E-cigarettes: a review of new trends in cannabis use

Details

Ressource 1Request a copy Under indefinite embargo.
UNIL restricted access
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_7DBE133F3665
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
E-cigarettes: a review of new trends in cannabis use
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Author(s)
Giroud C., de Cesare M., Berthet Aurélie, Varlet V., Concha-Lozano Nicolas, Favrat B.
ISSN
1660-4601 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1660-4601
Publication state
Published
Issued date
21/08/2015
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
12
Number
8
Pages
9988-10008
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
The emergence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has given cannabis smokers a new method of inhaling cannabinoids. E-cigs differ from traditional marijuana cigarettes in several respects. First, it is assumed that vaporizing cannabinoids at lower temperatures is safer because it produces smaller amounts of toxic substances than the hot combustion of a marijuana cigarette. Recreational cannabis users can discretely "vape" deodorized cannabis extracts with minimal annoyance to the people around them and less chance of detection. There are nevertheless several drawbacks worth mentioning: although manufacturing commercial (or homemade) cannabinoid-enriched electronic liquids (e-liquids) requires lengthy, complex processing, some are readily on the Internet despite their lack of quality control, expiry date, and conditions of preservation and, above all, any toxicological and clinical assessment. Besides these safety problems, the regulatory situation surrounding e-liquids is often unclear. More simply ground cannabis flowering heads or concentrated, oily THC extracts (such as butane honey oil or BHO) can be vaped in specially designed, pen-sized marijuana vaporizers. Analysis of a commercial e-liquid rich in cannabidiol showed that it contained a smaller dose of active ingredient than advertised; testing our laboratory-made, purified BHO, however, confirmed that it could be vaped in an e-cig to deliver a psychoactive dose of THC. The health consequences specific to vaping these cannabis preparations remain largely unknown and speculative due to the absence of comprehensive, robust scientific studies. The most significant health concerns involve the vaping of cannabinoids by children and teenagers. E-cigs could provide an alternative gateway to cannabis use for young people. Furthermore, vaping cannabinoids could lead to environmental and passive contamination.
Keywords
Cannabinoids/analysis, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/adverse effects, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/statistics & numerical data, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/trends, Humans, Marijuana Smoking/adverse effects, Marijuana Smoking/epidemiology, Marijuana Smoking/trends, Nebulizers and Vaporizers/statistics & numerical data, Nebulizers and Vaporizers/trends, adolescence, cannabis, electronic cigarette, vaping
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
21/08/2015 11:39
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:39
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