The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has issued a voluntary recall of three different cannabis strains after finding evidence of fungus and lead. No illnesses have been reported, and the announcement comes from a place of preliminary caution.
On Oct. 24, Eba Holding’s Scrooge (batch number 250310s-100) was recalled after testing revealed high levels of aspergillus; a fungus that is known to cause symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or infections, most often in people who are immunocompromise. Green Medicine’s Saints Bruce Banner (batch number F11BC241209) was recalled due to a potential presence of lead. Symptoms of lead exposure can range and vary, but can include fatigue, abdominal pain, difficulty concentrating, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
Similarly, ADHS issued another recall on Oct. 29 on Life Changer’s Investment LLC’s Birthday Cake (batch number WCSB080425) due to alleged aspergillus levels found during testing.
Lab testing alerted cannabis retailers and producers of the contamination, allowing for contaminated products to be removed from the retail space. However, state officials want the public to be mindful of consumption, and dispose of the contaminated strains if they happen to be purchased prior to the recall.
While there are many protocols in place to ensure safe cannabis consumption, recalls remain in occurrence from time to time. ADHS has issued cannabis recalls in the last two years alone, with products testing positive for pesticides, aspergillus and salmonella.
This is another lesson in the importance of having the literacy to understand a cannabis label. All cannabis products sold in the state of Arizona must provide test results and matching batch numbers, that of which are normally provided on the product label via a QR code. These QR codes are also legally required to scan; providing consumers with full access to a specific product’s test results.