Michigan Cannabis Company Recalls 26,000 Vape Cartridges Containing Banned Additive

A Michigan marijuana company is voluntarily recalling more than 26,000 vaporizer cartridges after state regulators determined the products contained a banned food additive. The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) issued the recall notice on August 12, warning consumers to stop using the affected products immediately.

The recall involves several flavors of Motor City Cannacarts and RIPZ vape cartridges sold after November 1, 2024. Laboratory testing revealed the presence of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, a substance prohibited in marijuana vape products under Michigan law.

MCT Oil Linked to Past Health Concerns in Vaping Products

MCT oil is a food-grade additive derived from coconut or palm kernel oil. While commonly used in nutritional supplements and cooking, it has been banned in cannabis vape products due to potential respiratory risks when inhaled.

Investigators previously detected MCT oil in some patients during the 2019 EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury) outbreak, a nationwide health crisis linked to vaping. While MCT oil was not the main cause of EVALI, health officials have cautioned against inhaling it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified vitamin E acetate as the primary culprit in the 2019 outbreak, which caused at least 68 deaths and more than 2,800 hospitalizations across the United States.

Details of the Affected Vape Cartridges

The CRA’s recall notice lists six products produced by Sky Cannabis that may contain MCT oil:

• Motor City Cannacarts – Georgia Pie
• Motor City Cannacarts – Confetti Cake
• RIPZ – Peach Cobbler
• RIPZ – Wedding Cake
• RIPZ – Ice Cream Man
• RIPZ – Tropic Thunder

Consumers who purchased any of these vape cartridges after November 1, 2024, are urged to check the Metrc tag number printed on their package label. These numbers can be compared against the official recall list on the CRA’s website to confirm whether a product is affected.

How Retailers and Consumers Should Respond

According to the CRA, Sky Cannabis has already identified cannabis retailers that stocked the recalled cartridges and is working to recover and properly dispose of the products. Dispensaries are required to post signs notifying customers about the recall and instructing them to either return the cartridges or dispose of them safely.

Consumers who have experienced any adverse reactions from using these products should report them to the CRA immediately. Reports can be submitted via the Adverse Reaction Form on the agency’s website or by calling (517) 284-8599.

State regulations require cannabis licensees to notify the CRA within one business day if they become aware of any adverse reactions linked to their products, and to enter that information into the Metrc tracking system.

Michigan’s Second Cannabis Product Recall of 2025

This incident marks the second cannabis product recall in Michigan this year, underscoring ongoing concerns about product safety and supply chain oversight in the state’s regulated marijuana market.

Product recalls in the cannabis industry present unique challenges. Because marijuana products often sell quickly and are consumed shortly after purchase, many recalls occur too late to retrieve significant amounts of product from consumers. This can make it difficult for regulators to prevent exposure once a safety issue is discovered.

A Continuing Focus on Vape Product Safety

The Michigan CRA and other state cannabis regulators across the country have tightened oversight of vape products in recent years. Following the 2019 EVALI crisis, many states banned certain additives — including vitamin E acetate, MCT oil, and polyethylene glycol — from use in cannabis vaporizers.

While most licensed producers comply with these rules, occasional violations still surface, prompting recalls like the one announced this week. Public health experts emphasize that consumers should only purchase marijuana products from licensed retailers and remain alert for recall notices.