High-flying marijuana vapes take hit from health scare

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Vaping products are taking a hit as health experts scramble to determine what’s causing a mysterious lung disease.

More than 500 people have gotten ill, and nine have died after smoking vapes.

Vaping products have been one of the fastest-growing segments of the United States’ legal marijuana industry. But the scare caused a 15% decline in market share for vapes.

Industry analyst firm New Frontier Data says states like Oregon and New Mexico saw more than a 60% drop in vape market share.

Experts say the crisis won’t stop marijuana legalization but will mean tighter regulation overall.

Public health officials haven’t pinpointed any one substance or product that’s to blame.

Many patients say they used vapes containing marijuana oil, but some patients say they smoked nicotine-only vapes.

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Flaccus and Peltz, who reported from New York City, are members of AP’s marijuana beat team. Follow the AP’s complete marijuana coverage: https://apnews.com/Marijuana .