Maine cannabis regulators issue third product recall since September

The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy on Thursday issued another product recall, citing potentially unsafe levels of mold and yeast in a marijuana flower strain called The Soap in four shops in Bethel, Biddeford and Sanford.

The recall is only the third in the state’s history, following earlier recalls in September and October, despite the state’s recreational marijuana market having launched in 2020, the Portland Press Herald reported.

The recalled cannabis flower was sold in four one-eighth-ounce batches between Oct. 11 and Oct. 24 and was produced by Leb City Greeneries, according to a press release from the OCP.

The unsafe mold and yeast levels came to the attention of regulators as part of a data investigation into “irregularities” found in mandatory lab tests being audited by the OCP, according to the release. The flower was sold at Brilliant Buds, Friendly Fire, Green Truck Farms and Stoner & Co.

Consumers can return the products in question to the shop where purchased, but are advised by the OCP not to smoke it, given the dangerously high levels of contamination.

More information about the recall can be found at the OCP website.

The compliance investigation that led to all three recalls is “ongoing,” according to the OCP.

The first recall in September affected one strain and three types of pre-rolls from Cannabis Cured, also for unsafe mold and yeast levels, which were sold at seven dispensaries between Aug. 27 and Sept. 9. The second recall was for flower, pre-rolls and blunts made by Nova Farms and sold in 14 dispensaries, again for unsafe mold and yeast levels, as well as microbial contamination.