Pennsylvania Recalls More Than 500 THC Vape Brands

Pennsylvania regulators recalled hundreds of medical marijuana vape products because the state says they contain ingredients unapproved for inhalation. The state health department released a list of more than 500 cannabis vape products with ingredients not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“Although some of these added ingredients may be considered safe in other non-inhaled products, patient safety is the top priority of the Medical Marijuana Program,” the state wrote in an email announcing the recall, according to the Pittsburgh City Paper (PCP), as reported by MJBiz Daily.

The PCP stated that the agency did not respond to a request for more information. The FDA has not approved any cannabis product for marketing. The agency does not have the authority to approve the marketing for or the regulation of any cannabis products, unless a company makes health claims.

The recall comes after a months-long process in which Pennsylvania officials reviewed medical marijuana vaping products. In November, state regulators gave licensed grower/processors two weeks to resubmit vaporized cannabis products that contain additives, including flavors or terpenes, for approval.

Health officials then told patients in December that some of the products sold by medical marijuana retailers might not be safe to inhale. The e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) crisis of 2019-2020 was caused by vitamin E acetate in black market THC vaping devices.