Cannabis and Your Health

Public health warning: Stop using vaping products

The Oregon Health Authority is urging Oregonians to stop using all vaping products until federal and state officials have determined the cause of serious lung injuries and deaths linked to the use of both cannabis and nicotine vaping products.

Information from the Public Health Division

The Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division is working to minimize negative public health impacts from cannabis use. Consumers should exercise caution when using any cannabis product. Consumers should consult their health care provider if they intend to use cannabis products for therapeutic or medical purposes.

About Cannabis

Cannabis is a general term that describes products made from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. Oregon Public Health Division uses the term cannabis in most cases, but in some instances the term “marijuana” still appears for legal or historical reasons.

The two primary chemical substances (i.e. cannabinoids) in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC is the principal psychoactive component that causes a “high.”
CBD is often used by people to treat pain or neurologic conditions.

Under Oregon law, marijuana is cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC; hemp is cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC.

Regulation of Cannabis Products

Cannabis products sold at licensed retail shops, including CBD products and medical grade products, are regulated by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC).
Cannabis products sold at medical marijuana dispensaries are regulated by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
CBD hemp products sold at supermarkets, other stores or online are not regulated by OLCC or OHA. These products are considered hemp and are unregulated by the state of Oregon or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are not considered to be food or dietary supplements.