Maine issues third cannabis recall in as many months

Photo / Courtesy, Pixabay The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy has issued a health and safety recall for adult use cannabis sold at four stores in Bethel, Biddeford and Sanford.

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By Renee Cordes

After issuing recalls for tainted adult-use cannabis in September and October, the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy has issued another one for cannabis products sold at stores in Bethel, Biddeford and Sanford.

As part of an ongoing investigation into data irregularities between mandatory test results reported to the state’s cannabis agency and audit testing conducted by the agency, it is recalling the products after discovering unsafe levels of yeast and mold in them.

The affected cannabis, made from the flower of a strain called "The Soap," was produced by Leb City Greeneries and sold at Brilliant Buds in Bethel, Stoner & Co. in Biddeford, and Friendly Fire and Green Truck Farms in Sanford.

Products affected by the recall were sold at those stores between Oct. 11 and Oct. 24, according to officials.

Inhaling cannabis containing unsafe levels of mold can lead to sinus issues, allergies, headaches, dizziness or fatigue. Consumers who purchased the products concerned are urged to return them to the retailer or dispose of them.

Audit testing vigilance

Alexis Soucy, a spokeswoman for the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, shed some light into why the Augusta-based regulator issued the recalls and recently expanded its recall of several types of products sold by the Nova Farms chain.

"The first recall was the result of testing data irregularities discovered through the Office’s regular review of mandatory test results," she told Mainebiz via email. "The two latest recalls were each the result of a routine compliance inspection where OCP’s compliance team took a sample and submitted it for audit testing. Those audit test results varied from the mandatory test results that had been reported to OCP, leading the Office to begin an investigation."

"In each case, the information contained in the state’s cannabis inventory tracking system allowed OCP to put an administrative hold on items throughout its investigation," she continued. "However, as additional testing was conducted as part of the investigation into the cause of the second recall (Nova Farms), more batches, which had been placed on an administrative hold, were found to be contaminated. That is why the recall was expanded."

She also noted that the investigation into the third and latest recall is ongoing and highlighted the importance of audit testing in general.

"Audit testing is an important tool to ensure licensees’ compliance with the requirements related to handling, sampling, remediation and testing," she said. "Audit testing is also one of the many ways in which the Office ensures that we meet consumer expectations to maintain product safety and to notify the public when problems are identified."