Michigan marijuana may be contaminated with mold, testing labs warn

Marijuana for sale in Michigan is contaminated with mold and yeast, a group of cannabis testing labs is warning.

Moreover, the state is no longer allowing a specific marijuana testing method.

But the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association said Wednesday it disagrees with the lab group’s findings, saying the state’s move to pause one of the methods to test for contaminants was made “out of an abundance of caution,” but “there’s no evidence” the pot is actually tainted.

“From our perspective, there has not been any indication there is contaminated product in the system,” said Robin Schneider, the association’s executive director. The issue, she added, is an “ongoing scientific debate” and not a public safety matter.

Because lab tests were not done with regulatory oversight, the results are questionable, Schneider said.

Pot contamination is a serious concern. Pathogenic microorganisms on cannabis can be harmful if inhaled, especially if taken as a medicinal product by a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy who may have a weakened immune system.

Last year, state regulators recalled marijuana products sold at dispensaries in Detroit and Kalamazoo after the products failed lab tests for mold and bacteria, and in Lansing because of chemical contamination. [Read more at Detroit Free Press]