Medical Cannabis Patient Advisory
OCP received a patient complaint in April about an adverse health reaction from cannabis flower purchased at Northwoods Caregiver, LLC in the town of Shirley Mills. OCP conducted an investigation that included testing the flower alleged to have caused the adverse reaction. Those test results showed unsafe levels of yeast and mold in the strain “Blackberry Mint” and unsafe levels of the pesticide Piperonyl Butoxide in the strain “Banana Punch”. Further testing of those strains as part of OCP’s investigation showed more unsafe levels of the pesticide Piperonyl Butoxide.
The photos above show medical cannabis flower of the strains “Blackberry Mint” and “Banana Punch” as sold and packaged by Northwoods Caregiver.
Inhaling cannabis containing unsafe levels of mold can lead to sinus issues, allergies, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue. Inhaling cannabis containing unsafe levels of pesticides can cause respiratory irritation, neurological effects, and/or flu-like symptoms. Please see below for more information on the toxicity and health impacts of each contaminant detected at unsafe levels in the Northwoods Caregiver products listed above. Any patient who has ingested these products and is experiencing symptoms or adverse reactions should contact a healthcare provider immediately or dial 911 if there is a medical emergency.
Additional information related to this advisory is available here.
Concentration, Toxicity, and Health Impacts of Cannabis Contaminants
Below please find a list of contaminants (analytes) that Northwoods Caregiver’s flower samples would have failed testing for per the Adult Use Cannabis Program testing standards.
Strain |
Analyte |
Concentration |
Adult Use Pass/Fail Threshold |
Times (x) the Adult Use Pass/Fail Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Banana Punch (Sample 1) |
Piperonyl Butoxide |
4.81 ppm |
2 ppm |
2.4x |
Banana Punch (Sample 2) |
Piperonyl Butoxide |
5.85 ppm |
2 ppm |
2.9x |
Blackberry Mint (Sample 1) |
Total Yeast and Mold |
180,000 cfu |
10,000 cfu |
18x |
Blackberry Mint (Sample 2) |
Piperonyl Butoxide |
3.81 ppm |
2 ppm |
1.9x |
Below please find information about the toxicity and health impacts of each contaminant (analyte) listed above. Any patient who has ingested these products and is experiencing symptoms or adverse reactions should contact a healthcare provider immediately or dial 911 if there is a medical emergency.
Piperonyl Butoxide (synergist): Relatively low toxicity to humans (Level 4 - harmful). Inhalation may cause irritation of the respiratory tract.
Yeast and Mold: Common effects include respiratory issues (asthma, coughing, sneezing), skin rashes, headaches, and fatigue. Mold can cause or worsen asthma and chronic lung conditions, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. People with compromised immune systems, allergies, or pre-existing asthma are more susceptible to severe reactions.
Biproducts of mold inhalation (Mycotoxins) may cause different types of poisoning and, consequently, diverse health problems (from acute to chronic problems) in humans. Long term exposure can cause immune suppression. Multiple mycotoxins are carcinogens.