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DEA Warns Teens on Using THC-containing Vapes
A local school district in Texas issued a warning to students who use THC-laden vape pens, indicating that they will face expulsion if they get caught. It is in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing a notice to the youth, cautioning them against using vape that killed six users due to alleged complications.
Some eight students caught possessing vape pens containing THC are waiting whether they will be expelled from NEISD. The rest of the US are on high alert due to the recent turn of events.
Warnings from Government Agencies
The DEA also issued a warning, saying that vape users many be clueless as to what they are getting.
Dante Sorianello, Drug Enforcement Administration assistant special agent in San Antonio, stated that they had witnessed a growth in the number of inserts for e-cigarettes and vape cartridges that came from other states like Colorado and smuggled into Texas. Such products are found to contain high THC levels, which causes psychoactive effects like in of marijuana.
It means that not everyone who vapes is aware that what they are using may already be contaminated and illegal since it contains marijuana.
Sorianello stated that since such products contain unregulated tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, they are largely illegal in Texas and may cause various health issues. He added that the industry still has loose regulations as of late.
The Problem with Vapes
Another issue that arises during discussions about vaping is understanding the distinction between marijuana and hemp. Both come from the same source plant, Cannabis sativa L. The difference is that marijuana is infamous for its psychoactive properties, while CBD has none. Legally, the hemp variety is legal based on the Hemp Federal Act.
Cannabidiol or CBD products that do not contain more than 0.3% of THC are considered legal under the Hemp Act and the Farm Bill. However, Sorialleno noted that it is difficult to test for THC and determine whether an item labeled as CBD is lawful.
A few years ago, as vaping started to get the public’s attention, only 1.5% of students in high school were using such products. Fast forward to 2017, and the number of high school students who vape climbed up to 11%, and is still rising for now. These numbers show how the problem is getting bigger as time goes by.
Independent Testing by AP
A test conducted by the Associated Press revealed that 10 out of the 20 vape samples are said to contain synthetic cannabinoids in them. Some CBD edibles like gummies also tested positive for the illegal substance.
There have been reports of severe side effects for users who tried spiked vapes. Some of the signs and symptoms include hallucinations and coma just a few moments only after ingesting the said compound. Some vape users across different states revealed that they had taken a trip to the ER after unknowingly using vape products laced with illegal substances.