LANSING – Vitamin E acetate would be banned from vaping products for marijuana, medical marijuana, and nicotine under a three-bill package pending before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee.

HB 5159, HB 5160 and HB 5161 by Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn), Rep. Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park) and Rep. Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe) would ban the chemical, but only in products intended for inhalation.

 “The FDA and CDC most recently have tied vitamin E acetate to the significant health issues and fatalities we have witnessed across the country. In fact, the CDC examined 29 patients who had vaping-related lung injuries, finding that vitamin E acetate was present in all 29 of its samples,” Hammoud said.

Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain) contended that the problem has been known for a long time in the vaping industry. When vitamin E acetate is added to nicotine, it is done to liquefy the mixture. But vitamin E acetate solidifies in the lungs, LaFave said. 

Andrew Brisbo, director of the Marijuana Regulatory Agency, said he has worked with the sponsors, first to increase the penalties for adding the substance to fines up to $10,000. That level of penalty is reserved for acts that are deliberate and pose a serious health threat. He contended that adding the substance could not be done by accident.

This legislative update was provided by Small Business Association of Michigan