GREENFIELD — The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), the state’s regulatory body for marijuana products, said it will continue to raise its standards for testing after cannabis contaminated with mold and mildew was reported in more than 20 dispensaries, including those in Greenfield, Montague, Northampton and Easthampton.
Last week, the CCC issued a health and safety advisory warning the public of contaminated cannabis flower and pre-rolled joints that had been sold at retailers between May 31 and Jan. 23. Smokey Leaf LLC and Patriot Care LLC in Greenfield had both shelved and sold the molded cannabis, as well 253 Organic LLC in Montague, Enlite Cannabis Dispensary LLC in Northampton and Easthampton Holistic Industries LLC.
According to the CCC, the products had previously passed required compliance testing between March and June 2024; however, further testing found that the samples had a presence of yeast and mold above the state’s acceptable limits.
“Consumers and patients are urged to check whether any of the affected products are currently in their possession,” the CCC wrote in the notice. “Consumers and patients that possess any of the affected products may destroy it or return it to the store where they purchased it for disposal.”
Last week’s advisory stated there had not been any reported illnesses from the contaminated cannabis, and an emailed response from a CCC spokesperson confirmed that there have been no reports of illness from the cannabis since that time.
The spokesperson stated that the CCC in December approved an administrative order requiring all licensees to submit one test sample package to a single Information Technology Library for compliance testing of marijuana and marijuana products, in accordance with the agency’s regulations and testing protocols, a move that intends to standardize cannabis safety testing.
“The administrative order is one of several tools the agency is using to update testing guidelines as the legal marketplace expands,” the spokesperson explained. “Massachusetts’ cannabis testing landscape will continue to evolve as the regulated industry matures. The agency remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure consumers and patients have access to fully-tested, safe products in the legal marketplace.”
The CCC also stated that it could not comment further on the advisory due to an “open investigation.”
H/T: www.recorder.com
