State suspends Walled Lake marijuana license

The state’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) suspended its first marijuana-related business license last Friday, citing unreliable testing and reporting at an Oakland County laboratory.

According to a complaint from the MRA, some marijuana products tested at Iron Laboratories in Walled Lake contained higher-than-allowed levels of certain pesticides, and the laboratory repeatedly reported test results the attorney general’s office deemed “implausible.”

https://www.michiganadvance.com/blog/brisbo-to-lead-new-marijuana-regulatory-agency/

The MRA also issued a bulletin describing the results of its investigation, saying, “Patients and caregivers should use caution when using products tested by Iron Laboratories,” but that the “MRA has not been made aware of any adverse product reactions in conjunction with product tested by Iron Laboratories and is not recalling any marijuana product at this time.”

State Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) called for stronger testing and standards for marijuana businesses in a statement Thursday.

“There have been too many recalls and headlines about marijuana products tainted with mold, pesticides and other dangerous chemicals, and we cannot depend solely on testing facilities to make sure products are safe for human consumption,” VanderWall said. “When testing alone is the safeguard, public health is at risk when testing fails. Good Manufacturing Practices combined with strong product testing is the best protection for human health and safety.”

Earlier this month, three Michigan communities voted to ban marijuana-related businesses from their towns in the wake of last year’s legalization of the substance, including the Southeast Michigan city of Highland Park. More than 500 communities across the state have followed suit.