Opening Remarks from the ASTM Symposium on Contaminants in Cannabis and Hemp

Below are my opening remarks from the ASTM Symposium on Contaminants in the Cannabis and Hemp Industry on October 11th, 2023.

Hello!

I am Dr Jahan Marcu. Thank you for joining us today and welcome to day two of the symposium on contaminants in the cannabis and hemp industry, and their impact on consumer safety.

Many of us are gathered here today to answer, the long asked question, that many people have asked in exasperation and sometimes in curiosity…A question I have been asked before…it is the age old, mysterious question…”WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING?!?”

There are many big challenges that have been met by the industry regarding inhalation devices. We have seen that there are sets of practices for risk assessments, that have emerged from testing labs and firms…After all, there is more infrastructure now, than has ever existed for allowing cannabinoid and vape device safety testing - if you want to do it.

Working in different sectors of the cannabis and hemp industry is a constant learning experience. Participating on health advisory boards and consulting with different organization including departments of health, have provided experiences that have shown me, what companies are capable of, what there potential is, and how difficult some challenges are to overcome.

And while working on one particular project, have to say it was kind of thrilling to witness a device manufacturer — show in real time, with a microscopic camera, what happens to different products and materials that are heated in their devices. It is awesome to read studies and data published by companies in this field -THANK YOU. And for members of ASTM, I also volunteer my time to review data and study protocols for those brave enough to share their results - in the pursuit of publication in peer reviewed journals.

But — generating meaningful cannabis and hemp data may not not be for the those predisposed to cardiovascular issues or lacking intestinal fortitude.

It is hard to find a suitable laboratory when something is federally illegal, so it’s understandable for cannabis products to struggle and undergo the same stringent public health requirements that occur and are expected for other consumer products.

But it is not understandable for hemp products, which in no way face the same issues as federally illegal schedule I, state-legal, cannabis. You can hear it shouted from the Tik Tok mountain top and in the streams of LinkedIN content - hemp is federally legal!

If the marketing is true, then there should be no issue finding a safety and toxicology laboratory to test any hemp product.

And therein lies the reasons to be hopeful. There is more recognition that there are liabilities with products, and they need to be taken seriously.

If Pharma products were even associated with dyspnea (respiratory issues) and cyclical vomiting syndromes —Imagine if one of the new generation of biologic drugs was associated with heavy metal exposure? We would demand accountability and the responsibility of those companies to provide a solution for the health issues — associated with their product and use. Your product is sending people to the ER, its leading to complications related to mortality - How do we manage that?! We would require riskier products to be monitored for those symptoms and conditions in people using those products. But that’s what Pharma is required to do, or its products are not allowed in the market.


Even if Feds don’t bring the regulatory hammer down, no one wants another vape gate. Just like no one wants to see or find a loved one in state of respiratory distress…Except perhaps those bad actors…that are not doing what they ought to be doing.

For example, regarding terpene manufacturers — some are more - thoughtful and cautious - than others. More companies are actually, employing people with some toxicology and risk assessment backgrounds, to vet their formulations and devices. Even if they don’t have the talent on staff, companies will goto reputable consultancy firms, and get certain compounds evaluated…determining what are the reasonable limits for their devices.

Of course, things are better now than they have ever been because the industry has become more professionalized…There has been an extreme refinement of normative practices and standards that make it easier for the industry to run safely - with less risk…If you want it to.

This is the great idea of ASTM and the D37 Cannabis Committee. Creating consensus standards that everyone can point too. Standards that allow Self-regulation. Accountability.

Most of the industry craves meaningful standards & regulations because it keeps us all from guessing. We have all seen these back and forth discussions, hurling superlatives and hyperbolic word bombs…meanwhile it is exhausting for companies and consumers to constantly worry in a state of wonder: “Is this what we should be doing? Is this the best way to do it.”

There is a degree to which regulations should be embraced, and its is for the goal of leveling the playing field, Every industry wants to know the rules. Lets follow the rules of the game and let the chips fall where they may.

The best information we may have today about vaping, is right here. These lectures. These discussions. These experts and professionals volunteering their time. These are not issues that can be solved or addressed with 15-30 seconds of a brilliant piece of content or by typing a prompt into a plagiarism machine . The issues are nuanced, subtle, these are issues that have consequences.

It is time we start being critical - stopped being angry and started being more involved. Not just reaching for whatever bright and shiny product that is marketed to us.

I’m often told by colleagues questioning my ongoing product safety advocacy, saying that people are idiots and do not care about their health or the health of others….Are the critics right? Just because we are increasingly departing from the roots of safety that were spawned by medical cannabis patient advocacy, doesn’t mean we cant save those roots.

Some make it sound as though a safety signal is something that was dreamt up after dabbing all day. It is always a little humorous to me, to see the people vaping something (that they don’t really know what it is) criticizing others by stating…”What are you smoking!?”

Next up - Robert O’Brien will take us “Behind the smokescreen” with his keynote address. Followed by two presentations about analysis of metals and metal particles in vapes. But do not tune out and drop out after the break, because you will have a chance to understand and learn about degradation products, macromolecules of interests, and other impurities in vape oils and condensates.

And of course these days, no hemp and cannabis discussion is complete without a lesson in GMPs - be sure stick around for that at the end of today’s symposium. And of course, please watch the very last talk, our headliner, Dr. Nandakumara Sarma from the USP. He always delivers an informative and eloquent presentation.

Thank you.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations.