Colorado Regulators Issue Public Warning After Statewide Cannabis Vape Recall

Colorado state cannabis regulators are alerting consumers to a significant marijuana product recall after contaminated vaporizer devices were sold at 18 licensed stores across the state. The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) announced on August 7 that Clearview Industries is voluntarily recalling specific batches of its Nerd Bar 5G marijuana oil vaporizers. The affected products were available for purchase between July 1 and July 29.

Testing Detects Pesticide Contamination Above Legal Limits

The recall was triggered after state compliance testing detected three pesticides in the vaporizers at levels exceeding Colorado’s strict cannabis safety thresholds. The pesticides identified were:

• Bifenazate – commonly used to control spider mites in agriculture but prohibited above certain levels in cannabis products.
  
• Fluopyram – a fungicide used in crops that can pose health risks with prolonged exposure
  
• Myclobutanil – a fungicide that, when heated, can release potentially harmful compounds.
  

Each of these chemicals can present health concerns, particularly when inhaled in vaporized form. The MED’s testing results prompted immediate action to protect public health and ensure that consumers are not exposed to unsafe products.

Stores Across Colorado Sold the Affected Vaporizer Products

According to the MED advisory, the Nerd Bar 5G devices in question were distributed widely, appearing on shelves at both independent dispensaries and well-known retail chains. The list of stores selling the contaminated products includes:

• Reefer Madness – Denver
  
• Fired Cannabis – seven locations in Denver
  
• Flower Power Botanicals – Fort Collins
  
• Trees – Denver
  
• Social Cannabis Dispensary – Denver
  
• Terrapin Care Station – Aurora
  
• Doc’s Apothecary – two locations in Denver and Northglenn
  
• Sweet Leaf Pioneer – Eagle
  
• Clearance Cannabis Co. – Fort Collins
  
• Silver Stem Fine Cannabis – Sheridan
  
• The Green Solution – Edgewater
  

This broad distribution means that potentially hundreds of affected units may already be in consumers’ possession.

No Reported Health Incidents but Precaution Urged

As of the recall announcement, the MED stated that no official reports of adverse health effects linked to the contaminated vaporizers had been received. However, state officials emphasized that the absence of reported illness does not eliminate potential health risks.

Consumers who have already used the product and experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory irritation, or other unusual effects are advised to seek medical attention immediately. Any suspected adverse reaction should also be reported to the MED through the agency’s online reporting form.

What Consumers Should Do with Recalled Products

The MED has advised anyone who purchased the recalled Nerd Bar 5G vaporizers to take immediate action. Consumers should:

1. Stop using the product immediately to prevent possible exposure to pesticide contamination.
   
2. Destroy the product or return it to the dispensary where it was purchased for proper disposal.
   
3. Retain proof of purchase, if available, to assist regulators in tracking the affected batches.
   

This approach ensures that recalled items do not remain in circulation and that regulators can measure the effectiveness of the recall effort.

Cannabis Product Recalls Becoming More Common in Colorado

This latest action marks the ninth cannabis product recall issued in Colorado in 2025. The reasons for previous recalls have ranged from unacceptable pesticide residues to unsafe levels of yeast and mold contamination.

Despite Colorado’s mature legal cannabis market and established regulatory framework, the MED acknowledges that product safety challenges persist. The agency regularly reminds both producers and testing labs that compliance with state safety standards is mandatory at all stages of production, from cultivation to retail sale.

Recalls Often Come Too Late to Recover Contaminated Products

One of the ongoing challenges for regulators is the timing of product recalls. In many cases, cannabis products subject to a recall have already been sold and consumed before testing identifies safety violations. This lag reduces the ability to recover contaminated products from the market and highlights the importance of preventive measures during cultivation, extraction, and manufacturing.

Public health advocates argue for more frequent random testing and stricter penalties for repeated violations to discourage negligence or unsafe practices within the industry.

Potential Health Risks of the Identified Pesticides

The pesticides detected in the recalled vaporizers each carry their own set of potential health impacts:

• Bifenazate – Prolonged inhalation exposure can cause respiratory irritation and other health effects.
  
• Fluopyram – Associated with liver toxicity in animal studies, raising concerns about long-term exposure.
  
• Myclobutanil – Known to release toxic hydrogen cyanide gas when heated, a serious risk when present in vaporizer products.
  

The combination of these substances in a product intended for inhalation increases the urgency of regulatory action and underscores the potential dangers of improper pesticide use in cannabis cultivation.

Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division Reinforces Oversight

The MED has used this recall to reinforce its commitment to strict enforcement of cannabis safety standards. The agency routinely conducts compliance checks, random product sampling, and investigations into potential violations.

In addition to issuing recalls, the MED has the authority to impose fines, suspend licenses, or even revoke licenses from businesses that fail to meet safety requirements. While enforcement actions can be costly for businesses, regulators maintain that consumer safety is the top priority.

What This Recall Means for the Cannabis Industry

The recall is a reminder to cannabis operators across Colorado that regulatory compliance is not optional and that product safety violations can have swift consequences. For businesses, recalls can lead to lost revenue, damaged reputations, and strained customer trust.

For consumers, the incident underscores the importance of paying attention to recall notices and understanding that even products from licensed dispensaries can be subject to contamination. In a competitive and highly regulated industry, building and maintaining trust requires constant vigilance from every player in the supply chain.

Moving Forward: Strengthening Cannabis Product Safety

Industry experts believe that preventing future recalls will require a combination of tighter oversight, more rigorous lab testing protocols, and better communication between regulators and cannabis businesses. Suggestions include:

• Increasing the frequency of random compliance testing.
  
• Establishing uniform testing standards across all labs.
  
• Implementing batch tracking systems for faster recall execution.
  
• Providing more consumer education about product safety and recalls.
  

As Colorado’s cannabis market continues to evolve, ensuring product safety will remain a top priority for regulators, industry leaders, and public health officials alike.