Urgent European Warning

Article from Planet of the Vapes
Urgent European Warning | Planet of the Vapes

The newly launched European Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (ETHRA) has issued a warning about liquids being launched across Europe. An American company is exporting CBD liquids containing vitamin E acetate and Coconut Oil to Poland for distribution to stockists across the continent. These constituents have been directly linked to the rash of lung issues in America.
Kannaway appears to be a company based in Poland but operates through “Brand Ambassadors”. In reality, it is an American operation that has not cloaked itself in glory since inception.

‘Hemp Vape Calm’ is listed on the company’s website: “Use as needed by drawing vapour from the mouthpiece. Hemp+ Vape can be used with most standard 510 thread vape batteries.”



Worryingly, it lists its ingredients as, “MCT coconut oil, Cannabidiol (200mg/ 1ml), mango aroma, vitamin E, vitamin D3, linalool, D-limonene, nerolidol”.

Vitamin E acetate, known officially as tocopheryl acetate, is the component named as causing the flush of lipoid pneumonia cases in the United States. It is a common vitamin supplement with the molecular formula C₃₁H₅₂O₃, the ester of acetic acid and tocopherol. It is often used in dermatological products such as skin creams – but because it is a lipid it should never be inhaled.

Kannaway hides its details from a Who Is search, and superficial investigation reveals little more than “a direct marketing company to offer cannabis products to consumers and continues to be an industry leader in the hemp and CBD markets.”



This has prompted many to dig deeper.

Bare Naked Scam reports that “it sells one of the most expensive CBD oil on the market” [link]. Online Scams Exposed are none too complimentary either [link], while Scam Avenger states the liquids have received “no independent [certified] lab tests” [link].

Further investigation reveals the company behind Kannaway is the American Medical Marijuana Inc. – another organisation that has muddied its reputation: “Michael Llamas was the initial CEO of MMI; he stepped down in 2012 when he was indicted for his role in a real estate Ponzi scheme.”

“The company operated at a loss for 2011 and 2012, and made money for the first time in 2013 on the basis of a single contract signed by one of its subsidiaries. In 2013, MMI and CannaVEST, an exchange-traded fund, each invested in a company called Kannalife Sciences Inc. Kannalife had been founded in 2010 by Dean Petkanas, former Director of Corporate Finance of Stratton Oakmont, the penny-stock trading company depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street.”

“In 2014, MMI reported that it was under investigation by the SEC; the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority warned investors that year about penny stock scams in the marijuana industry. In 2015 a report in Forbes laid out relationships among CannaVEST, money taken in by the real estate Ponzi scheme run by Llamas, Stuart Titus and the private equity firm General Hemp that he ran, and one of MMI's subsidiaries called PhytoSphere.” [link]



Planet of the Vapes contacted Kannaway with a number of questions. The company refused to respond to any point, in broken English, but offered to do a great deal on an order.

ETHRA warned: “It has come to our attention that there are some THC or CBD liquids and cartridges being sold online which contain potentially harmful ingredients. Liquids comprising oils (from any source) or vitamin E acetate are potentially harmful with even short-term use and may cause life-threatening or life-changing conditions.”

“CBD to be vaped is a growing market and not illegal in most jurisdictions. Responsible sellers will place toxicology reports on their website to show that no pesticides have been involved in production and that the liquids are not oil-based. The THC content should be as close to zero as possible and not exceed 0.02%. If a seller cannot or will not provide this information, do not buy from them.”

The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) commented: “The guidance we give our members is to make sure they only source legal, non-nicotine containing products from reputable suppliers who they know and trust, who can assure that their products do not contain lipids, are suitable for inhalation, and to see evidence of these assurances.”

Related:

• ETHRA warning – [link]
• IBVTA – [link]
• Australian Tobacco Harm Reduction Association – [link]