Smoke and Mirrors: How Intoxicating Hemp Seeped Into the First Recreational Marijuana Market in the Country

Colorado's lax regulations allowed intoxicating hemp products to flood its recreational marijuana market, despite being one of the first states to ban such products. Regulators discovered contaminated vapes sold at dispensaries contained a banned toxic chemical, methylene chloride, which can cause cancer and other health problems. The products were found to be derived from hemp, not marijuana, and were created through a process involving toxic solvents that convert CBD into THC. This allowed manufacturers to produce potent, potentially harmful products. Colorado's lack of regulations enabled the sale of these contaminated vapes, raising concerns about public health. The state's regulatory system was criticized for its failure to keep hemp products off shelves.

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