Cannabis Testing Headlines from April
Cannabis Testing Headlines from Eye on Cannabis’ Testing Reporting
Federal
- The Federal Trade Commission Warned Almost 700 Companies That They Could Face Civil Penalties if They Can’t Back Up Their Product Claims. Mentioned specifically in the press release from the FTC is the fact that ‘if a company makes a claim about the health or safety benefits of a product, that claim must be based on scientific evidence.’ While the release states, ‘the prospect of steep civil penalties will help ensure that advertisers don’t play fast and loose with the truth,’ it’s a reminder that it’s illegal to intentionally misrepresent or mislabel a product.
- One more time: The SAFE Banking Bill is back and is teeing up for a ninth vote. Maybe they just keep doing this to give stocks a lift.
- Senate Republicans kill a cannabis research bill for veterans in a procedural vote that went along party lines.
- The Marijuana Policy Project determined states have surpassed $15 billion in Tax Revenue due to legalization.
Arizona
Colorado
- Extensive recall due to Aspergillus, Total Yeast and Mold, and Elemental Impurities in addition to several batches that were never sent for testing by BBM Enterprises, LLC (dba Helping Hands Cannabis)
- The peer-reviewed study titled ‘Uncomfortably High’ found that around 70% of products tested from the shelves in Colorado were 15% lower in THC than the labels specified. It’s beautiful work.
- A new recall has impacted 10 dispensaries for possible mold contamination. The products were sold between June 2022 and earlier this month, so consumers beware!
Delaware
Florida
- Cannabis activists are working towards legalization by collecting signatures to get it on the ballot.
Georgia
Maryland
Michigan
- Cannabis Regulatory Agency discussed plans to create a third party laboratory (state-run) to run blind proficiency tests and audits. YAY! They must read this blog!
- Viridis, the lab at the center of Michigan’s massive recall, is claiming the state is stonewalling evidence disclosure.
- Michigan posted pesticides approved for cannabis and hemp. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division (PPPM) has created lists of pesticides that are approved for use on hemp and marijuana and will be updated over time.
Minnesota
- Regulators found mold in THC syrup. They also found the hemp-derived THC product had not been appropriately tested.
- The MN house voted to legalize Adult-Use Cannabis, and is now working on the language / bill finalization. It passed the Senate.
Nevada
New Jersey
- While not directly related to testing, it’s notable that New Jersey opted not to renew Curaleaf’s license. This is an ongoing story, as Curaleaf has stated they have done nothing wrong. On April 17, NJ CRC Board voted to approve Curaleaf’s license.
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Oregon
- Oregon’s new-to-them aspergillus testing rules have caused woes. Harris Bricken put together an amazing piece of coverage of the issue as it stands.
South Dakota
Texas
Vermont
Washington
- If you want to know what’s REALLY going on in Washington, check out the work on Dr. Jim McRae’s blog. I’m looking forward to more data analysis like his hard hitting piece on what’s really going on with the pesticide issues in the state. His work has been exceptionally inspirational to me, so please check out his blog, at http://www.highintelligence.org/
- There’s an ongoing and rather complicated situation going on in Washington following the state’s administrative hold on licensees in a specific region due to cannabis was testing positive for DDE, a remnant product of DDT. DDE is not one of the listed contaminants tested for by the state, and licensees may have been unaware of the issue.