Are Marijuana Product Recalls The Future? Michigan Recalls Pot From Over 400 Pharmacies

Michigan regulators have just recalled thousands of marijuana products that have passed required safety tests at licensed testing facilities in the past five months. The basis for this recall is that all of the test results were inaccurate.

That order resulted in massive losses in several cannabis stores across the state. As no fewer than 400 stores were affected, all stores that purchased or tested products at Viridis Laboratories between August and November were affected by this product recall.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced through local news outlets last Wednesday that all products tested by Viridis Laboratories between August 10 and November 16 had yielded unreliable results.

From the recall memo, all products were included with the exception of inhalable cannabis concentrate such as distillate, vape carts, and live resins. This means that flowers, pills, gums, and other edibles will be returned.

safety first

When plants are harvested and processed, they must be tested in licensed laboratories and carefully tagged and tracked so customers can determine that they are real.

The investigation began when two ex-police officers reported inconsistencies in the test results from Viridis Laboratories within the specified time frame. Todd Welch and Dr. Michele Glinn take their job as a legal weed tester very seriously.

Viridis Laboratories announced that it is working fully with the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency while conducting their research.

The lab’s management told CBS News in an interview that they do not support the agency’s decision to recall the products as they are confident of the accuracy of the results. They also announced that they are working with customers to minimize the after-effects of the order and retest all affected products for free.

The CEO, Greg Michaud, stressed that the lab stands firm behind all of the test results released during this time frame.

It is not yet clear whether all the recalled products are harmful to consumption. This will be determined as soon as the products are tested again. The MRA warned that the products could be potentially harmful to immunocompromised customers. Customers who suffer from lung diseases are also at risk of debilitating health problems such as infections and aspergillosis. The agency suspects the products have been exposed to mold and is focused on protecting people from the health effects caused by inhaling mold.

The fate of the recalled products

When returned to the sellers, the potentially harmful products are either retested by Viridis Laboratories or immediately destroyed by the sellers. The regulator requires that evidence be provided for every product destroyed by vendors.

What this means for the pharmacies concerned

This is the largest recall in Michigan since the cannabis industry was legalized. The total value of the recalled marijuana is at least $ 10 million.

For some pharmacies, this means the end of all operations. Viridis Laboratories is one of the largest and most popular laboratories in Michigan for testing cannabis products. Some pharmacies exclusively patronize the establishment. These businesses are facing a major downfall, except they have insurance coverage.

In an interview with the Metro Times, John Fraser, team leader at Dykema’s Michigan cannabis law firm, mentioned that approximately 80% of a pharmacy’s entire inventory has been recalled. The remaining 20% ​​includes inhalable and other consumables purchased before August 10, 2021. Dozens of pharmacies have had at least 40% of their inventory recalled. Most choose to retest these products instead of destroying them.

As Mr. Fraser said, the whole situation can be compared to a nightmare and the pharmacy owners and workers just wish they could wake up and see that everything is not real.

Some of these stores would have to close due to the high losses. Aside from the retests which give good results, this could all be a disaster waiting to happen.

Many in the Michigan-related cannabis industry are optimistic that the regulator has a foolproof plan to ensure that all cannabis products are retested as soon as possible. A quick solution is required to get the pharmacies back on their feet.

The agency must also develop an advisory team to monitor and guide other operators in the pharmacies in the following steps. This would also help suppress the fear in the hearts of entrepreneurs.

Many retailers in the cannabis industry are all wondering what the next step is. What exactly should dealers do now?

What that means for consumers

Consumers are the end users of the products. The expected phase of events over the next few weeks is that the cost and price of cannabis products could rise significantly across the state. With hundreds of tons of cannabis products being recalled, demand will increase, but prices could double (or even triple) due to the shortage of supply.

It is important to note that the arrangement itself is a means of protecting students from infection and other diseases that can result from mold poisoning. Stephen Linder, executive director of the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association (MCMA), says this recall is a necessary evil. For them it is unfortunate, but it cannot be avoided.

If you look at the bigger picture, the MRA is on the right track. This act alone could save thousands of lives who might have been lost.

Bottom line

Michigan cannabis users who purchased products from any of the affected stores should do well to return the recalled products for disposal or re-examination. Frequent cannabis users who also have weak immune systems or lung-related symptoms were advised to look out for side effects of the products (for those who may have unknowingly consumed the products).

For residents with other complaints or problems, the agency is available by email at MRA-Enforcement@michigan.gov. to reach

Expect more information as soon as the ongoing investigation is completed. Return any recalled products and please keep calm until then.

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