Concerns have been raised about the safety and quality of medical cannabis products in Maine following two separate studies. The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy found that 45% of 127 medical cannabis samples failed to meet recreational-use standards, primarily due to the presence of banned substances. In a separate study by Nova Analytic Labs, about 21% of roughly 1,400 medical cannabis samples would have failed the pesticide tests designed for recreational-use products, a sharp contrast to the less than 4% failure rate in the recreational market. Substances posing potential health risks, such as myclobutanil and bifenthrin, were frequently detected.
While the medical cannabis sector generated $305 million in revenue last year, these findings underscore the need for immediate action to ensure patient safety. Proposed safety measures, including mandatory testing and a comprehensive tracking system, have faced industry resistance. Nevertheless, Maine officials are actively discussing ways to improve regulation, and a detailed report from the Office of Cannabis Policy is expected to be released soon, which will likely be a significant step in enhancing the safety of medical cannabis products in the state.
Find the full story from Portland Press Herald on their website here: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/21/close-to-half-of-maines-medical-cannabis-may-contain-pesticides-mold-officials-say/
