​Since our discussion on health issues and THC vapes, many within the Bento Family have asked for updates. Two major news stories we would like to discuss is on the Center of Disease Control’s (CDC) adjusted stance of THC vape cartridges and the results from a test conducted on 18 THC vape cartridges in the California market. 

​The CDC issued a press release at the end of September explaining how unregulated THC cartridges may be the common factor. Of the 514 patients suffering from vape related illnesses, around 77% used THC products with or without nicotine based products. Since the study, there have been 805 confirmed lung related injuries from 46 states.

​Cannabis is either legal, illegal or allow for some medical use in these states. Cases stemming from a fully legal state like Illinois and a completely illegal state such as Wisconsin note virtually all THC vape products were purchased from “informal sources such as friends, family members, illicit dealers, or off the street.” Products bought off the street can be extremely dangerous due to their unregulated and untested nature. 

NBC News conducted a test on 18 THC cartridges from legal and illegal dispensaries in California. 13 samples came back testing positive for Vitamin E (click this link for a more in-depth look into Vitamin E and how it affects your body), and 10 contain myclobutanil. Myclobutanil is a fungicide, that turns into hydrogen cyanide when ignited. All of these samples were purchased from the black market.
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Three cartridges were purchased from legal shops and they came back negative for heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents. The three brands are Select, Orchid Essentials, and Tikun. 

​We, at Bento, pride ourselves in providing our customers with high quality, tested, and safe products. We do not sell products that have not been tested by laboratories. The tests conducted look for similar things such as heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, etc. As the test shows, Select does not contain any of the harmful ingredients that black market cartridges have. Because we want our Bento Family to consume safely and affordably, a $119 for 3 full gram Select cartridge deal will go live on our menu. If you have any questions please feel free to comment below or email peter@bentodelivery.com to further the conversation.

This week’s discussion stems from a conversation we had following the release of our second ever weekly discussion. With reports coming from over half of the USA, vape related illnesses and deaths are sweeping the nation. While the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet to state a conclusive cause, there is a common link between samples collected from those are/were affected and their use of THC vape cartridges. Please not these health issues and deaths are appearing in other vape related products outside of the cannabis industry. 

​Because we’re a cannabis company, we want to focus on what officials have found in samples of the victims’ THC vape products. The link is vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate is commonly used in every day products like lotion. Some black market producers use honey cut as a thickener in cartridges to give off the appearance of a higher quality product. These producers trick unsuspecting consumers in thinking the gold colored liquid is safe to inhale in the liquid format.

The thickener has serious, life threatening effects on our respiratory system. Symptoms from hospitalized patients include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. A serious, life-threatening condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome could be developed where fluid fills up one’s lungs. As a result, preventing oxygen from flowing through the body. Death has resulted in some cases.

Luckily the California legal market requires testing of all cannabis products from licensed labs. Legal companies such as Bento Delivery receive a Certificates of Analysis (COA) for every product we sell. Therefore, making it nearly impossible for legal companies to sell products with life threating ingredients. That is why we recommend to not buy from products off the streets as they are untested.
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We are committed to being a positive force in the lives of each and every member of the Bento Family! Stop by our booth at Hempcon from September 13 – 15, 2019 at the Cow Palace in Daly City to learn more about us and our commitment to positive experiences! In the meantime, let us know your thoughts by commenting below or emailing us at peter@bentodelivery.com to further the discussion.