The vape pen and pod-product category (shown above) has evolved faster than regulators ever imagined. (David Downs/Leafly)
Oregon cannabis consumers would be wise to avoid legal vapes labeled with vague ingredients like “natural flavor,” at least until April. That “natural flavor” can actually be a skin moisturizer ingredient derived from shark liver oil a substance called squalane, or squalene. Burning it could give you a lung injury.
This Thursday, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission will move to ban the cosmetics ingredients squalane and squalene from entering the legal marijuana vape market and, subsequently, consumers’ lungs. The ban would take effect immediately.