Vape cartridges, commonly referred to as “carts,” are devices designed to heat and vaporize concentrated substances for inhalation. These products typically contain cannabis oil or other compounds. A growing concern surrounds the illicit market for these cartridges, where products are often “laced” or adulterated with harmful substances. This poses significant health risks to consumers who may unknowingly inhale dangerous chemicals. Lack of regulatory oversight in these markets contributes to widespread product adulteration.
Common Contaminants and Adulterants
Illicit vape cartridges often contain substances beyond their advertised contents, posing health concerns. One frequently identified additive is Vitamin E acetate, a synthetic form of Vitamin E. This substance was strongly linked to the 2019 outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), as it can accumulate in the lungs when inhaled and interfere with lung function.
Various oils are also used as cutting agents to dilute the product. These include medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), and even mineral oil. While some, like PG and VG, are common in regulated e-liquids, their use in unregulated products can be problematic; mineral oil, for instance, is not intended for inhalation.
Synthetic cannabinoids, often known as “K2” or “Spice,” are laboratory-made chemicals designed to mimic THC. Added to illicit cartridges for psychoactive effects, their unpredictable compositions are more potent than natural cannabis and can cause severe, often unpleasant, outcomes.
A potent synthetic opioid, fentanyl, is another substance found in illicit vapes. Even a minuscule amount can be lethal, leading to a high risk of overdose or death when unknowingly inhaled. Law enforcement reports indicate fentanyl appearing in e-cigarettes and THC vape cartridges.
Beyond intentional additives, illicit products can also be contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides. Heavy metals like lead and cadmium can leach into the vapor from substandard heating coils or other hardware components. Pesticides, such as myclobutanil, originate from poor cultivation practices or improper extraction methods and can turn into toxic compounds like hydrogen cyanide when heated.
Motivations Behind Adulteration
The primary motivation for adulterating vape cartridges in the illicit market is economic gain. Manufacturers and distributors can significantly increase their profit margins by diluting active ingredients with cheaper cutting agents. This allows them to stretch a smaller amount of expensive primary substance into a larger product volume.
Another motivation involves mimicking desired effects or consistency. Synthetic cannabinoids, for instance, might be added to low-quality or fake products to replicate THC’s psychoactive effects, making a weak product appear more potent. Certain additives are also used to achieve a specific viscosity or color that consumers might associate with high-quality products. For example, Vitamin E acetate was used because its thickness is similar to cannabis oil, making dilution less noticeable.
The absence of regulatory oversight in illicit markets enables these deceptive practices without consequence. Unlike legal markets with strict testing and labeling requirements, black market operators face no penalties for using unapproved or harmful additives. This unregulated environment prioritizes profit maximization over consumer safety.
Recognizing Potentially Adulterated Products
Identifying potentially adulterated vape cartridges can be challenging without laboratory testing, but several observable signs and source considerations can serve as red flags. The source of purchase is a primary indicator; it is advisable to buy products only from licensed, regulated dispensaries or verified, reputable retailers. Purchasing from street dealers, unverified online sources, or social media sales significantly increases the likelihood of encountering counterfeit or adulterated products.
Packaging and labeling can also reveal inconsistencies. Suspicious packaging might include a lack of proper branding, missing batch or lot numbers, or an absence of clear ingredient lists and lab testing results.
Misspellings, grammatical errors, poor-quality printing, or the use of copyrighted cartoon characters on packaging are common signs of counterfeit items. Legitimate products often feature QR codes for authenticity verification that lead to valid lab reports, whereas fake products may have non-functional codes or link to fraudulent websites.
The appearance of the oil itself can provide clues. Genuine cannabis oil typically has a golden color and a thick, viscous consistency where air bubbles move slowly. Unusual colors, such as too dark, too light, greenish, or reddish hues, can indicate adulteration. Cloudiness, separation of layers, or the presence of visible particles within the oil are also abnormal signs.
An unusual smell or taste should also prompt caution. If the product emits a chemical odor, has a harsh taste, or an artificial flavor that does not align with the advertised profile, it may be adulterated. Finally, prices that appear “too good to be true” are often a strong indication of counterfeit or substandard products, as illicit manufacturers use cheaper ingredients and bypass quality control to offer lower prices.
Health Impacts of Adulterated Carts
The use of adulterated vape cartridges can lead to a range of serious health consequences, directly linked to the harmful substances they may contain. One significant concern is the potential for severe respiratory issues. Inhaling cutting agents like Vitamin E acetate can cause lung damage, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain, as seen in cases of EVALI. Other oils, when heated and inhaled, can also irritate the airways and contribute to respiratory distress.
Synthetic cannabinoids found in illicit vapes can induce unpredictable neurological effects. These may include seizures, extreme anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and impaired motor function. The potency and variability of these substances mean that users can experience severe and unexpected reactions that differ significantly from those of natural cannabis.
The risk of overdose and poisoning is particularly acute, especially when cartridges are laced with potent opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl, even in small amounts, can cause severe respiratory depression, leading to unconsciousness, coma, and death. The rapid absorption of substances through vaping further intensifies this risk, making timely medical intervention challenging.
Long-term exposure to heavy metals or other toxins in adulterated cartridges can result in chronic damage to various organs, including the lungs, liver, and kidneys. The unpredictable nature of these illicit products means long-term effects are still being studied.