California recalls more than a dozen weed products due to toxic mold. What’s on the list?
The California Department of Cannabis Control has issued several recalls of cannabis products due to potential contamination with mold.
The weed products may have been contaminated with aspergillus, a “plant-infecting and toxigenic fungi” that is most commonly found in cannabis and hemp flowers, according to the National Institutes of Health. The U.S. government agency is responsible for biomedical and public health research.
“Aspergillus was the most common organism associated with infection of cannabis users,” the health agency said in a 2023 report.
Here are the weed products that were recalled in California due to aspergillus:
What weed products were recalled for mold?
There are two types of recalls, according to the California Department of Cannabis Control.
Mandatory recalls are ordered by the department when there’s an urgent and serious health risk. Voluntary recalls are conducted by cannabis businesses when a business discovers their cannabis product is mislabeled, defective, or unsafe.
The following cannabis products were subject to mandatory recalls on the specified dates due to potential aspergillus contamination:
- 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
- Feb. 21: Lowell BIG BUDS Blueberry Kush Indica
- Feb. 21: Roundtrip Pistachio Flower
- Jan. 10: Gelato Orangeade hybrid
What should I do with recalled weed products?
If you think you purchased any of the recalled cannabis products, the Department of Cannabis Control recommends checking your package for the matching UID and batch number.
“Dispose of the product or return it to the retailer for proper disposal,” the department said.
Based on previous mandatory recalls, licensees or businesses will take approved action to resolve the issue.
Will I get sick from contaminated marijuana?
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people breathe in aspergillus spores every day without getting sick.
However, individuals with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at risk of developing health problems when exposed to aspergillus.
These are some of the common symptoms of exposure:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Headaches
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
“If you are experiencing symptoms or any adverse reactions, contact your physician immediately,” the Department of Cannabis Control said.
This story was originally published May 22, 2024 at 11:56 AM.
