Health Canada is about to start randomly testing of medical marijuana products from all of its licensed producers, especially looking for the presence banned pesticides. Here, in a timeline, are the events that lead to this Health Canada decision.
Late last year: Two of Canada’s licensed producers—Organigram of Moncton, N.B., and Mettrum of Toronto—voluntarily recall products because they contained myclobutanil, bifenazate and pyrethrins, three chemicals that are prohibited in the production of tobacco and marijuana.
January 2017: Nearly all of Organigram’s products sold in 2016 were pulled in a higher-level voluntary recall. Product recalls affected about 25,000 customers in total and some reports of illnesses could mean the possibility of a class action lawsuit down the road.
Last Tuesday evening: Health Canada releases an additional statement announcing a new measure beyond the recall, saying that it will begin random testing of medical cannabis products produced by all licensed producers. The testing will specifically target pest control products in the production of medical cannabis. “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,” reads the statement.
Now: A lawsuit is yet to be filed, but CBC News in Canada reports that more than 90 medical marijuana patients have contacted a medical malpractice law firm in Halifax.
