When people buy products, especially in a developed country like the US or UK, they have the logical expectation that the product will contain, or not contain, certain ingredients, based on the product labeling. But lately we’re seeing a rise of mislabeled or contaminated products that are causing issues for consumers. The most recent story to hit the airwaves – nicotine-free vapes sold on Amazon that do contain nicotine. Let’s take a closer look.
What’s the news?
Recent investigation by The Guardian (a British daily newspaper) found that “nicotine-free” vapes sold on Amazon were found to actually contain quite a bit of nicotine. They tested seven products sold through the marketplace by third-party sellers that claimed to contain no nicotine at all, and six did in fact, contain the addictive stimulant.
This all started with concerns raised by a consumer. He contacted Amazon directly in July and August, and was told to contact the seller directly (which we all know can be rather difficult sometimes). Now that the story has been picked up by the media, Amazon has since removed the products and said It would “take enforcement action against any third-party sellers who violate their policies”.
The customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had been using the disposable vape pens for quite some time before he realized something was amiss. “I have been trying to give up vaping so I bought no-nicotine ones,” he said. “I have bought them about 20 times and spent hundreds of pounds on them.”
“When I first got them I trusted they did not contain nicotine, so thought I was getting off [the substance]. But when I stopped using the vapes I got withdrawals. I looked at the reviews and loads of people were saying this product actually has nicotine in it. They were saying it is a fraud,” he said. He contacted Amazon customer service and stated that “as per the description we believe it [the product] contains no nicotine”. He replied asking: “So no tests were done on the product? Even though myself and other people in the reviews have said it probably contained nicotine.”
Not only was there nicotine in the nicotine-free vapes, but many of them came back as having more than the legal capacity of 2ml, with a strength no more than 20mg/ml. So not only did they have nicotine when they were not supposed to, but some of them had more than the legal limit for vapes that actually do contain nicotine.
According to The Guardian, “One vape was marketed as being zero-nicotine but actually had 12.27mg/ml of nicotine and a fill volume of 6ml. Another vape had 13.58mg/ml of nicotine and a similarly large fill volume.”
In the UK, where this problem was discovered, there is a pending ban on disposable vapes, after growing calls for action from healthcare professionals and advocates. An announcement is expected soon as to whether the ban will be implemented or not, and this story might be enough to push regulators in a certain direction.
What are the implications here?
The obvious problem here is that stories like this make it impossible for consumers to trust what they’re buying. It’s terrible to think about how many people out there are trying to get off nicotine, thinking they are purchasing vapes that will help there in their journey to fight addiction, only to be deceived by a shady company who may not even face any consequences for their actions.
Ultimately, it shows us that as much as we crave less government regulations, unfortunately, it seems that these industries just cannot seem regulate themselves, as we keep seeing issues like this with mislabeled and contaminated products in all the markets that sell smokables like cannabis and nicotine vapes.
But on the flip side, we have this problem in regulated industries as well. How often do we see product recalls in the news? Chicken strips with pieces of plastic in them, undeclared dairy in vegan products at trader joes, cookies containing rocks, soup with dead insects in it; the list goes on. Medications are often recalled also. A recent study found that over the last 10 years, an average of 4 medications are recalled every single day in the United States.
And the recalls don’t stop at consumable products. Ford recently issued a recall for 42,000 trucks over a defect that “may cause crashes”. Electrolux Group recently recalled 80,000 gas cooktops for gas leaks and fire hazards. And possibly the most terrifying, nearly 60,000 car seats were recalled earlier this year because the “models may fail”, according to records.
Are we simply not safe from sh***y products, regardless of whether the government steps in to oversee the industry or not? Honestly, it’s starting to seem that way. And this recent drama with Amazon and their nicotine vapes put the spotlight on this issue once again.
Final thoughts
Although some of these fringe industries have been requesting some help from the government lately, it’s hard to say if that will even work. When it comes to all the off-label vape products, it’s a high possibility that they will be responsible for the illegalization of certain items in many countries. If the UK moves forward with a ban on disposable vapes, it’s very likely that more countries will follow suit… and this recent buzz about nicotine in nicotine-free vapes does nothing to help.
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Food asphyxiation is in the news today – and is WAY more dangerous than marijuana.
Food asphyxiation is in the news again. In the US alone, approximately 5,000 – 5,500 people die from choking on food or other objects annually. Factors like living alone, having dentures, difficulty swallowing, and certain foods (like bananas, marshmallows, or gelatinous candies) can increase the risk of choking. These numbers highlight the persistent danger of food asphyxiation and the need for increased awareness and prevention measures. And yet, it is really mention in the media or Congressional reviews. But food asphyxiation is way more dangerous than cannabis.
Food asphyxiation, commonly known as choking, claims a significant number of lives each year. The elderly population is most at risk, with 90% of food-related choking deaths in 2022 occurring in individuals over 50 years old. This statistic underscores the importance of proper care and attention for older adults during meal times. These numbers highlight the persistent danger of food asphyxiation and the need for increased awareness and prevention measures.
In contrast, deaths directly attributed to marijuana overdose are extremely rare and there is no documented case of fatal overdose from natural marijuana alone. This stark difference in mortality rates between food asphyxiation and marijuana use is noteworthy.
The disparity between food asphyxiation and marijuana overdose deaths is striking. While hundreds die each year from choking on food, marijuana overdose fatalities are virtually non-existent when considering natural marijuana use.
These findings suggest public health efforts might be disproportionately focused on substances with lower mortality rates while overlooking more common dangers like food asphyxiation. Increased education on proper eating habits, especially for at-risk populations like the elderly, could potentially save more lives than efforts to prevent marijuana overdoses.
To prevent choking, listen to your mom’s advice – eat slowly and throughly, cut food into bite size pieces, and don’t talk with your mouth full. And be mindful of food which may have small pieces or tiny bones.
Despite the massive investment by some in the industry, outdoor grows are the healthier, cleaner option
Like fruits and vegetables, outdoor floors yield the richest flavor and the least expensive products. The same can be said about cannabis, outdoor marijuana grows are better all the way around. When the industry started becoming legal, hundreds of millions were invested in indoor grow with the assumption cost per pound would stay high. Companies like Tilray built massive indoor grows, but over time they have caused expensive upkeep, high consumer prices, and upset neighbors. And do they produce the best cannabis? By leveraging natural resources like sunlight and soil, this method reduces environmental impact, enhances product quality, and fosters community harmony.
Outdoor cannabis cultivation drastically lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to indoor growing. Research shows outdoor farming can emit up to 50 times less carbon dioxide than indoor production, which relies heavily on artificial lighting, air conditioning, and dehumidifiers. Additionally, outdoor grows eliminate the need for energy-intensive equipment, reducing electricity consumption and promoting sustainability. Water conservation is another key advantage; outdoor farms often use natural rainwater or precision watering techniques, minimizing waste. Furthermore, the absence of chemical fertilizers in many outdoor setups helps protect local ecosystems from pollution.
Outdoor growing is more cost-effective for both producers and consumers. It eliminates expenses associated with indoor cultivation—such as high electricity bills and specialized equipment—making cannabis more affordable. For home growers, cultivating outdoors fosters a connection with nature while empowering individuals to produce their own medicine sustainably.
Sun-grown cannabis benefits from exposure to full-spectrum natural light, enhancing its terpene profiles and cannabinoid production. This results in richer flavors, aromas, and potency that indoor setups struggle to replicate. Outdoor cultivation also allows plants to grow larger and healthier due to unrestricted space and access to diverse soil nutrients. This translates to higher yields and better-quality products for consumers. Additionally, outdoor-grown cannabis often develops unique characteristics influenced by the local terroir, offering a diverse range of experiences akin to wine production.
Outdoor marijuana farms are less disruptive to neighborhoods compared to indoor facilities. Indoor grows often require extensive infrastructure upgrades, leading to increased energy demand and noise pollution from machinery. There has been an uprising by some local governments about the grows.
In contrast, outdoor farms blend harmoniously with their surroundings, relying on natural processes rather than artificial systems. Moreover, outdoor cultivation supports local biodiversity by integrating companion plants that deter pests naturally and enrich the soil.
While outdoor cultivation is environmentally friendly, it poses challenges such as susceptibility to pests and weather fluctuations. However, solutions like greenhouses can provide controlled environments while retaining the benefits of natural sunlight. Choosing resilient strains adapted to local climates further ensures successful harvests.
The administration has spent very mixed signals…will consumers turn to hemp if marijuana is outlawed again?
He is one of the most globally well known figures and now he has health issue. The Pope resides in Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, and given its unique status , there is no healthcare system, medical centers, or hospitals. All patients must access clinics and hospitals in Rome for care. One of the most ancient cities in the world, Rome has a robust healthcare system. It includes the renowned Policlinico Universitario Gemelli, which is considered one of the largest private university hospitals in Europe and the best in Italy. But it isn’t global known like the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or Toronto General. Thinking outside the box, could medical marijuana help Pope Francis?
As the Pope continues his recovery from pneumonia and mild kidney issues, medical experts are exploring innovative treatments that could potentially aid in his healing process. One such treatment gaining attention is medical marijuana, which has shown promise in addressing various health conditions.
Medical marijuana might offer relief for Pope Francis’srespiratory challenges. Certain cannabinoids, particularly CBD, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce lung inflammation associated with pneumonia. While smoking cannabis is not recommended for respiratory conditions, alternative delivery methods such as vaporization or edibles could potentially provide therapeutic benefits without irritating the lungs
As the Pope recovers, pain management is likely a key concern. Medical marijuana has shown potential as a pain adjuvant, potentially reducing the need for opioids in patients with chronic conditions. This could be particularly beneficial for elderly patients like Pope Francis, who may be more susceptible to the side effects of traditional pain medications.
Recent studies have explored the relationship between cannabis and kidney function. While more research is needed, some evidence suggests that cannabis does not negatively affect kidney function in healthy individuals. For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), careful monitoring and dosage adjustment may be necessary to ensure safe use.
Medical marijuana has been associated with improvements in various symptoms that could enhance the Pope’s quality of life during recovery. These include better sleep, reduced anxiety, and increased appetite. Such benefits could contribute to a more comfortable and efficient healing process.
While the potential benefits of medical marijuana are intriguing, it’s important to approach any treatment the same caution as any elderly patient. A personalized treatment plan, developed in consultation with medical professionals, would be essential to ensure safety and efficacy. As the world watches the Pope’s recovery, the consideration of medical marijuana as a complementary treatment option offers a ray of hope. While more research is needed to fully understand its effects on specific conditions, the potential benefits for pain management, inflammation reduction, and overall well-being make it an intriguing possibility.