Marijuana recalled due to noncompliant testing in Missouri

Updated

The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), working with Nature’s Grace and Wellness, has announced a recall of marijuana products sold by NGWMO, LLC.

The recall affects products distributed to 80 dispensaries across the state, following the discovery of non-compliant testing practices.

“The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), in cooperation with NGWMO, LLC issued a marijuana product recall today for marijuana products sold to dispensary facilities by comprehensive cultivation licensee, NGWMO, LLC, CUL000069. Pursuant to 19 CSR 100-1.100(4)(P), DCR may issue a public notice of recall where marijuana product presents a potential threat to health and safety. No adverse reactions for this product have been reported to DCR at this time,” the release reads.

The recall was initiated because the affected products were tested only at the unprocessed bud/flower stage, rather than the required final product stage.

DCR elaborated on the difference in the hold and recall list explaining, “The recall that was issued earlier this week is related to a subset of the products placed on admin hold recently. However, there are some products listed on the recall list that are not also on admin hold. This is because there are products that were sold that are no longer in inventory; patients and consumers need to know about those products, but there is nothing to hold in place for licensees because they no longer have any of those products. Licensees have received communication on this point.”

This deviation from state regulations, specifically 19 CSR 100-1, poses potential health and safety risks to consumers.

State regulations mandate that marijuana products undergo rigorous testing at the final product stage to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. Testing at the unprocessed stage does not account for potential contaminants or issues that may arise during the final production process, hence the heightened risk to consumer health.

Scope of the recall

More than 70 SKUs under the Twenty Twenty brand are impacted, encompassing thousands of products.

DCR emphasizes that while no adverse reactions have been reported thus far, the recall is a precautionary measure to ensure consumer safety.

Consumer guidance

Twenty Twenty flower, including prerolls, and ground flower from the following cultivars may be subject to recall:

   

• • Bluenana
  • Bogeyman
  • Coffee Creamer
  • Cookie Dough
  • Crossbow
  • Deep Fried Runtz
  • Double Durban Kush
  • Honey Bun
  • Marshmallow Cream
  • Megatron
  • Problem Child
  • Sherbidos
  • Skywalker OG
  • Sour Banana Sherbet
  • Sour Diesel
  • Supreme Diesel
  • Wedding Cake
  • Wonka Bars

For a complete list of the affected products, consumers can visit the DCR website link here.

Patients and consumers who have purchased the recalled products are advised to stop using them immediately.

Unused products should be discarded or returned to the dispensary where they were bought.

Returned products will not count against a patient’s purchase limit.

For further details on the return process, consumers should contact their respective dispensaries.

Industry impact

This recall highlights the latest in a list of obstacles and difficulties facing the cannabis industry in Missouri.

Last year, more than 76,000 products were recalled at nearly the same time.

Last week, thousands of products were placed on administrative hold related to multiple ongoing investigations, meaning the voluntary recall by Nature’s Grace and Wellness and DCR could be the tip of the iceberg.

All of this as dispensary operators, manufacturers, and cultivators stare down two deadlines in coming months that will have significant ramifications, a restriction on packaging will force product with outdated or unapproved packaging of the shelves in September, while a more far-reaching requirement will see product itself forced to be removed in November.