Canada to Start Random Testing of MMJ by Licensed Producers

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Canada to Start Random Testing of MMJ by Licensed Producers

Flickr / Cannabis Pictures / CC BY 2.0

On Feb. 7, 2017, Health Canada announced that it is going to start random testing of medical marijuana produced by all of the country’s licensed producers in an attempt to ensure patients aren’t being exposed to contaminated products.

The announcement comes on the heels of voluntary recalls recently conducted by Organigram (TSXV:OGI) and Aurora Cannabis Inc. (TSXV:ACB) in January 2017.

While Organigram issued an initial recall on Dec. 30, 2016, due to the detection of myclobutanil and/or bifenazate, an unapproved pesticide, in five lots of medical marijuana provided to patients between August and December 2016, the company issued a second voluntary recall on Jan. 9, 2017, after additional lots were also found to contain the unapproved pesticide. The second recall applies to medical marijuana produced between Feb. 1, 2016, to Dec. 16, 2016.

Health Canada announced Aurora’s voluntary recall on Jan. 13, 2017, for seven lots of medical marijuana that Aurora bought from Organigram and sold to patients under the name of Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. The marijuana Aurora purchased from Organigram contained the unapproved pesticide that prompted Organigram’s initial recall on Dec. 30, 2016.

According to Health Canada, “The expanded product testing program will further enhance the Department’s existing regime of regular unannounced inspections of licensed producer facilities, as well as the controls in place by licensed producers.”

The staff byline designates content that has been written by a staff writer of MJINews.

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