The UK Government has issued an alert relating to medical cannabis flower products affected by mould.
The UK Government’s website, which provides more details on the affected products, states:
“The importer and distributor of the above products (Eaststone Limited) has informed us of reports that two affected batches may be contaminated with mould. Therefore, these batches are being recalled as a precautionary measure. This recall is being issued as a company-led recall due to the limited number of packs distributed, and Eaststone Limited have full traceability of the onward distribution by their customers.”
Mould in a product that is inhaled isn’t a good thing at the best of times, but if a person’s health is already compromised the implications could be significant.
The UK’s Cancard was scathing in its assessment of the situation.
“Many patients in the UK have spent thousands of pounds to become legally protected from prosecution for taking the medicine that helps them, they do so in the belief that these products would be safer. The fact that patients who live with chronic debilitating illnesses are now suffering from mould toxicity simply for choosing the legal route is unforgivable.”
Cancard is an initiative we’ve mentioned here on HempGazette in the past; offering a “medical cannabis card” designed to provide a legal argument for exemption from prosecution for possession of cannabis.
Cancard claims small grow operations currently illegal in the UK have better quality control.
Perhaps that’s the situation in the UK, but across the pond in Canada, British Columbia’s public safety minister probably wouldn’t agree. His office says testing of cannabis seized from illicit retailers in B.C. has found that many samples contained contaminants that would not be permitted in that country’s legal cannabis market.
“My message to people who choose to consume cannabis is simple: buy from legal sellers whose regulated product is subject to national requirements that are in place to protect you,” said Mike Farnworth, British Columbia Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
It’s not clear if any of the samples were being sold for medicinal use (in Canada, recreational use is legal), but two dozen distinct pesticides were found, along with unacceptable levels of bacteria, fungi, lead and arsenic.
