Washington state marijuana vaping lawsuit dismissed

Just Released! Get realistic market forecasts, state-by-state insights and benchmarks with the new 2024 MJBiz Factbook member program, now with quarterly updates. Make informed decisions.


A state judge dismissed a lawsuit against Everett, Washington-based marijuana vaporizer company Canna Brand Solutions for allegedly causing a vaping-related lung illness.

Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Schwartz wrote in his ruling that the claims “shall be voluntarily dismissed without prejudice and without costs or fees to any of the parties to this litigation.”

Charles Wilcoxen, a Puyallup Tribal Police officer, sued six cannabis companies in Washington state in September 2019, claiming marijuana vape products caused him to contract lipoid pneumonia.

Wilcoxen alleged the vaporizer that made him sick was made by CCell, a Chinese corporation, and distributed by Canna Brand.

“We stand by our … CCell vaporization products,” Daniel Allen, founder and president of Canna Brand, said in a statement, adding he felt “vindicated” by the judge’s decision.