California regulators have ramped up cannabis product recalls and issued several health warnings to consumers. In the past month alone, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issued six recalls, and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned against certain hemp-infused beverages.
So far this year, at least 23 cannabis product recalls have been issued, far surpassing the three recalls in 2022 and 2023. DCC spokesperson Moorea Warren attributed the increase to more inspections and product testing. Many recalls, including those prompted by aspergillus fungus contamination, were highlighted by MJBizDaily and Newsweek.
This week, the DCC issued a mandatory recall for flower products from BloomBox Flower and Pat’s Flower due to contamination. These products were sold at Dr. Greenthumb dispensary near Los Angeles International Airport and packaged by Stella Farms, which did not respond to inquiries for comment.
In a separate notice, the CDPH warned consumers against drinking Mary Jones hemp-infused sodas due to mislabeled ingredients, including prohibited hemp-derived THC isolates. These sodas, distributed across California, violated state laws prohibiting THC isolates in industrial hemp products.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the CDPH and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to enforce actions against illegal hemp product sales. Seattle-based Jones Soda Co., the producer of the recalled sodas, has not issued a voluntary recall. The company’s California distributor and retailers face potential civil or criminal penalties if sales continue.
Jones Soda reported a 29% increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2024, driven by the success of its delta-9 THC-infused drinks. However, the company also reported a net loss of $1.2 million.
