A new investigation has uncovered a concerning trend in the Massachusetts cannabis industry: mold- and yeast-contaminated marijuana being sold at dispensaries across the state.
Industry experts say an alert from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) raises serious concerns about consumer safety, particularly for medical marijuana patients with compromised immune systems.
Whistleblower raises the alarm on cannabis testing
Christopher Hudalla, founder and chief scientific officer of ProVerde Laboratories, a cannabis testing facility, said he has been sounding the alarm about this issue for years. He first alerted the CCC about his contamination concerns back in 2020.
“We have emails going back over four years on this specific case and very little movement. Very little response,” Hudalla said. “It has been frustrating because for several years we have expressed concerns to CCC about testing methodologies in place or products that represent a safety concern for consumers.”
Hudalla believes the root of the problem lies in inconsistent testing methods used by different labs. While his lab adheres to the guidelines set by the U.S. Pharmacopeia, utilizing culture-based assays to accurately detect mold, other labs employ PCR testing, a method he said is known for its unreliability in this context.
“Multiple states have banned this type of testing for yeast or mold because of the unreliability of it,” Hudalla said. He further alleged that some cannabis companies engage in “lab shopping,” seeking out labs that are more likely to pass their products, even if they contain mold.
Health risks for vulnerable patients
The presence of mold in cannabis poses significant health risks, especially for immunocompromised individuals.
“For the 20 to 30% of medical patients who are immunocompromised, mold exposure can lead to serious infections, systemic illness and even hospitalizations,” said Dr. Benjamin Caplan, a Massachusetts family physician.
Symptoms to look out for include cough, fever, shortness of breath and chest pain, according to Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a cannabis specialist at Mass. General Hospital.
“A lot of sick people use medical marijuana, often with great benefit,” Grinspoon said. “But if there were molds and fungi in the cannabis, it can be very dangerous for immunocompromised patients.”
H/T: www.nbcboston.com
