Future of Delta 8 THC vape laws after Juul ban

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Cannabinoid and nicotine products differ from one another — from ‘cultivation’ to their pharmaceutical effects. Certain governments have, however, regulated the two hand in hand. Consider the Agencies’ general overbearing sense of duty. Will the FDA’s recent ban on products by Juul indicate future vape laws regarding minor cannabinoids, such as delta 8 THC?

Newly unlawful vape pods

The FDA restricted vapes by Juul, a popular e-cigarette brand in the nation. Four pods have also been banned, including two nicotine concentrations of the Virginia tobacco and menthol flavours. The reason, according to the FDA, is due to health concerns. Studies by Juul raised toxicological concerns. Beyond this, the safety of leaking liquid cannot be guaranteed.

Consumers cannot be targeted by the law. But retailers selling banned Juul vapes will be doing so unlawfully and can be penalized. Aligning with an outright ban on a popular vape product, are plans to reduce nicotine content in cigarettes.

Comparing deaths next to the obvious player

Cigarette deaths have been appalling for decades, now. In relation, recorded deaths from cannabis are rare and more commonly occur from large quantities of biomass crushing an individual. Weed is as lethal as a brick. Whereas synthetic cannabinoids, as well as poor formulations in THC vape pens, have been responsible for several deaths in recent years.

E-cigarettes and vapes for nicotine and cannabis-related products have caused 68 deaths and led to 2807 injuries formulation. A factor in any vape comes down to construction and formulation. And in the case of Vaping-related injuries, poorly formulated vape oils are almost entirely to blame. Aside from Vitamin acetate, another flavouring agent might cause popcorn lung. Keep in mind, however, that acetylated cannabinoids like THC-o-acetate can also produce a toxic gas when vaped.

Juul vape now banned by fda
A Juul vape device, now banned in the US by the FDA.

Cannabinoids in the stream

Oregon recently banned all cannabinoids produced by artificial means, which would include Delta-8 alongside other isomers. Delta-8 THC is chemically converted from hemp-derived CBD. This means that laws covering THC isomers in the US have been pivotal — categorizing the plant as either hemp or cannabis.

In Canada, the future vape pens intended for cannabis and even delta 8 THC depend on multiple laws. Firstly, there is the Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) which encompasses Canada’s cannabis regulations. Secondly, the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act puts cannabinoids and nicotine under the same umbrella.

Is Delta 8 THC safe?

Nicotine binds to a special spot on the acetylcholine (ACH) receptor. Activation of nicotinic receptors causes depolarization and an increase in calcium currents. THC isomers rather oppose this effect. With that said, how Delta-8 THC affects humans is not still not well known in the literature. But regulators care more specifically about clinical trials which were previously restricted for THC due to prohibition.

A study on Delta-8 THC pharmacology, highlighting what happens to the cannabinoid after consumption, is a great step. As time progresses, science will continue to separate cannabis and nicotine laws into their respective categories for the future of vape pens and, hopefully, the entire market.

Let us know in the comments what you think of the FDA’s decision to ban Juul vapes. What do you think the future of the minor cannabinoid market will look like without support from clinical trials?

Sources

  1. FDA. 23/06/2022. FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products. News Release.
  2. Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. Division 26 Adult Use Cannabis And Hemp Concentration Limits. Chapter 845. Accessed 24/06/2022.
  3. Gastaldo, E. 2013. Guy crushed to death by his own marijuana. USA Today.
  4. Strongin R, Munger K, Jensen R. Vaping Cannabinoid Acetates Leads to Ketene Formation. ChemRxiv. 2022. doi:10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-v379b-v2 This content is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed.
  5. Tagen M, Klumpers LE. Review of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8 -THC): Comparative pharmacology with Δ9 -THC [published online ahead of print, 2022 May 6]. Br J Pharmacol. 2022;10.1111/bph.15865. doi:10.1111/bph.15865