Since the start of this year, there have been several different weed recalls in California by the state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) for possible contamination of Aspergillus, a fungus that can grow on cannabis plants.
According to the Cannabis Science and Technology website, Aspergillus is a fungus that can grow on many different plants, including cannabis. Cannabis Science and Technology focuses on educating members of the cannabis community on “science and technology of analytical testing, quality control/quality assurance, cultivation, extraction, and processing/manufacturing.”
“If cannabis is grown or stored in conditions that are conducive to mold growth, such as high humidity or improper drying and curing processes, it can provide an environment for Aspergillus to thrive,” its website reads.
Newsweek has created a list of the 13 different products that were recalled for the contamination of Aspergillus from January 10 to May 17.
Recalls:
- May 17: Lax Packs Premium Flower
- May 6: Canndescent California 100% Whole Flower Pre-rolls
- April 25: C-Creme Infused Pre-roll
- April 19: 8 Track 1.0 Gram Pre-roll
- April 9: Tyson Undisputed Cannabis Flower
- March 25: UPNORTH 3.5 gram flower
- March 20: Almora 14 half gram pre-rolls
- March 11: JC Rad Flower
- March 11: Passiflora Premium Flower
- March 1: Grizzly Peak Premium Indoor Flower
- February 21: LOWELL BIG BUDS Blueberry Kush Indica
- February 21: Roundtrip Pistachio Flower
- January 10: Gelato Orangeade hybrid
Earlier this month, the California DCC announced the recall for the Canndescent California 100% Whole Flower Pre-rolls “due to the presence of Aspergillus spp. and due to inaccurate labeling that reports more cannabinoid content than the product contains.”
Consumers who purchased this product and other recalled products because of Aspergillus are encouraged to contact their physician if they are experiencing any symptoms. They are also told to check their package numbers and if they match to the recalled product, they should discard the product or return it to the retailer.
Newsweek has reached out to the California DCC via email for comment.
According to Cannabis Science and Technology, Aspergillus can pose health risks to consumers who use products that are contaminated with the fungus. Those with weakened immune systems and respiratory issues can face even higher risks.
“The issue with fungus spores and cannabis is when its spores are introduced into the lungs, for example, by smoking and inhaling contaminated product,” its website states.
There are currently 24 U.S. states that allow the use of recreational marijuana, and 38 states permit its use in the medical context. As per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, in the same class as other drugs such as heroin, ecstasy and LSD.
However, the DEA recently announced plans to “reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug to a Schedule 3 drug,” which would be considered on the same classification as drugs like Tylenol with codeine, ketamine and anabolic steroids, once its proposal has been reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Read the full article here
