Arizona Recalls Weed Products Over Salmonella Concerns & More Pot Updates In MT, MA & CT

Arizona: Third Recall Of Cannabis Products This Summer: Salmonella 

Cannabis shops are voluntarily recalling edibles products worrying they might be contaminated with salmonella bacteria, writes MjBizDaily.

Licensing inspector for the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) noticed the potential contamination and notified the producer Nirvana Center Dispensaries. The products recalled are Cloud 9 marijuana-infused edibles under batch number C9G04102023.

The news comes on the heels of another recall of products sold by Grow Sciences and Soothing Options, and advising those who have purchased Divinity and MAC products from Grow Sciences and Gelato 41 from Soothing Options to dispose of them due to Aspergillus contamination.

See Also: High Alert: Arizona And Colorado Issue Recall Of Marijuana Products, Citing Contamination Concerns

Montana: Investors Challenge State Law Requiring Cannabis Owners To Be Residents

Tom Reed and his father, Jerry Reed of Montana are suing state regulators in an attempt to overturn the state law that demands cannabis owners must be residents reported Helen Air.

In two separate filings, one in federal and the other in state court against the Department of Revenue, they argue that the residency requirement is against the state's Constitution  that amounts to “economic protectionism.”

The two men say they invested $2.2 million in a Montana-based marijuana business called MBM Management and Consulting, which fell on hard times and the Reeds bought to save their investment.

They reached out to the Cannabis Control Division seeking business transaction records, which led to the Divison’s discovery that they are non-residents. This began the process of potentially revoking their business license.

The state’s response is due Aug.22.

This is not the first lawsuit against residency requirements in the marijuana space. Variscite NY One, Inc., a Michigan-based plaintiff, took legal action after being denied a Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) license by the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) due to concerns over ownership eligibility. The New York Cannabis Control Board reached a significant settlement in this lawsuit. 

See Also: Montana Lawmakers Defy The Governor, Marijuana Tax Revenue For Habitat Improvement Programs At Stake

Connecticut: Adult-Use Sales Reach Record High In July

The Department of Consumer Protection revealed preliminary cannabis sales data Thursday showing combined (adult-use plus medical) sales hit $23.6 million in July (from 1st till 30th).

The market garnered $13 million in sales of 324,117 products, while medical marijuana sold 279,240 products worth $10.6 million. The average product price for medical marijuana patients was $39.66 in July, while the average price of adult-use products was $39.92. Cannabis or flower accounted for 52% of sales, while vapes made 31%, and edibles 11%.

This was the seventh time in a row that adult-use sales broke a record.

See Also: Recreational Weed Outshines Medical Cannabis In Connecticut: Who's Benefitting From Record Sales?

Massachusetts: Cannabis Commission Chair Apologizes For Saying The Board Is In Crisis

Shannon O’Brien apologized for saying the Commission was in a crisis” after its director Shawn Collins resigned. This occurred on the same day as a new record of $136 million for July cannabis sales was announced. June marijuana sales accounted for $132.8 million, while medical marijuana reached $19 million during the same period.

“I want to begin by apologizing to my fellow commissioners regarding the way I made an announcement before I left our July 28th meeting. I know I caught you off guard and I know that there was some concern about that,” O’Brien said Thursday, reported Boston Herald.

“At the time I believed I was alerting you to an important eventuality that I only discovered the day before,” said O’Brein, who earns $181,722 annually as commission chair. “I was not graceful in doing it. I apologize for what I did.”

After the “crisis” remark some members of the commission held a press conference denying the statement.

“For me I’m not sure I would agree to say there is a crisis,” commissioner Bruce Stebbins said, before confirming that some cannabis retailers are struggling with low prices and tough competition.

“There are a lot of pieces,” he said. “We have a lot of work on our plate.”

See Also: Massachusetts Cannabis Regulator Under Scrutiny: Who's Watching The Watchmen?

The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, is returning to Chicago this Sept 27-28 for its 17th edition. Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis investment and branding.

Photo: Courtesy of Ndispensable on Unsplash