A new study out of the University of California found that vaping THC-O acetate may cause lung injury and spark another e-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) epidemic.
The previous EVALI outbreak happened in 2019-2020 when low-quality cannabis vapes caused hospitalizations and some deaths likely due to vitamin E acetate contamination.
The researchers said when THC-O is heated, it can create a toxic compound called ketene, which is linked to EVALI. THC-O is one of the latest so-called “alternative cannabinoids,” which are made synthetically from hemp-derived CBD and therefore not strictly illegal.
It’s believed to be much more potent (2-3 times) than regular THC and is made through a chemical process that can create unsafe contaminants.
As a reminder, THC-O has seen very little research and we know almost nothing about its safety. Despite this, THC-O is widely available online from dozens of vendors.
Gleb is a freelance writer from Vancouver, Canada specializing in CBD and cannabis. He’s read thousands of studies on CBD and other supplements, helping him translate complex science into plain language. Gleb has tried and reviewed dozens of CBD brands and products, written third-party testing reports, and knows the CBD industry inside and out. When not writing, he likes to kickbox, travel, and tell everyone how awesome intermittent fasting is.
