Missouri’s Largest Cannabis Recall – Missouri is facing its largest cannabis product recall to date, with state regulators pulling 135,000 marijuana products off shelves—more than twice the number recalled during the state’s first major incident a year ago.
Nick Rinella, CEO of Hippos Cannabis, expressed his disbelief, saying, “I’ve never seen recalls of this magnitude in any other state. This is kind of unprecedented.” The recall has forced businesses across Missouri to quarantine thousands of vapes, edibles, and pre-rolled joints as they await further instructions from state authorities.
The Scope of the Recall
The recall was initiated in two stages. The first, on August 6, targeted 2,650 products from NGWMO LLC, a Marceline-based cultivation facility. These items were found to have undergone premature testing before being sold to consumers.
Just two days later, the second recall notice involved a staggering 133,000 products from Springfield-based C&C Manufacturing LLC. The issue? Improper tracking within the state’s “seed to sale” system, Metrc, which meant regulators couldn’t verify compliance with health and safety standards.
Impact on the Industry
The recall has put a significant strain on cannabis businesses in the state. Some facilities are struggling to find space to store quarantined products, while others are still dealing with the fallout from last year’s recall involving Delta Extraction. This ongoing situation has heightened stress levels among operators, who are now concerned about both the present recall and the unresolved issues from the past.
Mark Hendren, president of Flora Farms, emphasized the logistical challenges, particularly for smaller facilities. “If you have product that you have to quarantine, it makes it difficult space-wise to bring in other inventory to keep the business moving,” he explained.
A Widespread Problem
C&C Manufacturing specializes in producing THC distillate, which is used in a wide range of products, including vapes and edibles. The recall affects multiple brands, such as Rove, Zen, and Packarillos, and includes products made over the past year as companies ramped up for recreational sales.
Although the products were properly tested after being manufactured, the lack of compliance in the initial tracking process has led to this extensive recall. Despite the challenges, no adverse reactions from consumers have been reported so far.
Looking Ahead
The Division of Cannabis Regulation advises consumers to stop using the recalled products and return them to dispensaries. The products will not count against a patient’s purchase limit. Additionally, any adverse reactions should be reported to the state.
As Missouri’s cannabis industry continues to navigate these challenges, the recall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance and the potential consequences of lapses in oversight.
