ALERT – OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONTROL PROGRAM: Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program Mandatory Product Recall – 10/1/2020

Yesterday, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) issued a mandatory product recall on edible products sold by Mother Grows Best, LLC dba Verano Brands. This recall was initiated by the MMCP because the product did not pass the full battery of required testing and was sold at specific dispensaries (see complete recall notice for product and dispensary information).
The MMCP identified the brand product, Encore Edibles (Dark Chocolate), as exceeding the regulatory thresholds for cadmium. Cadmium is a heavy metal found in soil and water that can be absorbed by and accumulated in plants (including cocoa beans) that are used to make food products. For non-smokers, food is the main source of cadmium intake for the general population. Increased daily exposure to cadmium can pose a health risk to patients.

Encore Edibles Dark Chocolate

Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, silvery-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury. Like zinc, it demonstrates oxidation state +2 in most of its compounds, and like mercury, it has a lower melting point than the transition metals in groups 3 through 11. Cadmium and its congeners in group 12 are often not considered transition metals, in that they do not have partly filled d or f electron shells in the elemental or common oxidation states. The average concentration of cadmium in Earth’s crust is between 0.1 and 0.5 parts per million (ppm). It was discovered in 1817 simultaneously by Stromeyer and Hermann, both in Germany, as an impurity in zinc carbonate. Cadmium occurs as a minor component in most zinc ores and is a byproduct of zinc production. Cadmium was used for a long time as a corrosion-resistant plating on steel, and cadmium compounds are used as red, orange and yellow pigments, to color glass, and to stabilize plastic. Cadmium use is generally decreasing because it is toxic (it is specifically listed in the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive[4]) and nickel-cadmium batteries have been replaced with nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries. One of its few new uses is in cadmium telluride solar panels. (WIKIPEDIA)

Ohio Admin. Code 3796:4-2-04(H) states a heavy metal contamination analysis passes for cadmium if “the detected amount of cadmium, if any, is less than 0.09 micrograms per kilogram.” When establishing the thresholds, the MMCP utilized the average body weight assumption for a 10-year-old child. Utilizing this assumption creates a higher standard for MMCP products, with the goal of reducing the maximum daily exposure to heavy metals for patients.
For questions regarding cadmium, please review the following resources:
The MMCP continues to investigate this matter and will provide a comprehensive executive summary once complete. As a reminder, no reports of adverse reactions for this product have been reported to the MMCP at this time.
Anyone who thinks that they may be experiencing serious or life-threatening issues should seek immediate medical attention. Patients are reminded that any adverse reactions should be reported to the MMCP toll-free helpline (1-833-464-6627).

REDDIT COMMENTS

Mr. Yuck! I actually got hold of the company that made these, as I recalled them vividly from my childhood in the 70’s, and they sent me a bunch of free stickers.

level 2

Southwest 😷 MOD2 points·5 hours ago

I love mr yuck lol

level 1

Just some government standard it didn’t meet I bet. Would be nice if they would lower the cost on distillate syringes since they are already decarbed and let us make our own legally its a simple process

level 1

As someone who works in the Ohio cannabis field, Cadmium is well known to exist in dark chocolate naturally. The product was submitted for a full panel accidentally when it was supposed to be submitted for Foreign Matter, Micro, and Potency! I understand the recall, but any dark chocolate will come back over Ohio standard for Cadmium.

level 2

Southwest 😷 MOD2 points·27 minutes ago

That’s a bummer.

level 1

Southwest 😷 MOD2 points·8 hours ago

OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONTROL PROGRAM MANDATORY PRODUCT RECALL – 10/1/2020 TOPIC: Mandatory Product Recall

ISSUE: The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) is issuing a mandatory product recall on edible products sold by Mother Grows Best. This recall is being initiated by the MMCP because the product did not pass the full battery of required testing and was sold at specific dispensaries (see Product ID information below). Additional details on the recall will be provided in the coming days.

The MMCP has initiated an investigation into the noncompliance and identified product samples to be tested. These results will be communicated publicly.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS:

Product Name: Encore Edibles (Dark Chocolate)

Product ID: Sold at Zen Leaf (Canton) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001083

Sold at Greenleaf Apothecaries (Akron) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001105

Sold at Greenleaf Apothecaries (Canton) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001111

Sold at Ohio Cannabis Company (Coshocton) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001124

Sold at Greenleaf Apothecaries (Cleveland) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001137

Sold at Greenleaf Apothecaries (Columbus) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001191

Sold at Pure Ohio Wellness (Dayton) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001219

Sold at Have a Heart Cincy (Cincinnati) M00000078821: Edb Oral Admin – 10 – 0.4 – 10 – Dark Chocolate Indica Batch Number: 1A40701000020D1000001310

Purchase Dates: 8/17/2020 – 10/1/2020

Processor Name: Mother Grows Best

No reports of adverse reactions for this product have been reported to the MMCP at this time.

Patients who have purchased the recalled product should stop using it. All unused product should be returned to the dispensary where purchased. Returned products will not count toward a patient’s 45-day possession limit. For more information on returns, please contact the dispensary where the product was purchased.

Anyone who thinks that they may be experiencing serious or life-threatening issues should seek immediate medical attention. Patients are reminded that any adverse reactions should be reported to the MMCP toll-free helpline (1-833-464-6627).

level 2

Thank you for putting this out there. It’s always better to be safe. I’m asking this is as an honest question, do you think it’s actually a bad product or it was a violation of some silly government rule? I would still return anything on the list but I’m more curious on what creates a recall?

level 3

Southwest 😷 MOD1 point·8 hours ago

I’m guessing it failed a follow up test or was found to have missed or failed earlier tests would be my guess. It’s unlikely to be salmonella or anything like that or they would have been clearer in their warning. Expect follow up over the next week.

level 4

fun police3 points·7 hours ago

If I am reading it right, it may or may not be bad, but they forgot to run certain tests on those batches. They are running those tests now and will communicate those results when they know them.

level 5

Southwest 😷 MOD1 point·5 hours ago

Apparently it’s cadmium. I’ll update soon.

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