State officials concerned about vape-related lung illnesses

Peninsula pot retailers: Vape products are tested, safe

State officials are monitoring an ongoing investigation headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, following an outbreak of severe lung illnesses associated with vaping products.

U.S. health officials said Thursday that there are 380 confirmed and probable cases of vaping-related breathing illnesses in 36 states and one territory.

Brian Smith, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board communication director/spokesman, said CDC and FDA officials are recommending that people not using vaping products as the investigation continues.

“We’re taking it very seriously,” Smith said Friday.

Smith said the liquor and cannabis board officials recently met with Washington State Department of Health leaders, representatives with the governor’s office and industry officials, and plan to meet with leaders from other states early this week regarding the outbreak.

Smith said Friday afternoon he anticipates state officials will soon issue a public health notice.

On its website, the state Department of Health department notes: “If you continue to use vaping devices, you should monitor yourself for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and promptly seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. You should never buy vaping products with THC or other cannabinoids off the street, and you should not modify or add any substances to these products not intended by the manufacturer.”

A number of severe lung illnesses and deaths across the nation related to electronic cigarettes moved marijuana retailers in Oregon to remove vaping products from their shelves last week.

The agency that regulates Oregon’s cannabis industry told The Associated Press on Wednesday it will soon ask retailers to voluntarily review their vaping offerings and pull those that spark concern.

The CDC said 80 percent of those with lung injuries report they use vaping liquids containing THC.

Several marijuana retailers on the North Olympic Peninsula say there isn’t cause for concern for those who purchase vaping products at licensed Washington stores.

“A lot of this is coming from the tobacco industry side,” said John Sanders, a bud tender at Sea Change Cannabis in Discovery Bay.

“A lot of these cigarettes are [created with] Vitamin E oil. They’re selling them, quite frankly, out of the trunks of the cars,” he said.

Investigators in New York have focused on Vitamin E acetate, recently used as a thickener, particularly in black market vape cartridges, according to an Associated Press (AP) report.

Suppliers say the vitamin dilutes vape oils without making them look watery. Vitamin E is safe as a vitamin pill or to use on the skin but inhaling oily Vitamin E droplets can trigger pneumonia, the AP reported.

Smith said, however, that the Vitamin E information is a “red herring,” and that health officials are still in a fact-finding mode right now to isolate what’s causing the illness.

Washington state has strict procedures and testing that make marijuana products from licensed retailers safe, Sanders said. He said he heard from some concerned customers after hearing about the illnesses.

“Our state is protected that way,” Sanders said. “(Those products were) coming from illegal sources.”

Staff at Nature’s Gift in Sequim said products they sell are all plant-based, the store hasn’t had any issues from customers, and that they haven’t pulled any products from shelves.

A staffer at The Hidden Bush in Port Angeles said that the bad vaping products causing illnesses is “more of a black market thing.”

However, Smith noted, “the impact of this goes far beyond marijuana retail stores,” adding that Washington state has 4,000 businesses selling vape products.

“Some bootleg (products, but) there are vast amounts of regular vape; no one knows what’s in it,” Smith said.

State officials report that one Washington state resident from King County (age 10-20 years) has been linked to the unknown vaping illness, confirmed this month.

A death in Oregon in July is the only one that public health authorities have linked to a purchase at a legal cannabis retailer, the AP reported yesterday.

The serious lung illness affecting hundreds of people in the U.S. is also giving Canadian health officials pause, the AP reported, as Canada prepares to allow the sale of vaping products in its legal marijuana market.

No illnesses have yet been reported north of the border, but British Columbia’s top health official says it’s just a matter of time before symptoms are reported in Canada.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we will see cases pop up in Canada in the next few weeks now that we have started really looking for it,” Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, told AP.

Canada last year became the second nation (Uruguay was first) to legalize and regulate marijuana, but legal sales of edible and vaping products are not due to begin until later this year.

“Most of these issues coming out of the U.S. are related to black market product and what black market producers are doing to cut corners,” said Megan McCrae, board chair of the Cannabis Council of Canada.

For the latest about the lung disease, see www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html.

More in News

Foundation donates $1 million to hospital

Recipients include residency program, scholarships and cancer care center

A former teacher, Larry Jeffryes moved to Sequim with his wife in 2013. He was appointed to the Sequim School Board in September 2019, elected by voters in November of that year and was elected again in 2023. Before his resignation, Jeffryes’ term was set to go through November 2027. (Larry Jeffryes)
Sequim school board director resigns after six years in seat

District opens process to apply for position

Members of the musical group Soupbones, from left, Ed Schmid of Port Angeles, Ron Munro of Sequim, Carly List of Port Angeles and Hugh Starks of Sequim, perform at a Good Trouble community gathering and picnic on Thursday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. Organizers of the event, one of numerous gatherings across the United States, decided to forego conventional politics while commemorating the life of civil rights activist John Lewis. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Good trouble rally

Members of the musical group Soupbones, from left, Ed Schmid of Port… Continue reading

State funds to benefit coastal habitat

Clallam, Jefferson awarded $1.6M

Artists Heather Sparks, left, and Zeo Boekbinder set up a stencil of a fern leaf in an effort to decorate an otherwise-drab concrete roadside divider along Race Street south of Lauridsen Boulevard on Wednesday in Port Angeles. The divider work was part of a larger project to beautify the Race Street corridor from Eighth Street to Hurricane Ridge Road, which included improved traffic lanes, pedestrian and bicycle lanes and decorative lighting. Long-term plans call for similar improvements to Race Street, extending to First and Front streets. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
A touch of color

Artists Heather Sparks, left, and Zeo Boekbinder set up a stencil of… Continue reading

A tanker truck overturned into Indian Creek west of Port Angeles, according to the State Patrol and the state Department of Transportation. U.S. Highway 101 was closed Friday afternoon at milepost 238 near Herrick Road, and traffic was being diverted to state Highway 112. (Katherine Weatherwax via X)
Highway 101 closed after tanker truck overturns into creek

Port Angeles asks utility customers to conserve water

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her son, Cooper Hansen, 3, as Hansen’s mother, Tracy Hansen, right, looks on during a warm day at Hollywood Beach on the Port Angeles waterfront on Wednesday. The trio were enjoying a sunny summer afternoon next to the water. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Picture perfect

Lisa Hansen of Port Angeles, center, takes a cellphone photo of her… Continue reading

Claim against First Fed alleges $100M fraud

First Fed plans to ‘vigorously defend’ loans

Olympic Medical Center CEO says Medicaid cuts will hit hard

Darryl Wolfe tells board entire state will feel impact

Joseph Wilson, left, and Kevin Streett.
Jefferson PUD names new general manager

Wilson comes with 30 years of experience

Firefighters from Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue oversee a brush fire Wednesday in the area of Baker Farm Road. (Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue)
Woman airlifted to hospital following bicycle crash

U.S. Highway 101 was closed for about 45 minutes… Continue reading