Health Canada is readying itself to start testing the effects of inhaling substances emitted from cannabis vape products that recently hit legal retail shelves in Canada.

The federal regulator told CBC News that while it already has “research underway” on the effects of nicotine vapes, it plans to expand its “laboratory capability” to include the testing of cannabis vaporizers and related products.

Cannabis vapes went on sale in several provinces this week as part of the federal rollout of second-wave cannabis products, which include topicals, edibles, beverages and extracts, such as those consumed in a vaporizer.

There are two types of cannabis vapes — dry herb and liquid-filled, the latter being the topic of concern for some after a series of users, mostly in the U.S., were hospitalized with pulmonary illness after using the products. Authorities believe the likely cause of the illness is vape additive ingredient vitamin E acetate, which is banned in Canadian vapes.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu recently infuriated cannabis lovers by telling Canadians not to consume the drug. / Photo: Jim Wells / Postmedia Jim Wells / Postmedia

Nonetheless, provinces such as Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have placed a complete prohibition on the sale of cannabis vapes, whereas Nova Scotia has banned those that contain flavouring additives, and B.C. has placed a 20 percent tax on vaping products (although dry herb vapes are now exempt from the additional tax).

Health Minister Patty Hajdu, who recently infuriated cannabis lovers by telling Canadians not to consume the drug, said in a recent statement that vapes and other second-wave products will be sold under “strict rules” in order to “minimize the appeal of these new products to young Canadians, and to decrease the risks of accidental consumption and overconsumption.”

“Cannabis products may be produced only in federally licensed facilities, are subject to standards regarding ingredients, testing and THC limits, and must have plain and child-resistant packaging,” Hajdu continued. “Given the recent cases of vaping-associated lung illnesses, Health Canada requested additional information from licensed processors on the ingredients and product formulation of certain vaping products they intend to sell in Canada’s legal market.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported there have been almost 2,500 reported cases across the country in 2019, including 52 deaths. By comparison, Canada has had only 14 reported cases.

Canadian licensed producers like Canopy Growth, Aphria and Organigram note that they do not test their devices’ emissions, as it is not a government requirement, while HEXO recently said it’s conducting more research before releasing vaping devices.

Last month, Health Canada sent out requests for information on the notices of intent from cannabis license-holders that had applied to sell vape products. / Photo: gorodenkoff / iStock / Getty Images Plus gorodenkoff / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Last month, Health Canada sent out requests for information on the notices of intent from cannabis license-holders that had applied to sell vape products. The regulator found that two producers may have already violated regulations with certain products, although it declined to name the companies.

“The department has had subsequent communications with two licence-holders, where examination of the additional information identified potential non-compliance with regulatory requirements,” department spokesperson Eric Morrissette told CBC News.

“In all these instances, the licensed processor in question has stated that they have chosen to voluntarily not introduce these products to the market at this time,” Morrissette said.

The banned ingredients that may have been found in the offending products were ethyl alcohol and medium chain triglycerides, which come from coconut oil.