OLCC AFFIRMS AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT MARIJUANA ADULTERANTS
BAN VITAMIN E ACETATE FROM MARIJUANA VAPING PRODUCTS
Portland, OR — At its monthly meeting on November 21, 2019, the Commissioners of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission affirmed the OLCC’s existing authority to ban adulterants, such as Vitamin E acetate, from inclusion in marijuana products. The Commission also approved eight marijuana violation stipulated settlement agreements.
Public health investigators with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have identified Vitamin E acetate as a potential culprit in the national outbreak of vaping illnesses. Forty-two people, including two in Oregon, have died from vaping illnesses. More than 2,100 individuals have been afflicted with the lung injury, including 18 Oregonians.
Previously the OLCC had not expressly allowed or banned Vitamin E acetate from being mixed into marijuana vaping products. Ingredients for marijuana products are already screened as part of the OLCC’s packaging and labeling pre-approval process. The Commission’s action supports both the public health finding and the agency’s ability to ban Vitamin E acetate.
“We’re making it clear that to protect consumer health we will vigorously scrutinize what goes into marijuana products sold in Oregon’s legal marketplace,” said Steve Marks, OLCC Executive Director. “The Commission is taking steps with our regulatory partners to put in place additional consumer safeguards. Just this week we discussed with the legislature establishing a state-run reference lab so that regulators can test marijuana products in an effort to better protect consumers.”
Under Oregon law, the OLCC can prohibit recreational marijuana licensees from selling a marijuana item that contains “injurious or adulterated” ingredients. See ORS 475B.232(2) for reference.
Under existing OLCC administrative rules “adulterated” is defined to mean in part “a foreign, inferior, poisonous or deleterious ingredient or substance that renders the marijuana item injurious to health. See OAR 845-025-1015(2) for reference. Based upon the CDC finding, the OLCC has determined that Vitamin E acetate is an adulterant.
Vitamin E acetate may continue to be included in non-inhaled marijuana products, such as lotions and edibles, so long as its introduction into those products meets all other OLCC requirements.
Articles from trusted sources that are following this story and investigating the source of the problems:
- Center for Disease Control – Outbreak Details
- Center for Disease Control – Recommendations for the public
- Leafly.com – Vape Illness – What you need to know
- OHA FAQs – Oregon Health Authority FAQs on Oregon incident
Statements from our cartridge producers about their products:
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