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Shawna Vreeke, PhD
Head of Research and Toxicology
True Terpenes
SPEAKER
SAFETY

Toxicological Risk in Cannabis Vapes: Exogenous Additives and Their Implications for Consumer Safety

We have developed a standard practice to perform toxicological risk assessments of exogenous ingredients used in cannabinoid formulations for vaporization devices to reject or accept with calculated acceptable use limits based on the available scientific literature and new approach methodologies. Using this practice, this study aims to evaluate the potential risks these additives pose to users and identify harmful compounds that are currently present in vaporizer products on the market. Through quantitative GC/MS analysis of a targeted list of compounds in products from multiple terpene manufacturers, this study detected various toxic additives that could compromise consumer health.

This session will review the safety assessment framework adopted as a global standard by ASTM. It will highlight specific higher-risk ingredients and identify how prevalent they are in vaporization products currently in the cannabis market. The findings highlight an urgent need for a toxicological review of non-cannabinoid additives used in inhalable products to reduce potential health risks. By implementing rigorous safety standards, the cannabis industry can reduce the risk to consumer health, prevent over-regulation and flavor bans, and support the longevity of the industry.

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about the ASTM newly adopted risk assessment standard for cannabis vaporizer additives

  • Gain insights into specific compounds found in vape additives that pose potential toxicological risks
BIO
Dr. Shawna Vreeke is Head of Research at True Terpenes, where she is instrumental in developing and maintaining the rigorous safety and quality protocols the brand is known for. She completed a Ph.D. in Chemistry, working alongside vape chemistry expert Dr. Robert M. Strongin to study toxin formation in electronic cigarettes. Dr. Shawna is an active advocate for science-based safety parameters to protect consumer health and has worked with policymakers to implement sensible regulations to protect public health and maintain access to regulated cannabis products. She has multiple peer-reviewed papers on vape safety, and most recently, her work has been adopted into two ASTM global standards.

ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT.

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