By Joe Johnson
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is warning citizens to use caution when purchasing vape cartridges as they may be tainted with THC and other chemicals.
The warning comes on the heels of reports on the health-hazards of vaping issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies.
The Georgia Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the first vaping-related death in the state:
“The patient had a history of heavy nicotine vaping, but no reported history of vaping THC. DPH has identified nine cases, including the death, of vaping-associated illness in Georgia, and other possible cases are being reviewed. All patients were hospitalized and developed pneumonia with no known infectious cause. Cases range in age from 18 to 68 years.”
Earlier this week, Athens police investigators executed a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of approximately 2,370 fake THC vape cartridges.
“These homemade vape cartridges are identical to those produced by a California company where THC is legal,” police said in a media release. “When the offender was assembling the homemade cartridges, several other chemicals were added which carry additional health concerns.”
THC is the chemical found in marijuana that produces the “high” users experience.
In a different investigation in July, police made a large drug seizure that included 275 vape cartridges containing THC