Vapouround magazine Issue 06 | Page 64

F E AT U R E “Let’s face it, we can go to the FDA with suits and ties on, accompanied by a professional team of lawyers, and thousands of Vapers with testimonials of being Former Smokers now saved from the art of vape. Yet, the long and the short of it, is that the FDA still will only view us as people who are telling the truth just as much as traditional tobacco cigarette companies were publicly telling the government lies since the 1940s.” properly manufactured eLiquids as well as the appropriate designing of product labels. Every single business owner and everyday Vaper whom I’ve spoken with are unquestionably adamant about all child safety provisions related to any product. However, the FDA is taking things much too far. It is nightmarish for many reasons: for one, these regulations will ruin millions of lives; and two, all the regulations are so unbelievable, they seem like they’re not real. The FDA finally announced their highly anticipated interpretation of how the Vaping Industry should be regulated on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th, 2016). However, with all the efforts of the biggest advocacy groups like, CASAA, SFATA, The American Vaping Association, AEMSA, NotBlowingSmoke, Vaper Technology As sociation, and even some smaller groups, like advocates from the The Vaping Legion, the VapersArmy, and many other pro-Vaping organizations in favor of consumer rights, it still made no difference, as it was certainly easy to detect just how much the FDA would be unwilling to compromise. Let’s face it, we can go to the FDA with suits and ties on, accompanied by a professional team of lawyers, and thousands of Vapers with testimonials of being Former Smokers now saved from the art of vape. Yet, the long and the 64 ISSUE 06 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE short of it, is that the FDA still will only view us as people who are telling the truth just as much as traditional tobacco cigarette companies were publicly telling the government lies since the 1940s. They probably see us as a group of weaker people who must inhale nicotine just to get through the day, when their own personal vices are most likely far more perverse & socially inappropriate. But that’s just my opinion. Regardless, from their regulatory overreach, the FDA estimates that 99.9% of vapor products and small vape-related businesses will drop off the market within the next two years nationwide. That is their honest estimate. Not only is this an overreach of regulating power by the FDA, it is blatantly operating with an alternative motive. These regulations seem far too illogical. Since I am currently a resident of Colorado, I have trouble grasping the concepts being installed by the FDA. They’re illogical to me for many reasons, especially because as a CO resident, I can simply go down the street and legally purchase a highly concentrated 80%+ THC product, but I won’t be able to visit a Vape shop to purchase some flavorful eLiquids containing 0.3% nicotine? Huh? Is that practical?¬ Don’t get me wrong, I love Colorado and I am an avid supporter of the recreational marijuana legislation and I think marijuana should be recreationally legalized nationwide. Yet, as a current participant in consuming THC concentrates, I can tell you that some of those products will get you so high, you’ll be cross-eyed or passed-out! Not that I have an issue with that effect, but what I do have an issue with is that I’ll be allowed to use several devices approved for vaporizing marijuana products, dry herb or concentrate, yet all the nicotine based Vaping devices and juices will be unlawful? All I can say is, WTF? How is that Logical? How is that lawful? I currently get text message alerts about deals and discounts from 4 separate marijuana dispensaries, specifically highlighting their inexpensive concentrates. God forbid if the Vaping Industry ever could reach you via satellite & cell phone tower. Seriously WTF? Why WTF? That’s a simple answer, it has become categorized as a “WTF” situation basically because, well, quite frankly, it makes no sense whatsoever. The only way to better understand these particular issues is by tapping into the capability we all have to access our Sociological Imaginations and continuing to research particular sources of accurate information. The 420 Intel website reports, “Four states have approved the use of recreational marijuana since 2012. The most shining example of the four has to be Colorado, which has generated more than $1 billion in legal marijuana sales (medical and recreational combined) between March. 1, 2015 and Feb. 29, 2016, and produced $135 million in tax and licensing revenue in 2015 that can be used by schools, law enforcement, and drug abuse programs.” Now, given those stats, doesn’t that seem logical? Yeah, it sure does. Why can’t we regulate Vaping in a way where the tax revenue goes towards harm reduction programs, addiction education programs, and charitable foundations? Basically, the Centennial State, one State alone - Colorado, whose statewide