Outside of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals, legal cannabis products are some of the most tested and regulated products American consumers can buy. So why do current state standards allow for the presence of lead in heavy metals tests, particularly in vape cartridges? Industry pioneers, such as High End Dabzation located in Phoenix, Arizona insists that as an industry we must do better. The legal and regulated cannabis industry must take responsibility for informing customers about the safety of vape products, and it is paramount for us the manufacturer and distributor to deliver healthy and safe vaporization products. To be clear, the issue is not with the distillate within the vape cartridge. But, in the testing of the distillate, lead can be found because many vape cartridges contain structural metal that can leach lead into the distillate when heated. California has already created a stringent regulatory standard for heavy metals, but we at High End Dabzation are setting the standard in Arizona when it comes to cartridges with no detectable level of lead or other harmful heavy metals, in fact we were amongst the first to produce a lead free cartridge when the Vapegate first occurred. High End Dabzation, as a supplier to the cannabis industry, encourages the adoption of a simple standard that no level of lead in cartridges is acceptable. Our lead-free vape cartridges are distributed throughout the entire USA and have zero detectable levels of lead in manufactured components or the oil inside the cartridges, plus we have designed our full ceramic cartridges to feature that absolute lowest amount of heavy metals out of any cartridge on the market and are nearly metal free producing some of the cleanest and most flavorful rips you as a consumer can produce. Since cannabis is not yet federally regulated, it’s up to consumers to demand more dependable regulation at the state level. We believe a lead-free standard will benefit consumers and the industry. A unanimous scientific consensus exists – supported by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control – that there is no safe level of exposure to lead, and the harmful heavy metal is outlawed in most common consumer products such as paint. Nicotine e-cigarettes commonly test positive for heavy metals and, apart from printed warnings, and are accepted as legal for adults by the Food & Drug Administration. Heavy metals such as arsenic and lead are also beginning to be seen in e-cigarette devices, through not necessarily cannabis ones. A 2018 study on non-cannabis vape cartridges found that heavy metals, including lead, originated from the e-cigarette’s heating coils. These same coils, used by a cartridge battery to heat the nicotine oil, are the same ones used in many cannabis vape cartridges. Basically, any amount of lead is bad for human health, but some exposure unavoidable. Lead is in the rain, in the soil, in food, and electronics. Lead contamination can also be passed on through cross-contamination. The unique properties of lead mean that it continues to be used because of its malleability, poor conductibility and resistance to corrosion. Plus, it’s cheap compared to other metals. With any luck, more public attention will raise awareness and standards for testing. For now, to avoid lead contamination, it’s best to stay away from vape cartridges containing metal parts. If you aim to buy lead-free, know exactly what you’re buying and who you’re buying from. The only certifiably lead-free vape cartridges are going to be 100% ceramic, containing no plastic or metallic parts. If you’re buying vape cartridges from your local recreational or medical shop and you don’t see product info stating “lead/heavy metal-free” and “100% ceramic”, you’re not buying lead-free. All High End Dabzation cartridges feature completely transparent lab testing reports that are found on each product detail page and we are constantly looking for way to improve performance and safety of each of our vape cartridges that we produce.