State crack down brings slurry of cannabis recalls, shutdown
Cannabis legalization is unique in every state. That is why the first few years play out differently everywhere. There are highly regulated states like Washington and those with fewer rules, like Oklahoma. Currently, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) is reeling against the formerly open enterprise medical market in a slurry of recalls, shutdowns, and plant seizures.
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“In order to achieve a well-regulated market that provides patients with access to safe cannabis products, we will continue shutting down bad actors one county at a time,” OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry said in a press release. “From dispensaries to processors to growers, we won’t stop until the only cannabis businesses standing are compliant and law-abiding. We appreciate our law enforcement partners for assisting our efforts.”
The Sooner State legalized medical weed in 2018 without setting any license caps. Shops and farms popped up everywhere. HB 3208 started a moratorium on dispensary, cultivation, and processor licenses until 2022. This was extended until 2026 by HB 2095. These bills kicked off a campaign against unregulated cannabis that continues today.
Days after 4/20, the OMMA and law enforcement conducted a three-day “special emphasis assignment” to locate, close, and cite non-compliant dispensaries. The agents conducted 15 regulatory inspections in Muskogee County, working alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Oklahoma General Attorney’s Office, and local law enforcement. Operations that were already suspected of administrative and criminal offenses were targeted.
The campaign resulted in significant seizures and five Emergency Orders of Suspension, over $200k in cash, and six firearms. It also signaled the start of a continued offense against bad actors in the state.
Oklahoma cannabis recalls, shutdown hits Graves Farm
This cannabis producer and processor is no stranger to controversy. Its last few months have been fraught.
The state recalled four Graves Farm products in late June due to pesticides. The Orange Push Pop Crumble failed for a banned mosquito spray, while three other extracts popped positive for an anti-mite spray.
Local consumers were not surprised.
One Reddit member of the OKmarijuana Reddit community posted about the recall, “Looks like Graves Farm is having ANOTHER *I know graves is trash shame on all the processors that used their flower to make their product knowing their reputation.”
Graves Farm is back in the headlines after receiving an Emergency Order of Summary Suspension and Embargo following an OMMA inspection. The regulatory agency discovered unsafe and unsanitary workspace conditions where medical cannabis products were handled.
Unlabeled, untraceable products were also found. OMMA asserts the company has been increasing product batches with untested units after lab results come back clean. This would allow a brand to put dirty products into the market under the guise of a lab-tested batch.
“There is no room in Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program for operators who disregard the law and endanger public health and safety. Regulations are in place for a reason – when operators cut corners, patients suffer,” said Berry in a press release about the incident.
It is a good thing OMMA is hitting the streets looking for dirty weed because a recent study revealed mold and yeast in 93 percent of pre-rolled joints tested.
Testing lab finds mold and yeast in pre-rolls
An open market has its benefits, but one issue is that it often outgrows the ability to regulate. This leads to products that contain pesticides or other unhealthy compounds that shouldn’t be burned and inhaled.
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Cannabis lab Harvard Industries tested 15 pre-rolls from three Oklahoma dispensaries. The resulting study showed that OMMA still has a lot of work to do to eradicate unsafe products from the medical market.
“We found that 14 of the 15 samples did fail for mold and yeast and exceeded the upper limit on average of 23% over the limit for flower samples. The one sample that passed tested at 57% of the limit,” the study read.
Study authors and most others reading that quote recommend asking for test results before purchasing products in the state. If the certificate of analysis from the lab does not have a microbial test, pass on that product.
Shopping in a new industry has its hurdles, and they may be more bountiful in Oklahoma. Being a mindful consumer is always vital, but as the Sooner State has a regulatory reckoning, do not consume a cannabis product that doesn’t have lab results.
