Two people have vaping illnesses in Minnesota medical cannabis program, unclear if vaping sole cause

October 10, 2019
AggregatedNews
Minnesota, News & Insights, Vaping Crisis
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The Minnesota Health Department confirmed, for 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, that there are now two confirmed/probable cases of people with respiratory illnesses in the state’s medical cannabis program.

In an e-mail, a Health Department spokesperson said “Of Minnesota’s 61 cases listed as confirmed/probable, two are enrolled in the medical cannabis program. Both cases also reported vaping illegal THC products.”

The Health Department statement also said, “Of the 34 cases under review, we are currently aware of three who are patients in the medical cannabis program. However, we still need to get more information about those reports and they may, or may not, end up as part of the outbreak.”

State Senator, Michelle Benson, (R) Ham Lake, chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, she told KSTP this is the first time, that she knows of, the state has acknowledged there are people in the cannabis program who have become ill with respiratory issues.

Minnesota man says he’s sick from vaping

“I do not think It is necessarily a cause for concern, but it is very significant and I am glad to get this information,” said Benson. “It is premature to discuss ending, or suspending, the cannabis program until we get more scientific information, but certainly we need to proceed with caution and make sure patients have the best information possible.” [Read more @ KSTP.com]