More cannabis recalled for yeast, mold, bacterial contamination
The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy on Thursday expanded a previous recall of recreational cannabis to include additional products manufactured by Nova Farms and sold for more than a month.
The updated recall includes preground flower, prerolls and blunts of the strain “Frosted Cookies” produced by Nova Farms and sold between September and mid-October. It also includes preground packages of the strain “Frozay” sold from late August to mid-October. Nova Farms is a Massachusetts-based company that has dispensaries in Maine and New Jersey.
The products were found to contain microbials, as well as yeast and mold above the state’s safe threshold during a follow-up test, the office said in a statement.
In addition to the products recalled this month, the expansion includes 1/8-ounce and 1-ounce packages of preground flower; half-gram prerolls sold individually and in five-packs; and half-gram blunts of “Frosted Cookies” sold in four-packs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 13.
Maine issues 2nd recall of moldy cannabis
It also applies to 1/8-ounce, 1/2-ounce and one-ounce packages of preground flower; half-gram, 1.5-gram and 3-gram single prerolls; half-gram prerolls sold in five-packs; single half-gram blunts; and four-packs of half- and full-gram blunts of “Frosted Cookies” sold from Sept. 5 to Oct. 11.
Also recalled are 1-ounce and 1/8-ounce packages of preground flower of the strain “Frozay” sold between Aug. 30 and Oct. 14.
The state issued its first ever recall of recreational cannabis products in September, pulling products manufactured by Cannabis Cured, a cultivator and retailer based in Fairfield.
The latest recall was triggered by “data irregularities” between testing results reported to the office and audit testing the office performed itself, the office said in a statement this month.
In addition to the 14 stores noted in the first recall, the tainted products were sold at nine retail locations in Maine:
• Brilliant Buds in Bethel
• Cannabis Haven on Center Street in Auburn
• Cannabis Haven on Union Street in Auburn
• Cannabis Haven in Waterville
• Humble Family Farms in Lewiston
• Kind & Co. in Portland
• OG Cannabis in Eliot
• Sinsemilla in Gardiner
• The Great Atlantic Puffin Company Adult Use in Bridgton
Customers who believe they may have purchased contaminated product are urged to check the batch numbers on their purchase against those listed on the recall.
Inhaling cannabis that contains unsafe levels of mold can lead to flu-like symptoms, including sinus issues, allergies, headaches, fatigue and dizziness.
John Hudak, director of the Office of Cannabis Policy, did not return a voicemail or emailed questions Thursday about what seems to be behind the recent recalls or how they reflect the state’s testing procedure.
A representative of Nova Farms could not be reached by phone or email Thursday evening to answer questions about its testing procedures and response to the latest recall.
