung problems possibly linked to cannabis vaping, according to health authorities.
Health officials in Washington’s King County said Wednesday a teen was treated in August for severe lung disease linked to vaping.
“This is pretty severe lung illness, even those people who are surviving are on breathing machines and in the hospital for some time,” said Dr. Thomas Jeanne, an epidemiologist with the Oregon Health Authority.
Jeanne said nearly 90% of high school students in Oregon who report using e-cigarettes say they use flavorings.
Marks said the OLCC will also ask marijuana stores to put up signs warning about the potential danger of vaping.
He said his agency can’t ban vaping devices or any specific ingredients in them until more is known about what is causing the health problems in users.
The White House is also planning to intercede in an effort to stop teens from vaping.
President Trump said Wednesday his administration is working on very strong recommendations that include a total ban on flavored e-cigarettes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
