Study of the composition of CBD e-liquids sold in Europe
The reason for the damage to the lungs was the use of vitamin E acetate in e-cigarettes . At the end of 2019, deaths related to the use of e-cigarettes containing cannabidiol were reported to the EU media, in particular in Belgium. In view of the above, a study has been initiated to determine the presence of vitamin E acetate, as well as other harmful substances that may be found in CBD e-liquids sold in Europe. 
To assess the amount of cannabidiol (CBD) and to find out if various kinds of undesirable impurities are present in the products, e-liquids produced in Europe, which contain the aforementioned drug-free cannabinoid, were analyzed.
During the experiment, 15 samples of various brands of e-liquids containing CBD were collected and analyzed. The products were purchased anonymously from tobacco shops, brick-and-mortar stores and the Internet. These CBD e-liquids were then analyzed in two world-renowned laboratories in accordance with two different methodologies established by the researchers in order to obtain complete information about the content of the samples and the substances of which they are composed. The study looked for traces of unwanted substances in CBD e-liquids analyzed by gas chromatography or a mass detector.
In addition to CBD, e-liquids have been found to contain:
- Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was identified in all samples (the presence of THC in all samples means that depending on the amount consumed, drug tests will give positive results;
- cannabidivarin - in 12 samples;
- 12 out of 15 samples contained terpenes. The most common were beta-caryophyllene, which was found in 10 out of 15 samples, limonene in 8 samples, and
beta myrcene and farnesene in 7 samples;
- 14 out of 15 samples showed the presence of propylene glycol and glycerin, which are usually the backbone of CBD e-liquids. In the last sample, none of the above substances were detected. It identified squalane and glycerol tricaprylate, as well as vitamin E acetate ;
- One sample showed the presence of benzyl alcohol, which can cause coughing, dizziness and headache.
14 out of 15 samples showed cannabidiol values lower than those stated on the label. Only 4 samples showed values less than 10% lower than stated. On average, CBD was 27% lower than labeled concentrations.
Commentary of the specialists of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"
In February 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, together with the FDA and other government agencies working in the US public health field, published a report “On the negative effects of electronic cigarettes,” based on the analysis of the relevant array of collected data. It was found that due to health problems that arose in connection with the use of electronic cigarettes, 2,800 patients were hospitalized, 68 of whom died. The reason for the damage to the lungs was the use of vitamin E acetate in e-cigarettes . At the end of 2019, deaths related to the use of e-cigarettes containing cannabidiol were reported to the EU media, in particular in Belgium. In view of the above, a study has been initiated to determine the presence of vitamin E acetate, as well as other harmful substances that may be found in CBD e-liquids sold in Europe.
National experts have developed methods according to which electronic cigarettes can be refueled not with propylene glycol or glycerin, but with an organomineral complex based on humic substances containing therapeutic hemp flowers with a high content of plant cannabidiol contained in the Mriya variety. The studies carried out (unfortunately, outside the territory of our country) have shown a significant therapeutic effect provided during the use of electronic cigarettes, which are filled with this therapeutic drug. To our great regret, due to the impossibility at the moment of its legal use on the territory of our country, most likely the created technology for the Ukrainian therapeutic hemp variety will be sold to a foreign customer who is conducting intensive negotiations on this matter.