I think the thing that disturbs me most is the progression from state to state. It has all the earmarks of a contraband distribution network. The part that bothers me is that with the amount of product that would be transported, we aren’t seeing enough people dropping. This implies to me that someone has deliberately contaminated “some” of the supply. Having actually once been in high school, if one person in a clique is doing something, they all are. Therefore, there should be several dropping who know each other. This leads to my personal conspiracy theory, not based on anything concrete, that someone wants to take over somebody else’s network and has shattered the reliability of the current controller of the supply. Again, this is a theory based on typical prohibition gangster tactics and lacks any data to support it. (The reason the CDC and the FDA aren’t open about it is because keeping their mouths closed increases the value of their stock holdings.)
Somebody in Michigan started saying to quit vaping it was killing you, apparently they have been buying weed off the street that people made and that is what is hurting people.
Any thoughts?
Legalize and let people grow their own weed. At least they’ll know what’s in their cookies. Stop vaping that stuff 
Finally a somewhat unbiased look at this, where they actually posted the report to their site!
https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-vaping-illness-thc/9216908
Mean while the national news that comes on right after is still fear mongering, calling on congress for a blanket ban. 
I have a spot already picked out to grow my own if they ever legalize it. You can never tell, even in states where it’s legal, what kind of contaminants might have gotten on the plants or in the soil.
I’m thinking there are likely many more unrecognized cases. The homeless, addicts, and disenfranchised are of no concern to the media.
Probably wise not to get “too smug” about how different the DYI Nicotine Vaping communities may seem (to us) in observable characteristics relative to DYI THC/CBDs communities (Draconian and historically idiotic Cannabinoid prohibitions remaining notwithstanding). It occurred to me how similarly these communities may be seen as being situated (when viewed/considered “from the outside” by others different than ourselves).
Sure enough, this Washington Post article seems to indicate that (both) communities are being targeted. “Regulation” of the things that we enjoy might well mean the ability to create e-juices may become limited to government-harangued and taxation-decimated large manufacturers who can manage to “play ball” with the FDA thought-police - with DYI folks every bit as demonized as (so-called) “stoners”. Sobering to consider.
The investigation is “starting to point to what solvents are being used, and that can vary a lot” - especially in counterfeit or black-market products, including potentially mislabeled solvents that consumers buy themselves to make do-it-yourself “home brews,” said an official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is heading the investigation. …
… State health departments are sending samples to the FDA’s forensic laboratory in Cincinnati, where an initial targeted analysis is testing for THC, CBD and nicotine, officials said. The FDA and other labs are also doing more broad-based testing for solvents and possible contaminants to look for any pattern. …
… State and federal officials are hoping to finalize an initial definition of a vaping-related lung injury or illness by week’s end.
Talk about predetermined conclusions/solutions desperately searching for problems yet to be defined ! 
Source: “As vaping-related lung illnesses spike, investigators eye contaminants” (WaPo, August 29, 2019)
Remember, optics (not substance) are everything. This investigation seems to be understood by the FDA to likely turn out to be a fruitless “fishing expedition” - but one worth its weight is “socio-political theatrical gold”, and the specious and corrupt CDC stands ready to disseminate outrageously distorted misinformation and agitprop - something that they have recently excelled at regarding Opioid medications. Truths are irrelevant, and the result of prohibitions are historically invariably far more destructive scenarios, causing great harms.
and for years we thought the diy market wouldn’t be “touched”…
Only takes a few stupid people and here we have it.
If there is a way, they will find it.
They will start with the “solvent” … or they could start with the (in these cases, nic/thc/cbd OILS)…
Regulations are here, its coming…
What can we all do to stop the insanity?
I can’t get over the fact that they’re vaping oils in any way, shape, or form.
It really should be a no brainer… but I guess when all one has is 2 marbles fighting for pole position…
Oil in the hole!!! 
Not sure why this would surprise you. Truthfully there are many many more uneducated vapers than there are of us who take the time to learn what’s safe.
Science Friday will be covering this today on NPR, 2pm in N.FL… Last time vaping was featured on the show, about a year ago, it was very unscientific. The host seems to have a slight bias and was dismissive of the benefits.
I’m interested to see if they mention the street drug likelyhood or just ride the vaping misinformation train.
Edit:
I don’t think it’s going to go well…
The one thing that bugs me is when folks that are ignorant just blame vaping in general and swear because you vape, we are all going to hell if we dont stop. Ran into that kind of situation yesterday and yeah I had to do a lot of corrections in comments, but I dont think it really mattered… (over the collapsed lung issue) while promoting cbd OILS that are thc free (had to snort at that one too!)
I did end my post that I’d be sitting there in the corner, blowing my clouds of vape around… 
Hopeful that at least a few learned more than I can be stubborn on vaping… Educating goes a long way, but only if someone really wants to learn…
Syringes cause heroin deaths - ban them.
A Knife and fork cause food poisoning - ban them.
Glass bottles cause road death - ban them.
Rolled up $100 bills cause cocaine overdose - ban money.
A couple of new headlines I expect to see from the trash journalists at some stage.
Here we go!!!
MDHHS Healthcare Advisory 8-29-2019:
Severe respiratory pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarette/vaping use
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is currently investigating six cases of severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarettes/vaping/dabbing. All cases have been reported in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and most of the individuals have been hospitalized for severe respiratory illness. The age range of the cases is 19-39 years. As of August 27, 2019, 215 possible cases of severe respiratory disease associated with e-cigarette/vaping use have been reported in 25 states. As a result, MDHHS is providing this update to all hospital emergency departments, healthcare providers, hospitals, medical examiners, clinics and EMS providers. MDHHS is also requesting that providers report patients with severe pulmonary disease associated with e-cigarettes/vaping/dabbing, with or without THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), to their Local Public Health Department.
Clinical presentation:
Symptoms experienced by confirmed cases include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and fever. Other reported symptoms include weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In previously reported cases, symptoms generally worsened over a period of days to weeks before hospital admission. Chest radiographs have shown bilateral opacities (often in the lower lobes) and CT images have shown diffuse ground glass opacities. Some cases have improved with systemic steroids; some required endotracheal intubation. Note: a copy of the CDC’s “case classification” criteria is attached, for your information.
Management :
Currently, it is unknown what is causing and contributing to the symptoms. Infectious etiologies should be ruled out, at a minimum by respiratory viral panel and influenza PCR or rapid test information. Further testing may be indicated e.g., urine antigen for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella, sputum cultures if a productive cough, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cultures if done, blood cultures, fungal tests or culture, or HIV-related opportunistic respiratory infection tests, etc. Aggressive supportive care is warranted, and in severe cases, it is recommended that pulmonary and critical care specialists are consulted.
What is being done to prevent this problem? CDC and FDA are working with state partners to investigate all associated cases to determine the etiology of these illnesses.
How can health care providers help with prevention and investigation efforts?
1. Report all patients with severe pulmonary illness associated with use of e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or dabbing devices to the local health department, listed at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73970_5461_74040—,00.html
The following information should be reported: patient’s name, date of birth (if unknown, age), city/town of residence (or county if known), reporting provider’s name, phone number, email.
2. If available, please collect and hold all devices or substances used, including electronic nicotine delivery systems, vaping or dabbing devices and substances/solutions, from the patient so that they can be sent for laboratory testing if requested by public health.
If Local Public Health determines that the devices or substances should be tested, they will contact you and will handle collection and sending of products to the lab.
If you have questions about contacting your local health department, please reach out to your hospital’s Infection Preventionist.
*** This alert is being sent to: Local Public Health, Hospitals, Physicians and Clinics, EMS Roles, Regional Epidemiologists, Medical Examiners, and Regional Healthcare Coalitions ***
Please forward this information to others as applicable.
Thank you,
Michigan Health Alert Network
And a CDC Draft. Both being circulated to emergency response units as well as health care providers.
Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated with E-cigarette Use Outbreak Case Definition (CDC) - August 26, 2019
Confirmed Using an e-cigarette (“vaping”) or dabbing* in 90 days prior to symptom onset AND Pulmonary infiltrate, such as opacities on plain film chest radiograph or ground-glass opacities on chest CT AND Absence of pulmonary infection on initial work-up: Minimum criteria include negative respiratory viral panel, influenza PCR or rapid test if local epidemiology supports testing. All other clinically indicated respiratory ID testing (e.g., urine Antigen for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella, sputum culture if productive cough, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) culture if done, blood culture, HIV-related opportunistic respiratory infections if appropriate) must be negative AND No evidence in medical record of alternative plausible diagnoses (e.g., cardiac, rheumatologic or neoplastic process). Probable Using an e-cigarette (“vaping”) or dabbing* in 90 days prior to symptom onset AND Pulmonary infiltrate, such as opacities on plain film chest radiograph or ground-glass opacities on chest CT AND Infection identified via culture or PCR, but clinical team** believes this is not the sole cause of the underlying respiratory disease process OR Minimum criteria to rule out pulmonary infection not met (testing not performed) and clinical team** believes this is not the sole cause of the underlying respiratory disease process
AND No evidence in medical record of alternative plausible diagnoses (e.g., cardiac, rheumatologic or neoplastic process).
Footnotes * Using an electronic device (e.g., electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS), electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, vaporizer, vape(s), vape pen, dab pen, or other device) or dabbing to inhale substances (e.g., nicotine, marijuana, THC, THC concentrates, CBD, synthetic cannabinoids, flavorings, or other substances). **Clinical team caring for the patient.
Well, I knew I would get good information and discussion about this news…thanks
Interesting information. Can’t manage to find either the Michigan document (on state), or the CDC (draft) criteria on CDC or HHS, sites. Link(s) would be nice, if handy. Did find this CDC Aug 30, 2019 publishing:
