Another recall for marijuana edibles has Arizona marijuana stores checking recalled products and batch numbers to remove stock from the shelves. So far, the recalls were due to potential contamination with a harmful mold called Aspergillus. But the latest recall was for potential Salmonella contamination.

Recalled Products

There have been 4 separate Press Releases from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) along with 1 that rescinded one recall.

Date	Cultivator	Product Name	Batch #	Product Type	Implicated Contaminant
8/7/23	Nirvana Center	Cloud 9 Gummies (Grape)	C9G04102023	Gummies	Salmonella
7/24/23	Grow Sciences	Divinity	H.DI230329.A11	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus
7/24/23	Grow Sciences	MAC	H.MA230324.A02	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus
7/24/23	Grow Sciences	MAC	H.MA230402.A06	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus
7/24/23	Soothing Options	Gelato 41	23667	Concentrates/Extracts	Aspergillus
6/14/23	Cannabist *	Cap’s Frozen Lemon	041323-LR.CFL	Live Resin, Concentrate	Salmonella
6/14/23	Cannabist *	Twisted Lemonz	041023-LR.CBN.1	Live Resin, Concentrate	Salmonella
6/14/23	Cannabist *	Cherry Punch	221116-02-40	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus
6/14/23	Cannabist *	Ghost Train Haze	040423-LR.GTH	Live Resin, Concentrate	Salmonella
6/2/23	Truinfusion	Zombie Cookies	1110R29ZMBC	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus
6/2/23	Truinfusion	Peach G as	1021R32PG	Plant, Trim	Aspergillus

*recall later rescinded after additional testing ruled out contamination.

False Negative Results

These recalls all have one thing in common. Laboratories released these products based on negative test results. However, each recall states that these results were deemed false negative results.

A false negative means that the test result showed a negative result, when in fact it was actually a positive result. A negative result means no contamination, while a positive result means there is contamination. On the other hand, false positive results can occur as well. A false positive means that the test result showed a positive result, when in fact it was actually a negative result. This is a big deal, because businesses and consumers rely on accurate testing for confidence in the products they consume.

 

In fact, there are entire regulations in place as to how and who can conduct this type of testing in addition to who can sell these products. Arizona regulations 9 A.A.C. 18 Adult-Use Marijuana Program and 9 A.A.C. 17 Medical Marijuana Program provide this information.

June 2, 2023

The first recall this Summer, was announced on June 2, 2023, for the Truinfusion brand in two of their plant trim products. This Aspergillus prompted recall came after ADHS Laboratory auditors were notified of testing errors resulting in false negative results for contaminants.

Following this discovery, ADHS contacted the manufacturer and recall activities were initiated.

There have been no reported illnesses linked to this recall so far. ADHS urges patients who have purchased the potentially contaminated products to not ingest, inhale, or otherwise consume the product.

June 14, 2023

Shortly after, on June 14, 2023, Cannabist recalled 3 live resin and concentrate products for potential Salmonella contamination and 1 plant trim product for potential Aspergillus contamination. These too were recalled after ADHS Laboratory auditors were notified of testing errors resulting in false negative results for contaminants.

There have been no reported illnesses linked to this recall so far. ADHS urges patients who have purchased the potentially contaminated products to not ingest, inhale, or otherwise consume the product.

July 24, 2023

Again, on July 14, 2023, another recall was announced. Grow Sciences recalled 3 of their plant trip products and Soothing Options recalled 1 of their concentrates/extracts products due to potential Aspergillus contamination.

Yet again, ADHS Laboratory auditors discovered testing errors resulting in false negative results for contaminants, prompting a recall. However, this recall was later rescinded due to a clause in the The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act rules (Arizona Administrative Code R9-17-317.01) and the Smart and Safe Arizona Act rules (Arizona Administrative Code R9-18-311) where a facility can request the laboratory to send the original sample to a second laboratory for additional testing. Upon receiving a negative result, the facility may request the sample to be sent to a third laboratory. The result of the third laboratory testing will determine the final result.

August 7, 2023

That brings us to the most recent recall released on August 7, 2023, for Nirvana Center Cloud 9 Grape Gummies that were recalled due to potential Salmonella contamination. This recall was initiated after an ADHS Marijuana Licensing inspector discovered potential contamination during a routine inspection. It came to their attention after reviewing the establishment’s testing documentation.

There have been no reported illnesses linked to this recall so far. ADHS urges patients who have purchased the potentially contaminated products to not ingest, inhale, or otherwise consume the product.

Confidence in Testing

With false negatives and false positives being waved all over the place and products being recalled then later rescinded, how much confidence do people have in the testing? These patients rely on clean and safe products. Consumers requiring medical use of marijuana often have health conditions that make them more vulnerable than normally healthy individuals.

It isn’t safe for anyone to consume products containing Aspergillus mold or Salmonella bacteria. For both of these harmful contaminants, those with a compromised immune system are at higher risk for serious or even life-threatening symptoms.

Aspergillus

Aspergillus is a type of common mold that can thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments. Most people can breathe in Aspergillus spores without becoming sick, however those with a weakened immune system or existing lung disease are at higher risk of developing health problems.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are different type of aspergillosis – the illness associated with contact with Aspergillus mold spores. Some types of illness are more mild, while others are quite serious.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) produces symptoms that are similar to asthma and include: wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, and in rare cases fever.

Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis often produces cold-like symptoms such as: stuffiness, runny nose, headache, and reduced ability to smell.

Aspergilloma or “fungal ball” symptoms have more respiratory symptoms, such as: cough, coughing up blood, and shortness of breath.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis symptoms often include: weight loss, cough, coughing up blood, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

Invasive aspergillosis is usually seen in people who are already sick from other medical conditions, so symptoms are often hard to pinpoint. Fever is a common symptom of invasive aspergillosis, as is chest pain, cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath. Other symptoms may develop in the infection spreads to other parts of the body.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness when consumed. Symptoms often include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Some people with salmonellosis may also experience nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Symptoms often begin between 6 hours to 6 days after infection and often last for 4 to 7 days.

What Do I Do If I Have Consumed Tainted Marijuana Products

If you have already consumed recalled products, ADHS recommends monitoring for symptoms. If you begin to experience symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

If you become sick from tainted marijuana products, there are a few things that can help your situation.

Seek medical attention. Notify your healthcare provider of your situation so that appropriate testing can be performed to ensure the right treatment. This may make a difference in your recovery outcome.

Retain product packaging. Product packaging will have identifying information that could link the lot number to the existing recall or potentially bring to attention another product batch that may need to be recalled.

Make a list of the places you have been and the products that you have consumed. Detailed patient interviews can help investigators with traceback activities. If your case isn’t directly related to an outbreak or recalled product, it can help connect the dots to prevent future illnesses.

Contact an experienced food poisoning lawyer. An experienced food poisoning lawyer may be able to help navigate you through this difficult time. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a strong record of helping those who have been harmed by products at no fault of their own. Reach out for a free consultation by phone at (833) 330-3663 or click here to email to get answers unique to your situation.

By: Heather Van Tassell