Dozens of weed products, including buds and rollups, have been recalled in the US due to the discovery of a toxic mold that is linked to lung infections.
California'sDepartment of Cannabis Control (DCC) reported that the products might be filled with aspergillus - a fungus that grows on plants when they aren't stored or dried properly.
Inhaling aspergillus can cause a wide range of health issues including coughing up blood, asthma attacks, headaches,weight lossand in extreme cases, death.
There were 13 overall products that were subject to mandatory recalls including Northern Emerald's Tyson Undisputed Cannabis Flower, a brand promoted by professional boxer Mike Tyson.
The state's Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) recalled 13 weed products that contained aspergillus - a toxic mold that is linked to lung infections
The DCC first issued a recall in January for the Gelato Orangeade hybrid cannabis flower and 12 others between February 21 and May 17, citing that they contained aspergillus.
Other affected weed products included the JC Rad Flower, the UpNorth 3.5 gram flower and the LAX Packs Premium Flower.
The toxic mold commonly grows on decaying vegetation, stored grains and marijuana leaves in conditions where the temperature hovers at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
When inhaled, aspergillus spores can colonize in the lungs, leading to the formation of a fungus ball, also called pulmonary aspergilloma.
Although this can be asymptomatic, it can also cause those affected to chronically cough up blood or lead to fatal bleeding, according to Biomerieux, a leader in vitro diagnostics and microbiology testing.
Pulmonary aspergilloma can also appear in the brain, kidney or other organs and is treated by either undergoing surgery to remove the infection or embolization, a procedure that inserts a needle to block blood flow.
The toxic mold grows on plants when they aren't stored or dried properly. Consumers who experienced symptoms are advised to contact their physician if they experience any symptoms including coughing up blood, asthma attacks, or severe allergies
Recalled Weed Products
- LAX Packs Premium Flower
- Canndescent California 100% Whole Flower Pre-rolls
- C-Creme Infused Pre-roll
- 8 Track 1.0 Gram Pre-roll
- Tyson Undisputed Cannabis Flower
- UpNorth 3.5 gram flower
- Almora 14 half gram pre-rolls
- JC Rad Flower
- Passiflora Premium Flower
- Grizzly Peak Premium Indoor Flower
- Lowell BIG BUDS Blueberry Kush Indica
- Roundtrip Pistachio Flower
- Gelato Orangeade hybrid
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UpNorth told DailyMail.com that it only sells products that have 'passed the strictest testing protocols' and the now-recalled 3.5-gram flower had already passed DCC testing when it was brought to market, adding that it was in compliance with state and local regulation.
'The DCC later chose a sample of the flower from a dispensary, retested the flower and recalled the product months after release,' the company said, adding: 'UpNorth does not agree with the secondary testing methodology, and was not made aware of standards used in this test.'
The DCC has not reported any severe health issues linked to the affected weed products, but the mandatory recall signifies there is a serious health risk for consumers.
Consumers who purchased or used the products are advised to contact their physician immediately if they experience any adverse reactions or symptoms and to check the packaging's UID to confirm if it was part of the recall.
If the IUD matches a recalled product, the DCC told consumers to either dispose of it themselves or return it to the retailer for proper disposal.
The initial recalls claimed that the mold was the only problem with the products, but when the DCC said it was recalling the 8 Track 1.0 Gram Pre-roll product from Flagship Distribution on April 19, there was yet another issue.
Not only did the product contain aspergillus, but its label also said there was more THC than there really was.
Créme Genetics posted the mandatory recall order for its Strawberry Cone batch weed, called the C-Creme Infused Pre-roll.
The company reported that 'the batch contains aspergillus and therefore poses a health risk to consumers.
'In addition, the batch has inaccurate THC content labeling of the cannabis good causing it to also be adulterated and misbranded.'
The label advertised that there was 35.2 percent THC in the weed packaging, but the DCC found they only contained 19.8 percent.
The drastic variance in the listed THC is illegal by California law which only allows a difference of 10 percent - meaning the product should only have contained a difference of 38.7 or 31.7 percent.
News of the California weed recalls come less than a year after the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued a recall of cannabis flower after they tested positive for aspergillus and heavy metals including cadmium and mercury.
They were identified during a routine audit of inventory in Oregon's cannabis tracking system in June of last year.
The agency found that the affected products were sold to 75 different marijuana retailers between January and June 2023.
The sale of recreational marijuana is currently allowed in 24 US states, while 38 states allow its use for medicinal purposes.
Marijuana is still labeled as a Schedule I substance - the same category as drugs like heroin, ecstasy and LSD.
However, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced plans earlier this week to 'reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug which would place it in the same class as Tylenol with Codeine, Ketamine and Anabolic Steroids.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the California DCC and several companies who sold the recalled product for comment.
