Legislation speeding through the Michigan Legislature goes after businesses that sell vaping products with a specific additive.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has linked Vitamin E acetate to a majority of roughly 2,300 cases of severe lung damage connected to the use of vaping products. 48 people have died, including two in Michigan.
It’s believed black market vendors use Vitamin E acetate to dilute THC oil for vaping products.
State Representative Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) is one of the sponsors of a trio of bills dealing with Vitamin E acetate. Hammoud’s bill would make it a misdemeanor, with civil fines as high as $2,500, for selling a marijuana or tobacco vaping product containing Vitamin E acetate.
“This is a very calculated and specific package that goes after a chemical that’s been determined to be very dangerous to our health,” says Hammoud.
Michigan's Marijuana Regulatory Agency has ordered dispensaries to test their vaping products for Vitamin E acetate.
The Vitamin E acetate legislation was introduced less than two months ago.
The legislation is making its way through the Michigan Legislature as state and national health agencies continue to investigate the roots of the outbreak of vaping-related severe lung damage.
Hammoud says the Legislature is trying to respond quickly to an evolving health crisis.
“It’s fast moving, but we need to be fast acting,” says Hammoud. “Because it is something that is impacting the public health of not only the youth, but everybody who is a vaper with the products that are being sold on the shelves.”
Hammoud is optimistic the legislation will reach the governor’s desk early next year.
