Michigan medical marijuana recalled for fourth time as officials encourage independent testing
Medical marijuana products sold at an Ypsilanti provisioning center are being recalled after they failed to meet state testing standards, Michigan officials announced Friday.
It’s the fourth mandatory recall this month from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs of caregiver product sold untested in December, and fifth recall in total. All told, more than 48 pounds of medical marijuana has been recalled in the past two weeks, according to the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation.
Officials allowed provisioning centers to sell untested caregiver products until Dec. 31 to address a medical marijuana shortage in the state as the industry launches. Now that the products are being tested, many are failing to meet state standards. Last week, two recalls were issued that affected multiple strains of marijuana flower sold at shops in Detroit, Kalamazoo and Lansing.
This week, Bureau of Marijuana Regulation Director Andrew Brisbo encouraged patients to seek out independent testing of any medical marijuana products they purchase that are untested. State-licensed labs can be found online at www.michigan.gov/BMR or by calling 517-284-8599.
“The use of untested marijuana products may lead to adverse reactions or worsen existing health conditions and such products are used at a patient’s own risk,” according to a statement from the bureau.
To date, no illnesses from patients consuming untested marijuana have been reported to the bureau. Patients are asked to sign waivers when they purchase untested product from provisioning centers.
Separately, a recall was issued Jan. 4 of five different medical marijuana products from Choice Labs due to a data input error. State officials said they couldn’t tell if the products had been tested, and issued a voluntary recall.
Despite the recalls, regulators have still decided to continue to allow provisioning centers to sell untested medical marijuana grown by caregivers to patients until March 31. The move addresses a continuing medical marijuana shortage, and three lawsuits filed against the state regarding its Dec. 31 licensing crackdown.
“This is the system working properly,” said Rick Thompson, a board member of Michigan NORML and MILegalize. “All the cannabis provided in 2018 was all from caregivers. If we didn’t hear of any illnesses in 2018, then it doesn’t rise to the level of emergency or concern in my mind.”
The Friday, Jan. 18, recall affects several strains of marijuana flower, shatter and a Rick Simpson Oil product sold at Sticky Ypsi at 1090 N. Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti. The products were sold from Dec. 14, 2018, to Jan. 3.
Lab testing revealed the products were contaminated with chemical residue, and some products had residual industrial solvents, yeast and mold. Anyone with the recalled products should return them to the provisioning center for proper disposal.
Here are the specific products affected by the Jan. 18 recall:
Black Cherry Pie Buds
1A4050100000CE5000000364
Failed for chemical residue
Punch Shatter 1g
1A4050100000CE5000000112
Failed for residual solvents
Gorilla Dosha Buds
1A4050100000CE5000000299
Failed for chemical residue
OG 18 Shatter .5g
1A4050100000CE5000000142
Failed for chemical residue
Galactic Meds Polar Bar R.S.O. 1g
1A4050100000CE5000000200
Failed for chemical residue
Purple Kush Buds
1A4050100000CE5000000216
Failed for total yeast and mold and chemical residue
— Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com. Read more from MLive about medical marijuana.
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