The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a breakthrough in its vaping-related investigation, citing Vitamin E acetate as a “very strong culprit” in lung injuries that have led to the deaths of 39 people and serious illnesses of more than 2,000 others. Many of the people who became ill did not get their products from legal and regulated sources.  Makers of illicit vaping fluids sometimes add Vitamin E acetate to dilute THC in order to increase their profits. 

The CDC cautions, however, that they still have more work to do before completely ruling out legal sources. And despite the breakthrough, there isn’t much federal regulators can do about it.  The Food and Drug Administration’s hands are tied because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. 

In Colorado, Vitamin E acetate was banned this week by the Marijuana Enforcement Division. Public health officials have confirmed 11 cases of vaping-related illness in the state.  The death of an 18-year-old Colorado man is being investigated to determine if it is related to vaping.  Autopsy results are expected in about a month. 

At the federal level, the National Cannabis Industry Association continued advocating for descheduling and uniform federal regulations , noting that the vaping-related illnesses show the shortcomings of the current patchwork of state laws. The Cannabis Trade Federation released a statement saying:  “This health crisis and the recent breakthrough in the investigation underscore the importance of existing state cannabis regulations, as well as the need for strict cannabis regulation at both the state and federal levels.” 

Meanwhile, a POLITICO-Harvard poll shows that despite the vaping crisis, Americans view e-cigarettes as far more dangerous than marijuana.