The Army Public Health Center just recently issued a notice to the public regarding the safety of CBD vape pens after the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, NC, and the Naval Medical Center at Camp Lejeune, NC, have seen a combined total of approximately 60 patients with medical conditions potentially related to vaping products marketed as containing CBD oil.
The notice makes it very clear that "pure CBD oil has not yet been associated with adverse health effects." Rather, the Army is concerned with CBD vape oils that may contain synthetic cannabinoids and/or other hazardous compounds in addition to, or in place of, CBD oil. With deaths related to synthetic marijuana on the rise, the Army needs to look out for its troops.
Adverse health effects reported in Active Duty patients included headaches, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dilated pupils, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, agitation and seizures, all of which are consistent with adverse effects of synthetic cannabinoids.
According to the health alert, complications from the seizures may have resulted in significant neurologic damage in one Soldier and falls/accidents resulting from seizures are blamed for the deaths of two Marines. Four additional public cases have been reported in North Carolina and 33 cases have been reported in Utah. The Army Public Health Center notes that "this problem has the potential to spread quickly across the Army."
It's not just the health of the soldiers they're worried about. Per AR 600-85, soldiers are prohibited from using hemp or products containing hemp oil and are also prohibited from using synthetic cannabis, to include synthetic blends using CBD oil, and other THC substitutes ("spice/K2"), or any other substance similarly designed to mimic the effects of a controlled substance.
So, whether it's synthetic cannabinoids or real ones - the Army says steer clear. We'll be sure to keep you posted as things develop. To stay up to date with important developments in the cannabis industry, be sure to subscribe to one or more of our free email newsletters. Also, connect with The Daily Marijuana Observer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
D/M/O
