Presence of Pesticides in Cannabis Products Triggers Recall in California
California’s cannabis industry has recently been shaken by a series of product recalls due to the presence of harmful pesticides. The state’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued a mandatory recall for several cannabis products, including vape cartridges, after they were found to contain dangerous levels of pesticides.
The recall was triggered by the discovery of unsafe levels of the pesticide chlorfenapyr in some THC oil vape cartridges. Chlorfenapyr is a Category I pesticide, indicating it has the highest acute toxicity levels based on oral, dermal, or inhalation toxicity. It is not registered for food use in California and is banned for use in cannabis cultivation.
The products recalled include five West Coast Cure (WCC) products manufactured under the legal business name Shield Management Group LLC. These products were found to contain chlorfenapyr, which can cause high fever, rhabdomyolysis, and neurologic symptoms that progressively worsen until death.
The recalled products include three WCC CUREpen PREMIUM THC OIL vape cartridges sold on or after Sept. 8, 2023, at 202 locations in 33 counties. They also include a single WCC CUREpen vape cartridge sold on or after Sept. 28, 2023, at 216 locations in 33 counties, and a single WCC LIVE RESIN vape cartridge sold on or after Sept. 28, 2023, at 73 locations in 27 counties.
This incident has caused a significant shake-up in the California cannabis market, with retailers, brands, and testing labs scrambling to regain consumers’ confidence. The DCC has urged consumers who may have purchased these products to check their packaging for the UID and batch number. Those possessing an affected product are advised to dispose of it or return it to the retailer for disposal.
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