The state has issued its second "health alert" for marijuana contaminated with pesticides or pesticide ingredients, in this case three strains of marijuana flowers sold from dispensaries in Salem, Eugene and North Bend.
The Oregon Health Authority is advising anyone who bought the strains to either return them to the dispensaries or dispose of them.
It’s not clear how the tainted marijuana ended up on store shelves after apparently failing lab tests. Health authority officials are investigating why that happened. Producers are supposed to destroy the strains that fail pesticide tests.
The state is withholding the names of the growers, saying it’s confidential information.
The insecticide spinosad was found in a strain called "Dutch Treat" sold between Oct. 15 and 26 by the Flowr of Lyfe dispensary in Eugene. About 30 people bought Dutch Treat.
Spinosad also set off alarms in late October, when the state issued its first health alert. The pesticide is allowed up to 0.2 parts per million in marijuana products, but the Dutch Treat batch contained 0.9 parts per million.
Piperonyl butoxide, an ingredient in a wide array of pesticides, was found at high levels in two strains of marijuana flowers sold at shops in North Bend and Salem.
About 250 mostly recreational customers bought Pleeze and Dryzl from Stonies in North Bend between Oct. 16 and 25. Green-Way Medical in Salem sold the strains between Oct. 15 and 23 to about 90 people.
Piperonyl butoxide isn’t a pesticide, but amplifies the effects of pesticides. It’s allowed up to 2 parts per million in marijuana products. Both strains contained more than seven times that amount – 15.39 in Pleeze and 16.24 in Dryzl.
Oregon started in October regulating and monitoring how much pesticide residue can be present in marijuana.
Marijuana producers have long used pesticides to combat mold and mites, common problems that plague the plant, but it wasn’t until this year that the state began to craft a tougher policy on how to protect consumers.
An investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive last year found lax state rules, inconsistent lab practices and inaccurate test results put pesticide-laced cannabis on dispensary shelves.
The Oregon Health Authority now requires that labs testing marijuana be state-authorized. The recalled strains were tested at labs licensed by the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which is taking over control the state’s marijuana programs. The health authority also established residual amounts of pesticide allowed on marijuana products.
There is little known about what happens if someone smokes marijuana that contains spinosad or piperonyl butoxide. The Oregon Poison Center can help anyone concerned about their exposure by calling 800-222-1222.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Oregon Issues Health Alert For Three Marijuana Strains With Pesticide Residue
Author: Molly Harbarger
Contact: OregonLive
Photo Credit: Noelle Crombie
Website: OregonLive
