“I’ve never met a baked good I didn’t like.”

 

---

Going to pot

 

We all know to stay away from the brown acid, but some Colorado-grown pot has recently come under scrutiny as well – not for ill psychotropic effects but illegal pesticides.

 

Earlier this week, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and Colorado Department of Agriculture issued a recall of medical and recreational pot grown by RR Services and Advanced Medical Alternatives, both of Denver. The public health advisory warned of “potentially unsafe pesticide residues on medical and retail marijuana plant material and marijuana products.”

 

The two growers were the latest in a dozen recalls in the last month. The tests are being conducted in accordance with an executive order by Gov. John Hickenlooper in November declaring cannabis grown with unapproved pesticides is a public health risk.

 

Although the EPA governs use of pesticides nationwide, marijuana is still seen as a schedule 1 narcotic in the eyes of the feds. Therefore, EPA has neither assessed potential risks nor authorized pesticides for use on marijuana. In absence, the state of Colorado has developed its own standards, in accordance with the Colorado Pesticide Applicator’s Act.

 

Since testing began in February, 12 growers have faced recalls for using “off-label” pesticides, i.e. using unapproved pesticides or using them in a manner inconsistent with labeling. Some of the illegal pesticides found include Spiromesifin, Avermectin and Myclobutanil, the latter of which is a fungicide considered “slightly hazardous” by the World Health Organization and a “Bad Actor” by the Pesticide Action Network, according to the Denver Post's "The Cannabist."

 

Other companies that have seen recalls include: Dr. Releaf Inc. and High Mountain Medz, dba Levity Wellness (Colorado Springs); Back to the Garden Health & Wellness Center LLC, High Street Growers LLC and CNW LLC, dba Artisinal Medicinals (Denver); Headquarters Emporium and Dispensary LLC (Lyons); Skinny Pineapple Inc, dba The Farm (Boulder); Sunrise Solutions LLC (Baily); Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine Inc. (Golden); XG Platinum Corporation (Weld County.)

 

Affected products include marijuana flower and trim, concentrates and infused-products. All marijuana sold should be affixed with a label and license number. To check your stash, go to: www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/ marijuanaenforcement#. Consumers who have these products are asked to return them to the store or medical center where they bought them for “proper disposal.”