Did PAX Partner With Portland State University?

Vaporization is a popular method of consuming cannabis. However, there is little science-based guidance for consumers, manufacturers, or regulators to evaluate the safety of additives in cannabis concentrates. This paper presents a preliminary framework to conduct such risk assessments, to help manufacturers and regulators without significant toxicological expertise to evaluate the health risks of inhalable cannabis concentrate additives. Ultimately, it aims to increase safety standards across the cannabis industry and, most importantly, reduce consumer risk. This proposed approach leverages New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that avoid the use of animal testing.

“Research limitations have created an environment where clear, actionable guidance doesn’t exist the way we’d like around inhalation safety. We view this paper as a starting point and look forward to continuing to build on it as research and testing capabilities evolve,” said Dr. Echo Rufer, Director of Health Sciences at PAX, PhD, and Diplomate American Board of Toxicology. “We hope that manufacturers and regulators alike can leverage our framework for a data-driven, consistent approach to product formulation and policy making. We’re excited to be partnering across industry and academia, to make this widely accessible to those who don’t readily have access to deep toxicological expertise—in service of the greater cannabis movement.”

At present, 38 states and the District of Columbia permit cannabis in some capacity, for adult use or medical purposes. However, the federal status of the scheduling of cannabis and divergence across state regulations have created challenges for state-licensed cannabis manufacturers. Cannabis oil or extract products for vaporization (i.e., “vape pens”) are one of the fastest growing cannabis segments and often a starting point for new consumers. As the cannabis industry develops, regulators and cannabis manufacturers alike need actionable methods for toxicological risk assessment of inhalable cannabis concentrate additives.

“As researchers, scientists, and experts in this industry, it’s our responsibility to advocate for the consumer and protect their health,” said Dr. Shawna Vreeke, Head of Research & Toxicology at True Terpenes and PhD. “We created and implemented this methodology to review every ingredient that goes into every True Terpenes formulation and wanted to share this research with the community. This framework serves as a first step in giving regulators and manufacturers the guidance and tools they need to assess ingredient safety rooted in scientific data. Our hope is that they will use this information to make product and policy decisions that will ensure consumer safety.”

PAX is a leading global cannabis brand on a mission to enhance people’s lives through exceptional cannabis experiences. PAX’s curated lineup of pure, full-flavor cannabis products and award-winning devices make enjoying cannabis clean, simple and safe. For more than a decade, PAX has created high performance products that deliver enduring quality through innovations in design and technology, and remain trusted by millions of consumers nationwide. PAX believes in creating sustainable opportunity through cannabis.

True Terpenes is the leading innovation platform for terpenes, cannabis sensory, and active ingredient solutions. True Terpenes leverages sensory expertise and advanced analytics to deliver true-to-experience flavors and aromas that empower brands around the world to create differentiated products under the industry’s highest standards for safety and quality.