In the past six months California has issued recalls for two dozen different pot products, for everything from containing pesticides to mislabeling its potency.
SAN DIEGO — California regulators are recalling some cannabis products for containing toxic chemicals.
While the state recalled only four cannabis products last year, just in the past six months it has issued recalls for two dozen different pot products. The recalls were issued after inspectors found pesticides or mold in the products, to manufacturers mislabeling the product’s potency.
“Consumers should be extremely worried,” said San Diego journalist Jackie Bryant, who has been covering the cannabis industry for the past decade.
She said consumers of legal cannabis need to take the growing list of recalls of cannabis products by state regulators seriously.
“I consumed one of those products from one of the brands,” she told CBS 8. “I didn’t know it until that article came out.”
The article she’s referring to is an in-depth investigation by the Los Angeles Times which revealed that 25 out of 42 cannabis vape pens tested by the news outlet were contaminated with pesticides: some so toxic that they’re banned from use here in California.
The most recent recall by California’s Department of Cannabis Control was issued on Tuesday, applying to West Coast Cure’s “Orange cookies” products, packaged either on or after September 26, 2023.
This recall specifically refers to the CUREpen PREMIUM THC OIL Vape Cartridge due to the presence of pesticides.
CBS 8 has reached out to West Coast Cure for comment but has not yet heard back.
Bryant pointed out that many other brands and products have not been tested.
“We have no idea beyond the brands that were tested how many more tainted products are out there,” Bryant added.
There are ways for cannabis consumers to protect themselves.
“As a consumer, you do have options,” Bryant said. “You can do some research, get to know your grower, ask your budtender, ask for sun-grown cannabis, especially outdoor cannabis.”
She also foresees a spate of lawsuits shortly targeting all parts of the legal cannabis industry, from the growers to the wholesalers to the retailers.
“Who can afford to survive that?” she added. “It’s going to take out a lot of the current legal companies that we have, and there will be a huge space in that market for something else to come in.”
