More than a dozen weed products are recalled due to toxic mold linked to lung infections – including a Mike Tyson-promoted brand

Dozens of cannabis products, including buds and rollups, have been recalled in the US following the discovery of a toxic fungus linked to lung infections.

California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) reported that the products may have been filled with aspergillus – a fungus that grows on plants if they are not stored or dried properly.

Inhaling aspergillus can cause a wide range of health problems, including coughing up blood, asthma attacks, headaches, weight loss and in extreme cases, death.

There were a total of 13 products subject to mandatory recalls, including Tyson Undisputed Cannabis Flower from Northern Emerald, a brand promoted by professional boxer Mike Tyson.

The DCC first issued a recall in January for the Gelato Orangeade hybrid cannabis flower and twelve others between February 21 and May 17, citing that they contained aspergillus.

Other affected cannabis products included JC Rad Flower, UpNorth 3.5 gram flower and LAX Packs Premium Flower.

The toxic fungus commonly grows on decaying vegetation, stored grains and marijuana leaves in conditions where temperatures hover around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

When inhaled, aspergillus spores can colonize in the lungs, leading to the formation of a fungal ball, also called pulmonary aspergilloma.

While this may be asymptomatic, it can also cause those affected to chronically cough up blood or lead to fatal bleeding, according to Biomerieuxa leader in in vitro diagnostics and microbiology testing.

Pulmonary aspergilloma can also occur in the brain, kidneys, or other organs and is treated by undergoing surgery to remove the infection or by embolization, a procedure in which a needle is inserted to block blood flow.

The toxic fungus grows on plants if they are not stored or dried properly. Consumers experiencing symptoms are advised to contact their doctor if they experience symptoms including coughing up blood, asthma attacks or severe allergies

UpNorth told DailyMail.com that it only sells products that have “passed the most stringent testing protocols” and that the now-recalled 3.5 gram flour had already passed the DCC test when it was released. regulation.

“The DCC later selected a sample of the flower from a pharmacy, retested the flower and recalled the product months after release,” the company said, adding: “UpNorth disagrees with the secondary testing methodology and was not informed of the standards used in this test.’

The DCC has not reported any serious health concerns associated with the affected cannabis products, but the mandatory recall means there is a serious health risk to consumers.

Consumers who have purchased or used the products are advised to contact their doctor immediately if they experience any side effects or symptoms and check the UID of the package to confirm if it was part of the recall.

If the IUD corresponds to a recalled product, the DCC told consumers to throw it away themselves or return it to the retailer for proper disposal.

The initial recalls claimed the mold was the only problem with the products, but when the DCC said on April 19 it was recalling Flagship Distribution’s 8 Track 1.0 Gram Pre-roll product, there was yet another problem.

Not only did the product contain aspergillus, but the label also stated that it contained more THC than it actually had.

Créme Genetics posted the obligatory retrieve order for its Strawberry Cone batch weed, called the C-Creme Infused Pre-roll.

The company reported that ‘the batch contains aspergillus and therefore poses a health risk to consumers.

‘In addition, the party incorrectly labeled the THC content of the cannabis product, which also made it counterfeit and misbranded.’

The label advertised that the cannabis package contained 35.2 percent THC, but the DCC found it contained only 19.8 percent.

The drastic variance in the stated THC is illegal under California law, which only allows a 10 percent difference – meaning the product should have only contained a difference of 38.7 or 31.7 percent.

News of California’s weed recall comes less than a year after the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued a recall for cannabis flower after it tested positive for aspergillus and heavy metals, including cadmium and mercury.

They were identified during a routine audit of inventory in Oregon’s cannabis tracking system last June.

The agency found that the affected products were sold to 75 different marijuana retailers between January and June 2023.

The sale of recreational marijuana is currently allowed in 24 US states, while 38 states allow its use for medicinal purposes.

Marijuana is still labeled as a Schedule I substance – the same category as drugs like heroin, ecstasy and LSD.

However, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced plans earlier this week to “reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would put it in the same class as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine and anabolic steroids.”

DailyMail.com has contacted the California DCC and several companies that sold the recalled product for comment.