Election updates and think pieces dominated the media cycle this week. With this flurry, cannabis consumers might have missed these recalls in recreational states. These bulletins have become commonplace in some markets as regulatory bodies weed out bad actors.
Though some might see an uptick in recalls as regulations failures, it often reflects the opposite. Without checkpoints, many bad actors would continue releasing cannabis to the public that contains pesticides, mold, or other harmful compounds.
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Nevada finds pesticides in pot
The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board issued a public health and safety bulletin early in the week about potential banned pesticides in regulated products. Cannabis flower, shake, trim, pre-rolls, edibles, and concentrates made by Redwood Warehouse, LLC are believed to contain Conserve SC. This insecticide is used to treat thrips, a common cannabis pest, on ornamental lawns and turf.
Anything that the company made with flower harvested between September 2023 and August 2024 should be tossed. The board added that there was no reason to believe the sales or testing entities distributing the products knew about the issue.
Maine continues assault on bad players
Across the country in Maine, the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) continues with an onslaught of health and safety recalls. The latest marks the third in three months. The Soap strain from Leb City Greeneries appears to be compromised. Eighths of one specific batch of the variety sold between October 11th and 24th have tested positive for yeast and mold. The products were sold at four recreational dispensaries in Sanford, Bethel, and Biddeford, Maine.
The first-ever Maine weed recall in September also cited mold and yeast, this time found in three Cannabis Cured pre-roll flavors. Those products were sold at eight stores spread across eight cities. OCP issued another 14-store alert for products that failed bacterial, yeast, and mold testing one month later. In this recall, Frosted Cookies and Frozay pre-rolls, blunts, and pre-ground flower from Nova Farms were called into question.
License revocation in California
A few weeks back the California Department of Cannabis Control revoked the license of a cannabis operator for its inability to prove safe practices. Kinder Understanding Sensitive Healing (K.U.S.H) all-in-one vapes and carts were flagged by the DCC as a potential consumer risk.
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These products are believed to be adulterated and misbranded and go by the names Backpack Boyz, Circles, Cloud, Cure Injoy, DabGo, Everyday, High 90’s, Hollowtips, Mr. Nice Guy, Pow Wow, Supherb, and The Marathon Cultivation. Black Cherry Gelato, Gelatii, Forbidden Fruit, Gelato, Super Lemon Haze, and Pink Runtz were mentioned explicitly in the notice. The bulletin does not list how these products might be adulterated but mentions visiting a doctor in the event of symptoms.
Be smart, ask questions
These days, being a smart cannabis consumer means knowing the cultivation and processing methods of the brands stocking dispensary shelves. While it is not always possible to avoid potential issues or to learn about every aspect of a cultivation operation–it doesn’t hurt to ask. With recalls running from Nevada to Maine, asking a budtender about who grows the cleanest weed is a must.
