Back in 2019, an American coroner ruled in his report that a 39-year-old woman died from a cannabis overdose. Despite experts collectively stating this was not possible, we thought it was time to revisit this headline.
So, what exactly happened?
What Happened?
Right, going back to a time when no one had thought of COVID, there was an incident in Louisiana, USA, where a coroner declared that someone had overdosed on cannabis.
Coroner Dr Christy Montegut reported there was no other possible cause of death that he could find in the autopsy of the unnamed woman, who died in February this year after vaping THC oil.
There were no traces of any other drugs in the victim’s system or alcohol, and there was no physical disease.
“It looked like it was all THC because her autopsy showed no physical disease or afflictions that were the cause of death,” Dr Montegut told the New Orleans Advocate newspaper. “There was nothing else identified in the toxicology – no other drugs, no alcohol. There was nothing else.”
Montegut has been a coroner since 1988. He said this case could make medical record books, as no one has ever listed THC as the sole cause of death before.
“I’m thinking this lady must have vaped this THC oil and got a high level in her system, and it made her stop breathing, like a respiratory failure,” he said.
According to a toxicology report, the woman had 8.4 nanograms per millilitre of blood. Montegut said it probably came from vaping high-concentration THC oil.
But What Did The Cannabis Experts Say?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Center for Biotechnology Information maintain that there are no known cases of fatal overdose from cannabis use alone in medical literature.
Which means, scientists and policy-makers alike called bull on the idea that THC could have killed her.
A review published on the NCBI Bookshelf (part of the NIH) mentions,
“In humans, there have been no recorded instances of fatal overdoses resulting from acute THC use”. The median lethal dose (LD50) of THC in animals is high, and estimates for a potentially lethal human dose range from 4 to 15 grams, which is an amount difficult to consume in a short period.
Experts estimated that a person would need to smoke more than 20,000 joints to reach even a potentially toxic THC level.
Addiction scientist Professor Bernard Le Foll at the University of Toronto estimates that a lethal dose would likely be between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the THC concentration found in this woman’s blood.
Just 8.4 nanograms should not have killed her.
So, if it wasn’t a cannabis overdose, what happened?
Other Suspects
As we mentioned before, a lot has happened since 2019. There have been other incidents that could potentially have been the culprit.
A general spoiler for the stories below is a simple one: “Don’t buy your vape carts from a maverick cowboy; get the real stuff!”
EVALI Outbreak (2019)
In 2019, the United States experienced a nationwide health crisis now known as EVALI, which was an e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury. More than 2,800 people were hospitalized, and 68 deaths were confirmed before the outbreak subsided. Although many early reports speculated about cannabis or THC itself being dangerous, the evidence very quickly pointed elsewhere.
Public health investigations by the CDC, FDA, and state laboratories identified a clear pattern:
Most of the affected patients had used illicit THC vape cartridges, particularly those bought from informal or unregulated sources. These cartridges commonly contained Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent added to dilute or stretch THC oil to increase profit margins.
When inhaled, Vitamin E acetate can be highly irritating to lung tissue, disrupting normal gas exchange and causing sudden, severe inflammation. This led to symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, a persistent cough, fever, and oxygen deprivation.
Importantly, the harm was caused by the contaminant, not by THC itself. Natural cannabis and regulated THC vape products without Vitamin E acetate were not implicated.
The EVALI outbreak remains a key example of why regulation, transparent ingredient lists, and proper product testing are essential in the cannabis vaping market.
Pediatric Cases
We’ve mentioned that it is strictly illegal for minors to have access to THC. If a minor does find and ingest THC, as the product’s owner, you can face paying a fine or jail time.
However, there are documented reports of severe adverse events in young children after large, accidental THC ingestions – including episodes of cardiac arrest (asystole), apnea, and respiratory depression.
While these events are considered rare, they are usually non-fatal. Also, they are distinctly different from adult cases of asystole/cardiac arrest, due in part to the fact that other risk factors or substances were involved.
Here’s a clearer, expanded version with shorter sentences:
Contaminated Products
A 2025 case study reported the death of a woman who consumed homemade vape juice. The mixture was contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic alcohol. Even small amounts of methanol can cause organ failure, blindness, or death.
This case was a clear example of how dangerous unregulated or DIY cannabis products can be. Without proper testing, there is no way to know what’s actually in the liquid. Illicit mixtures can contain industrial solvents, household chemicals, or unexpected additives.
The incident also highlights a key point: the harm came from the contaminant, not from THC or cannabis itself.
Products made outside regulated supply chains, especially homemade vape liquids, carry serious and often hidden risks.
Should You Be Worried About Cannabis Use?
We’re going to say no.
However, sometimes a case is reported, or a coroner makes a ruling linking deaths to the presence of THC, such as a 2017 case of an 11-month-old boy who died with THC in his system.
BUT, these cases often highlight correlation rather than direct causation, with other factors (like pre-existing health conditions or other substance use) making a pure THC overdose ruling questionable to the broader medical community.
So, for those looking to avoid being a case study, here are some tips.
How Not to Become a Cannabis Case Study
We can make a massive assumption that nobody wakes up in the morning thinking,
“Yup, today’s the day I make medical history and pass away from a cannabis overdose.”
So, to keep your name out of the headlines and medical journals, here’s your official Zootly Guide to Not Becoming a Cannabis Case Study.
Buy Real Weed From Real Stores
We cannot stress how important it is to buy products that are completely honest about their origins. If your “dealer” is selling gummies out of a Tupperware that smells like petrol… walk away.
Proper dispensaries test their products and label them. Also, don’t buy a product with a million and one mystery sauce additives like “vitamin E acetate”, “essential oils”, or “whatever was in the cupboard.”
Also, a good indicator you’re in for a raw deal is if the price seems too good to be true. As it probably comes with a plot twist.
Don’t Turn Your Kitchen Into a Breaking Bad Spin-Off
We’ve all seen those DIY vape juice videos, and we’re going to say, “NO!”
While we understand that economic times are tough, but DIYing formulas in your kitchen is literally a recipe for disaster.
You’re not a chemist. You’re a stoner with WiFi.
Leave the infusions to professionals who own more than one measuring spoon.
Respect the Edible. It Fights Back Slowly
Edibles take time to work. Always allow yourself up to 90 minutes to be safe.
Also, just an FYI, you cannot uneat an edible. Which means if you’ve been shoving in those treats, you might regret your life choices.
When enjoying edibles, make sure to:
- Take a small dose.
- Wait 90 minutes.
- Reassess your life choices.
Don’t be the person who goes from “I don’t feel anything” to “I can hear colours.”
Lock Up Your Stash If You Have a Kid
Little humans are fast, sneaky, and drawn to colourful packaging like moths to a flame.
Don’t allow for accidental THC ingestion. It could require an ER visit, as well as your name in the headlines for failing to be an adult.
Keep your gummies higher than your standards.
Skip the “Mystery Pen From a Friend”
If your friend says, “Try this, I don’t know what’s in it,” congratulations! You’ve been offered a chemistry experiment.
Unregulated carts can contain:
- Industrial solvents
- Methanol (no thanks)
- Oils that turn your lungs into a CSI episode
If it doesn’t come sealed and labelled, your lungs don’t need it.
Don’t Mix Weed With… Everything Else
Alcohol, prescription meds, random pills from a rave bunny…
This is how you go from “fun night” to “paramedics asking questions.”
Keep your session simple.
And just like that, you are going to avoid being that weird medical case. Also, all our products are tested, tested again, and are examined in medical facilities.
