The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) wants tighter regulations to prevent consumers from using marijuana-flavored electronic cigarettes or vapes.
The agency also warned the public against the proliferation of vapes with marijuana oil in the market.
On Friday, combined operatives of the PDEA Special Enforcement Service, Regional Office-National Capital Region-Southern District Office and Investigation Service, in collaboration with the Taguig City police, conducted separate anti-drug operations in Taguig City.
This led to the arrest of two drug personalities and the seizure of cannabis oil and marijuana kush, and assorted vaping devices with an estimated total value of P842,000.
Last week, the PDEA and the Bureau of Customs also intercepted 18 “balikbayan” boxes containing cannabis oil and marijuana kush hidden inside e-cigarettes worth P337 million at the Port Area, Manila.
The selling and smuggling of marijuana oil cartridges indicates there is a growing domestic demand for these products, the agency said.
Considering that the vaping culture is predominantly popular among the youth, the PDEA is wary that these cannabis extracts can passed off as a legitimate vape aerosol in the market and sold to the younger patrons.
The PDEA warned the public not to patronize marijuana-laced e-cigarettes because of the health hazards involved, and most importantly the prohibition of the law, saying the surge of such illicit items can also expose unknowing customers to being addicted to marijuana.
“PDEA is currently tightening its monitoring capabilities in the detection of physical and online vape shops selling cannabis flavored e-cigarettes and other related paraphernalia,” it said in a statement.
The agency is also seeking the support and cooperation of the country’s regulating bodies to formulate tighter measures against vape stores, alongside retailers and importers, to prevent consumers from using prohibited substances.