Keynote Presentation: Cannabis Concentrate Vaping and Dabbing Chemistry w/ Live Q&A

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis, concentrates have become one of the most rapidly expanding segments of the U.S. cannabis market. However, research into the specific health risks of vaping these products has significantly lagged their widespread use. Studying cannabis concentrate vaping poses distinct technical challenges that differ from those associated with electronic nicotine delivery systems. Emissions from vaping concentrates contain concerning aerosol toxicants. Moreover, some concentrate vape formulations have been found to contain toxic additives such as pine rosin and ketene precursors such as cannabinoid acetates. We have determined that, as with nicotine vaping, the presence of oxygen plays a critical role in driving the formation of many aerosol chemical degradation products during vaping. This presentation will focus on our findings concerning toxicant emission production and potential mitigation, along with strategies to address the technical challenges involving studying cannabis concentrates. The goal is to present evidence-based data as a foundation for future investigations aimed at optimizing harm reduction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how cannabinoid and terpene chemistry is relevant to vaping

2. Discuss why aerosol emissions differ in composition from the pre-vaped compositions

3. Explain the main technical challenges and strategies involving profiling aerosol emissions