Medical Cannabis Products Recalled in Maryland After Bacterial Contamination
State Regulators Issue Warning to Consumers
Maryland cannabis regulators issued a statewide recall Tuesday for medical cannabis edibles produced by Vireo Health after later testing revealed bacterial contamination. The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) said several batches of HiColor Max Chocolate Milk sold in dispensaries between July and September failed quality checks for total coliforms, bacteria that can signal unsanitary conditions during production or handling.
The recall affects multiple retailers across the state, including both Vireo’s own Green Goods dispensaries and independent shops. Regulators have urged consumers to immediately stop using the product and check batch numbers to determine if their purchases are part of the recall.
Dispensaries Affected Across Maryland
According to MCA, the recalled HiColor Max Chocolate Milk products were sold at the following locations:
- Green Goods dispensaries in Baltimore, Rockville and Frederick
- Mana in Edgewater
- Summit Wellness in Catonsville
- Kip Dispensary in Cockeysville
- The Apothecarium in Salisbury
- Green Point locations in Laurel, Linthicum and Millersville
- Caroline Pharma
The products were distributed between July 5 and Sept. 16. Regulators advised consumers to look for a “production batch number” under the dispensary name or package number to verify whether their product is affected.
Health Risks and Consumer Guidance
While total coliforms are not a specific strain of harmful bacteria, their presence indicates that contamination may have occurred during manufacturing, storage, or handling. This raises the potential for consumer exposure to pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal illness.
The MCA advised that anyone who believes they purchased an affected product should stop using it immediately, return it to the retailer, and report any adverse reactions to state regulators. Consumers experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are encouraged to seek medical attention.
Cannabis Recalls Often Come Too Late
Product recalls are not new to the cannabis industry, but they often occur after products have already been consumed. A 2023 analysis by MJBizDaily found that most marijuana product recalls happen weeks or months after items reach consumers, making it difficult to fully protect public health.
In Maryland’s case, the affected edibles were sold for more than two months before the recall was issued. Industry observers note that while safety testing requirements exist, delays in detection or reporting can limit the effectiveness of recalls.
Maryland’s Growing Cannabis Market
Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2013 and expanded to adult-use cannabis sales in July 2023. The combined medical and adult-use markets are expected to generate as much as $1.2 billion in sales by 2025, according to projections in the MJBiz Factbook.
With rapid growth has come increasing scrutiny of product safety and quality controls. Regulators emphasize that while recalls are disruptive, they are also evidence that oversight systems are functioning to protect consumers.
Protecting Consumer Trust in a New Market
For Maryland’s cannabis sector, the recall highlights the importance of rigorous production standards and ongoing monitoring. As more consumers turn to cannabis products for both medical and recreational purposes, consistent enforcement of safety rules will be key to maintaining public trust.
While the immediate priority is ensuring consumers discard and return potentially contaminated items, the broader challenge will be preventing similar incidents in a marketplace expected to expand quickly over the next several years.
For now, state regulators continue to urge vigilance, reminding consumers to check batch numbers and report any adverse health effects promptly.
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