The devices often called “Torch carts” represent a broad array of cannabis vaping products originating primarily from the unregulated or illicit market. These cartridges are typically pre-filled with concentrated cannabis oil, but they bypass the safety regulations and quality control standards of legal markets. Due to this complete lack of oversight and testing, these products carry significant, often hidden, health risks for the user.
Chemical Risks: Contaminants and Cutting Agents
The composition of the oil in unregulated cartridges frequently contains unlisted and potentially dangerous additives. Illicit manufacturers commonly use cutting agents to dilute the concentrated cannabis extract, increasing product volume and boosting profits. The most widely recognized of these agents is Vitamin E Acetate (VEA), strongly linked to the outbreak of severe lung injuries in 2019. When inhaled, VEA is not safely cleared by the lungs; instead, it coats the tissue and interferes with normal pulmonary function.
Beyond intentional cutting agents, these oils often contain residual contaminants. Poor-quality extraction methods used in unlicensed labs frequently leave behind high levels of residual solvents, such as butane or propane, which are unsafe for inhalation. Furthermore, the cannabis biomass used by illicit producers is rarely tested for pesticides, leading to dangerous concentrations in the final oil. Testing of black market products has shown pesticide levels thousands of times higher than what is permitted in regulated markets.
Device Integrity and Heavy Metal Leaching
A distinct set of hazards is introduced by the substandard physical construction of unregulated cartridges. Illicit producers use the cheapest available components, which are not manufactured to the strict material safety standards required for legal consumer products. The heating elements, coils, and internal wiring are often made from low-grade alloys containing various heavy metals. When these components are repeatedly heated, heavy metals can leach directly into the cannabis oil.
Studies have consistently detected concerning levels of metals such as lead, nickel, chromium, and copper in the oil and aerosol produced by these devices. The acidity of certain cannabis liquids can accelerate this leaching process, allowing metal particles to migrate from the internal components into the oil over time. Even if the oil were initially clean, the cartridge hardware could still introduce toxic metal nanoparticles that are then inhaled directly into the respiratory system.
Acute and Long-Term Health Outcomes
The use of contaminated, unregulated vaping products has been directly linked to severe, documented health crises. The most prominent consequence is E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury, known as EVALI. This acute respiratory illness, primarily caused by Vitamin E Acetate found in illicit THC cartridges, resulted in thousands of hospitalizations and dozens of deaths. EVALI is a form of lung damage that presents with symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and gastrointestinal issues.
Beyond the acute danger of EVALI, inhaling chemical contaminants and heavy metals carries a risk of chronic injury. The introduction of toxic substances can cause long-term, irreversible damage to the delicate tissues of the lungs. Chronic exposure to inhaled metals like nickel and lead is associated with systemic health issues, including neurological and cardiovascular problems. Even in less severe cases, users often report a chronic cough and persistent respiratory distress that indicate ongoing irritation and inflammation within the airways.
How to Identify Unregulated Vaping Products
Consumers can take several practical steps to assess the safety and legality of a vaping product before use. The single most effective action is to purchase only from state-licensed and regulated dispensaries, as these facilities are legally required to sell tested products. Unregulated products frequently utilize generic, unprofessional, or cartoonish packaging, which is a strong indicator of an illicit source.
Always inspect the product packaging for specific compliance information. Authentic, regulated cartridges will feature clear, state-mandated warning symbols, manufacturing and packaging dates, and a unique batch or lot number. A product lacking these details, or one with misspellings or poorly printed labels, is likely a counterfeit item. Many reputable brands now include a scannable QR code or batch number that allows consumers to verify the product’s authenticity and view its certificate of analysis (COA) on a third-party lab website.