USA: Cannabis e-cigarette refills linked to 77% of pulmonary patients (authorities)

Washington (AFP)

US health authorities confirmed on Friday that pre-filled refills of cannabis electronic cigarettes played a role in lung disease that has so far 805 patients and 12 deaths in the United States, and a suspect brand was cited.

77% of 514 patients who completed questionnaires on their past use reported using products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive agent of cannabis), announced Anne Schuchat, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ). A minority (16%) said they had only used nicotine products.

This is the first time the CDC has provided this statistic, even though it has so far shown that THC is used in many cases. The announcement comes as more and more states and cities in the US and around the world are considering banning e-cigarettes. Flavored vapers will be banned in the coming weeks in the United States.

In the two states from which the alert was issued in July, Illinois and Wisconsin, 66% of patients reported using refills sold under the name Dank Vapes. This mark had already been identified by the State of New York in early September.

In the vast majority of cases, patients reported buying pre-filled and packaged refills from friends or a dealer.

THC is cut with various additives such as solvents and flavors so that it can be heated and inhaled by vaping. The survey seeks to understand which of these additives can cause lung disease, but the analyzes have not yet found the common denominator.

Most of these diseases affect men and young people, many of whom end up in intensive care units, unable to breathe on their own. Half of them are under 23, according to Anne Schuchat.

"We do not know exactly what makes people sick," she repeated.

In Illinois and Wisconsin alone, out of 86 patients studied, 234 different products, of 87 brands, were reported, said Jennifer Layden, Illinois Health Manager.

As for the number of deaths, which passed Thursday at 12 at the national level in the CDC's weekly report, "alas, I'm afraid there will be more," said Anne Schuchat.

© 2019 AFP