Evidence That Metal Particles in Cannabis Vape Liquids Limit Measurement Reproducibility
Zuzana Gajdosechova, Joshua Marleau-Gillette, Matthew J. Turnbull, Duane C. Petts, Simon E. Jackson, Ashley Cabecinha, Hanan Abramovici, Andrew Waye, Jeremy E. Melanson
Abstract
) was measured in legal samples. Significant differences in metal mass fractions were observed in the legal cannabis vape liquid taken from two identical devices, even though the liquid was from the same lot of the same cannabis product. Metal particles in the vape liquids were observed by scanning electron microscopy, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry confirmed the presence of copper-, zinc-, lead-, and manganese-bearing particles, metals that are in common alloys that may be used to make vape devices. Colocalized particles containing aluminum, silica, and sodium were also detected. These results suggest that metal particles could be a contributing factor to poor measurement precision and for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, provide evidence of metal particles in cannabis vape liquids contained in unused cannabis vape pens.