14 Counterfeit Vape Cart Statistics: EVALI, Lab Tests, and Seizures

How common are fake or illicit THC vape carts, and what did testing find inside them? The best national data still comes from the 2019–2020 lung-injury outbreak known as EVALI. CDC counted 2,807 hospitalized cases or deaths, and 78% of patients who used THC products and named a source got them only from informal sellers such as friends, dealers or online. State seizure numbers show the illicit market is still large: California's enforcement task force seized $609 million of illicit cannabis in 2025. These are public-health and enforcement facts, not medical advice. For brand-level checks, see are Rove carts real? and our cannabis vape statistics.

1. CDC counted 2,807 hospitalized EVALI cases or deaths

As of February 18, 2020, 2,807 hospitalized cases or deaths had been reported to CDC from all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. CDC stopped collecting the data after that, once the primary cause had been identified and cases had fallen sharply from a September 2019 peak.

2. 68 deaths were confirmed in 29 states and DC

CDC confirmed 68 deaths. The median age of those who died was 49.5 years, while the median age of all hospitalized patients was 24.

3. 82% of hospitalized patients reported using THC products

Of 2,022 hospitalized patients with substance data, 82% reported using THC-containing products and 33% used THC products only. By comparison, 14% reported using nicotine products only.

4. 78% got THC products only from informal sources

Half of the patients who used THC products said where they got them. Of those, 78% used only informal sources (family or friends, dealers, online or other), 16% used only commercial sources such as dispensaries, vape shops or stores, and 6% used both. Nicotine users were the mirror image: 69% bought only from commercial sources.

5. The outbreak peaked the week of September 15, 2019

That week 217 patients were hospitalized, the most of any week. Cases fell steadily afterward.

6. Vitamin E acetate was in 48 of 51 patients' lung fluid

A CDC study tested lung (bronchoalveolar lavage) fluid from 51 EVALI patients in 16 states and 99 comparison people. Vitamin E acetate turned up in 48 of the 51 patients and in none of the comparison group. CDC calls it "strongly linked" to the outbreak.

7. Most patients' THC products contained vitamin E acetate in FDA testing

FDA tested 545 THC-containing products collected from 70 patients. Among patients who provided at least one THC product, 76% provided at least one containing vitamin E acetate.

8. Every 2019 seized cart Minnesota tested contained vitamin E acetate

In September 2019, Minnesota police seized 75,000 cartridges labeled "Dank Vapes" and "31 Flavors." All 20 the state lab tested contained THC, vitamin E acetate and MCT oil. None of the ten products seized in a 2018 raid, before the outbreak, contained vitamin E acetate (MMWR, Minnesota).

9. NBC's lab found vitamin E in 13 of 15 street carts

NBC News had the CannaSafe lab test 18 THC cartridges. The three bought at licensed California dispensaries showed no heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents. Of the 15 from unlicensed sellers, 13 contained vitamin E.

10. All 10 street carts tested for pesticides had myclobutanil

In the same NBC testing, every one of the 10 unlicensed carts screened for pesticides contained myclobutanil, a fungicide that can turn into hydrogen cyanide when burned.

11. "Dank Vapes" was reported by 56% of patients who named a brand

Among 482 hospitalized patients who named the THC products they used, Dank Vapes was the most common at 56%. CDC describes Dank Vapes as "a class of largely counterfeit THC-containing products of unknown origin." Patients named 152 different products in all.

The report doesn't say whether the TKO, Smart Cart or Rove products patients used were genuine or counterfeit, and CDC concluded that no single brand was likely responsible. Licensed brands do get copied: Rove's FAQ warns about fake Rove carts and tells buyers to verify packaging with a QR code.

12. In Minnesota, 91% of interviewed patients used illicit THC products

53 of 58 interviewed Minnesota patients (91%) said they used illicit THC products from informal sources in the three months before they got sick, and 39 (67%) reported using Dank Vapes.

13. One 2025 California sweep seized 6,121 pounds of illegal vape carts

California's Department of Cannabis Control said its July 17 to August 7, 2025 operations seized 19,324 pounds of illegal cannabis, including 6,121 pounds of vape cartridges, worth over $29.9 million. Ten of the targets were dispensaries operating outside the licensed market.

14. California seized $609 million of illicit cannabis in 2025

The state's Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce ran 48 operations in 23 counties in 2025 and seized $609 million of illicit cannabis, 18 times the 2022 figure. Since 2022 the total tops $1.2 billion and 757,000 pounds.

Source: Governor of California, Jan 27, 2026. These totals cover all illicit cannabis, not only carts.

How common are fake THC carts?

There's no national count of counterfeit carts. The clearest signal is CDC's EVALI data: 78% of THC-using patients who named a source bought only from informal sellers, and the most-reported product, Dank Vapes, is described by CDC as largely counterfeit.

What was found in illicit vape carts?

Vitamin E acetate above all. It was in 48 of 51 patients' lung fluid, in every 2019 seized cart Minnesota tested, and in 13 of 15 street carts NBC had tested. NBC's testing also found the fungicide myclobutanil in all 10 street carts screened for pesticides.

Are dispensary carts safer than street carts?

In NBC's small test, the three licensed-dispensary carts had no heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents, while most street carts contained vitamin E. CDC recommends avoiding THC vaping products, especially from informal sources. Licensed products carry state testing results; check the batch certificate of analysis.

How do I tell if a cart is fake?

Buy only from a state-licensed dispensary or delivery service, check for tamper-evident seals and crisp printing, and scan any authentication QR code on the box. See our Rove fake-cart guide for a brand example.