Why it matters: A cannabis product being sold at a dispensary in Nevada was flagged for fungus contamination following lab testing data. Consumers are advised to dispose of any flagged cannabis products that could be potentially harmful to prevent any infections in the lungs or brain.
What they are saying: The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board issued a Public Health and Safety Bulletin advising people who buy cannabis to avoid or take caution when consuming a particular product that tested positive for traces of fungus. The identified product is a half ounce bag of flower from Phantom Farms, the strain Dancing Monkey, that was sold between May 9 and May 21, 2023, at the Silver State Relief Fernley in Fernley, Nevada.
The big picture: It is essential to test cannabis products for contaminants, including fungus and unapproved fungicides, to ensure safe consumption, preventing any health issues. Additionally, not all fungus that can form on cannabis plants is necessarily harmful. Beneficial fungus such as mycorrhizae plays a vital role in the plant’s growth and development.
What to watch: Consumers must be vigilant and check for any cannabis product recalls that are regularly updated on the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board website to avoid consuming contaminated or harmful cannabis products.
My take: It is critical to monitor cannabis products’ safety, and testing for various types of contaminants must become a standard procedure to ensure consumers’ safe consumption. It is also evident that consuming cannabis products can offer multiple benefits; however, safety must remain a top priority.
