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Beginning last fall, our lab observed an increase in online vape shops selling "magic mushroom" products. We want to inform you about two categories in particular.


The first involves products made with Amanita muscaria mushrooms. These mushrooms contain muscimol, a central nervous system depressant that can mimic some effects of classical psychedelics but can be fatal at lower doses than fentanyl, cocaine, and PCP. Despite the risks, vapes, smokes, gummies, and chocolates containing muscimol are marketed with health claims, such as reducing anxiety and depression, often vaguely referencing studies on psilocybin mushrooms. Unlike psilocybin, Amanita muscaria and muscimol are not listed as controlled substances, leading manufacturers to argue their legality. We disagree. More details and our research are available in the UC San Diego feature.


The second concern is products labeled as "magic mushrooms" without disclosing their active ingredients. Notably, Diamond Shruumz, based in Santa Ana, CA, sells gummies, chocolates, and ice cream cones, claiming they contain a proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms. However, they also provide dosing recommendations for a psychedelic experience without specifying the active ingredient. The FDA has issued a consumer warning after 12 individuals sought medical attention and 10 were hospitalized after consuming Diamond Shruumz products. Some experts suspect these products may contain 4-AcO-DMT, a synthetic compound similar to psilocybin, with limited safety data. More information on the ongoing investigation is available on the FDA website.


Please watch for these products, as they are widely sold at tobacco retailers and may pose a growing public health risk.

Greetings,


I recently penned a commentary for Tobacco Control, inspired by the insightful work of the Truth Initiative that also appeared in the Journal. Their thoughtful research into tobacco e-commerce practices that is complimentary our lab has shone a spotlight on the urgent need for regulatory reform by pointing out problems with age-restrictions and troubling marketing tactics on TikTok.

 

The world of online tobacco sales, now a staggering $16.7 billion segment in just the US in 2023, has exposed stark gaps in the enforcement of sales and marketing regulations. With the rapid shift to online platforms, tobacco retailers may exploit these gaps to sidestep policies, particularly flavor sales restrictions, casting risks for public health and age-appropriate sales.

 

The commentary calls for a concerted push toward a regulatory environment with the need to reform ambiguous legalities and lax age verifications. I encourage you to read our commentary, if you would like a better understanding of the state of this market at the start of 2024.

 

Thank you for engaging with our work and for your commitment to this important issue!

 

Best regards,

Eric Leas

Director of The Tobacco E-Commerce Lab

Reporting in the journal Tobacco Control on Nov. 7, 2023, our lab assessed the impact of California's statewide flavor restriction on online shopping behavior among consumers. Comparing observed rates of shopping queries with expected rates, we discovered that shopping queries were 194 percent higher than expected for cigarettes and 162 percent higher than expected for vape products and these increases persisted for weeks after the ban was enacted.

A review of the search results also indicated how easy it was to access products with about 7 percent of websites that came up during searches for cigarettes offering menthol cigarettes and about 40 percent of websites that came up during searches for vaping products offering flavored vaping products


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