Understanding A “Temporary” Vaping Ban

Prohibition is a tough pill to swallow. When a regulatory framework advances to the point that a certain type of behavior or product must be prohibited, the outcomes almost always fail.

The temperance movements in the United States and the prohibition of alcohol during the early twentieth century provides a blueprint to how paternal policy amplifies the law of unintended consequences.

During the push to prohibit substance abuse during the earlier years of the last century, the politics of prohibition amplified prejudices against many marginalized communities. This also is the case for the broader population that drank alcohol for the sake of community or to cope with the hardships of the time.

Modern-day prohibitions against drug use are no different in developing similar issues. Currently, we are in the midst of a regulatory trend that directly harms the survival of businesses and people from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds.

Oregon joins the pack

Oregon is the latest state in the United States to ban the sale of all flavored vaping products through executive action. Joining the ranks of governors from Michigan, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Rhode Island, Gov. Kate Brown announced the flavor ban citing the usual suspects: vaping-related illnesses and a teen use epidemic.

Oregon is one of 48 states to be inflicted by several cases related to a rash of vaping-related lung injuries. By current counts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) own data shows that the total number of cases has exceeded 1,000, with roughly 18 deaths. CDC suggests that 4 out of 5 of every case, among the entire population, have been tied to illicit and regulated but contaminated THC vaping with nicotine or only cannabis-derived liquids.

In Oregon alone, the Oregon Health Authority reports that about 8 cases and at least 2 deaths. Not to mention, Brown found that the rate of use of e-cigarettes among youth was alarming to her administration.

Sourced from: www.vapingpost.com

It’s hard to imagine that anything good might come from the nationwide panic over vaping that has left hundreds of cannabis oil vapers hospitalized with damaged lungs and led to bans across the country