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OLCC New Chair Charts Commission Course Change

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“Agency will do better and our partners can help”

OREGON: The recently appointed Chair of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) made clear the agency will change its ways but will have to work to restore public trust in the agency. Chair Marvin Révoal (Ruh-vol) set the tone for change at the start of the Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

“We have very strong supporters, not only in this room, but throughout the country,” said OLCC Chair Marvin Révoal. “Many of you, and many of them have reached out to us to say that and to offer help. And we’re accepting that help. We understand mistakes have been made, we’re correcting those mistakes, and we’re continuing to move forward.”

The Board also received a progress report on the agency’s new warehouse and office complex planned for Canby, appointed two new agents to run independently operated liquor stores, and took action on rules affecting the cannabis industry. In addition, Commissioners approved several stipulated settlement agreements with alcohol licensees, and discussed the need for training on the roles and responsibilities of the Board and agency staff.

Révoal’s remarks came in the wake of recent disclosures that some agency leaders had set aside rare and hard-to-find liquor for their own purchase. Governor Kotek appointed Révoal as the Chair on February 24, 2023, with a directive to the OLCC’s new leadership to get the agency back on track. The Board had previously appointed Craig Prins as the agency’s interim Executive Director at its monthly meeting on February 15, 2023.

The Board indicated it doesn’t want progress on the agency’s projects to come to a halt. That includes sticking to the agency’s timeline to build a new warehouse for distilled spirits, since the current warehouse – built in the 1950’s – has reached its capacity.

“Stakeholders are very pleased with the fact that the organization is moving forward and staying on track for the warehouse because they understand the business opportunity and the needs,” said Révoal. “They want to support that and support us in every way. We’re on track and our partners are happy about it. They told us that point blank. They see what the future looks like and they agree with our direction.”

The Board learned that OLCC, along with the state’s Department of Administrative Services, has signed a contract with a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) to oversee the design and build of the warehouse project. The CMGC, JE Dunn Construction, will move the project forward in collaboration with the architect that designed the warehouse-office complex.

In other action, the Board appointed William Minihan to operate the independently owned liquor store in Eugene at 1530 Coburg Road. Another small business owner, Harpreet Sangha, (AJS Investment LLC) was selected by the Board to run the Springfield Gateway liquor store at 812 Beltline Road.

The Board also initiated rule-making to extend the deadline for OLCC marijuana licensees to comply with artificially derived CBN requirements. In addition, Commissioners finalized “batch tagging” rules for marijuana plants that will reduce the number of seed-to-sale tags used to track marijuana in the OLCC [regulated market] cannabis tracking system. The batch tag rules, which will lower costs for producer licensees and medical marijuana growers, take effect beginning January 1, 2024.

To help with the agency’s course correction, individual Commissioners expressed a desire to better understand the difference between Board and staff roles and responsibilities; that could include agency-wide training on: ethical conduct for public officials, public records requirements, as well as overviews on how each agency department operates. The Board plans to review a syllabus of training options at an upcoming meeting.

The Commission also ratified three stipulated settlement agreements for alcohol licensees. Detailed information on the specific cases below can be found on the OLCC website:

Oregon Governor Kotek names new Chair for OLCC

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OREGON: Governor Tina Kotek has chosen Marvin Révoal as the Chair of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). Révoal’s appointment takes effect immediately.

“Marvin Révoal is a respected community leader, and I trust that he is committed to leading the commission through this time of change and course correction,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “As Interim Director Prins evaluates and enacts the necessary changes to advance accountability and transparency, Chair Révoal will provide valuable leadership to help ensure those changes take hold.”

Révoal has served as a member of the OLCC Board of Commissioners for nine years, and has more than 30 years leadership experience in the commercial insurance industry. Previous to that Révoal had a career in law enforcement.

“I would like to thank the Governor for the trust she has placed in me and her continued support for OLCC,” said Chair Marvin Révoal. “I look forward to doing all that I can to help OLCC advance and fulfill the mission for which it was created. I believe in the agency and I believe in our control state model.”

The Board of Commissioners will function with six members until the Governor appoints a seventh member to the Commission, and that designee is approved through the Oregon Senate appointments process.

Chair Révoal will join OLCC interim Executive Director Craig Prins, who was appointed by the Board of Commissioners last week, to serve as the agency’s new leadership team. Both pledged to make the OLCC a model among alcohol control states, to continue to provide the state a stable source of revenue, and to be an engaged partner with Governor Kotek in her focus on addiction treatment and services.

“I look forward to working with Chair Révoal and the other Commissioners to establish greater accountability, institute rigorous oversight, and create transparent protocols for managing OLCC’s operations,” said Prins. “These are just some of the steps we must take in order to restore the public’s trust in this agency.”

Oregon Heavy Metal and Microbiological Contaminants Testing Effective March 1, 2023

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OREGON: The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) writes rules for testing cannabis that affect both the medical and adult use cannabis markets. This bulletin serves as a reminder that there are new cannabis tests that will be required starting March 1, 2023. You may review the testing rules, found in Chapter 333 Divisions 7 and 64, in full at healtheroregon.org/ommprules.

Any cannabis item harvested or manufactured on or after March 1, 2023, will need to be tested for heavy metals and microbiological contaminants in accordance with rule.

Medical Marijuana Tracking Program
Q: What “heavy metals” are being tested for?

A: The heavy metals compliance test will be looking for arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury.

Q: What “microbiological contaminants” are being tested for?

A: The microbiological contaminants compliance test will be looking for pathogenic Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger and A. terreus, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species.

Q: Can I composite for microbiological contaminants and heavy metals just like I can composite for pesticides?

A: These tests may be performed on composited samples of marijuana and usable marijuana just like what is allowed under current testing requirements.

Q: What happens when a batch fails for heavy metals?

A: If a sample from a batch of a marijuana, usable marijuana, finished inhalable cannabinoid product, or industrial hemp-derived vapor item fails heavy metal testing, the batch may not be remediated and must be destroyed in a manner specified by OHA, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), or the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

If a sample from a cannabinoid concentrate or extract fails heavy metal testing, the batch may be remediated using procedures that would reduce the concentration of heavy metals to less than the action level. As a reminder, dilution is not a form of remediation. A batch that is remediated must be re-sampled and re-tested for all required tests.

Q: What happens when a batch fails for microbiological contaminants?

A: If a sample from a batch of marijuana or usable marijuana fails microbiological contaminant testing, the batch may either be remediated using a sterilization process or be used to make a cannabinoid concentrate or extract if the processing method effectively sterilizes the batch, such as a method using a hydrocarbon solvent or CO2 extraction system.

If a sample from a batch of a cannabinoid concentrate, extract, finished inhalable cannabinoid product, or industrial hemp-derived vapor item fails microbiological contaminant testing, the batch may be further processed if the processing method effectively sterilizes the batch, such as a method using a hydrocarbon solvent or CO2 extraction system.

A batch that is remediated through a sterilization process as outlined above must be re-sampled and re-tested for all required tests.

A batch that fails microbiological contaminant testing after undergoing remediation through a sterilization process as outlined above must be destroyed in a manner specified by the OHA or OLCC.

Resources

Rules regarding heavy metal testing may be found under OAR 333-007-0415.

Rules regarding microbiological contaminants testing may be found under OAR 333-007-0390.

Rules regarding failed compliance tests may be found under OAR 333-007-0450.

For an outline of testing requirements for each marijuana item type see the testing guide.

Additional guidance documents may be found at healthoregon.org/marijuanatesting

Governor Tina Kotek recommends Craig Prins as Interim Director of Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

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Prins has served as inspector general of the Department of Corrections and executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission

OREGON: Governor Tina Kotek announced she is recommending that the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission appoint Craig Prins as interim director. The commission will meet on Wednesday, February 15, to consider this recommendation.

“Craig Prins brings the necessary experience in change management to correct the course of the commission and support the employees doing the work everyday,” Governor Kotek said. “He shares my commitment to accountability and transparency, and his appointment will create an opportunity to strengthen oversight, improve customer service, and begin to rebuild the public’s trust.”

Prins has over 25 years of experience in criminal justice and public safety. As the inspector general for the Oregon Department of Corrections since 2016, he has led the oversight of investigations, hearings, grievances and more, while also providing strategic planning and leadership for the agency.

He previously served as executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission from 2004 to 2014. Among other priorities, he coordinated Oregon’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), culminating in passage of HB 3194 in 2013 to help control prison population growth in Oregon. From 2014 to 2016, Prins was the director of research for the Public Safety Performance Project at Pew Charitable Trusts.

Prior to that, he was deputy director of the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training where he oversaw the investigations of cases submitted to the Board on Public Safety Standards for the revocation or denial of officer certifications. Prins also served as deputy district attorney for Multnomah County for four years.

“If appointed, I will implement the changes in leadership requested by the Governor, fully cooperate with the Department of Justice, and work collaboratively with OLCC’s dedicated workforce,” Craig Prins said. “I will lead with integrity, transparency and an unwavering commitment to serve Oregonians.”

The search for a permanent executive director will begin in the coming weeks and details will be announced as they are available.

OLCC Expands Recall of Cannabis Vape Products

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Cartridges contain prohibited additives 

OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is expanding the recall that was initially noticed on January 12th 2023. OLCC investigators have determined that three additional production batches of cannabis vape cartridges appear to contain prohibited additives.

The expanded recall includes vape cartridges that have been sold under the brand name Firefly Extracts or Smoke-Rite Wellness and were manufactured by Hillsboro-based Plank Road Laboratories, Inc., an OLCC licensed marijuana processor. The expanded recall encompasses three new production batches that were made into 10 total product lines. About 7000 units have been sold from these batches and about 500 units were still in the market.

The products dFF1o not conform to state standards regarding cannabis additives and therefore should not be sold. Production records indicate that the recalled items contain CBN, an artificially derived cannabinoid and CBC, a synthetic cannabinoid.

Under Oregon law, inhalable products like vape cartridges cannot contain artificially derived cannabinoids. Additionally, the synthetic CBC does not comply with OLCC requirements for non-cannabis additives in inhalable products, and is also prohibited under Oregon law.

The recall is expanded to the Firefly Extracts products identified below:

Product name: Firefly – “Purple Kush 8:1” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 05/27/2022 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 06/21/2022

Product name: Firefly – “Suver Haze” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 05/24/2022 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 03/11/2022

Product name: Firefly – “T-1” or “High CBD 8:1” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 05/19/2022 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 05/19/2022

Product name: Firefly – “Cherry Wife 8:1” or “High CBD Blend 8” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 09/09/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 02/13/2022

Product name: Firefly or Smoke-Rite Wellness – “Cherry Wife 1:1” or “High CBD Blend 1” or “High CBD Blend 1:1” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 09/09/2021 (Label ID 5658 or 344) | Sold starting 10/23/2021

Product name: Firefly or Smoke-Rite Wellness – “Cherry Wife 2:1” or “High CBD Blend 2” or “High CBD Blend 2:1” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 09/09/2021 (Label ID 5658 or 344) | Sold starting 12/12/2021

Product name: Firefly or Smoke-Rite Wellness – “Cherry Wife 10:1” or “High CBD Blend 10” or “High CBD Blend 10:1” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 07/27/2021 (Label ID 5658 or 344) | Sold starting 08/16/2021

Product name: Firefly – “El Jefe” or “High CBD Blend 0” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 07/15/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 07/28/2021

Product name: Firefly – “Sour Space Candy” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 05/03/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 05/09/2021

Product name: Firefly – “High CBD Blend 0” vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 12/1/2020 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 12/24/2020

FF2

Approximations of the recalled product packaging are attached at the bottom of this press release.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products are encouraged to destroy them. The OLCC has not received any health-related complaints from the use of the recalled products. Consumers with health-related concerns about a recalled product should contact the Oregon Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or their medical provider.

If consumers have other product related complaints related to this recall, they should notify the OLCC at olcc.recalls@oregon.gov and include any information they have, including the consumer’s name and phone number, or alternative means of contact.

Legal Marijuana Remains in Abundant Supply

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OLCC releases biennial report to Oregon’s Legislature

 

OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) today submitted to the Oregon Legislature the 2023 Marijuana Supply and Demand report reflecting the quantity of cannabis available in Oregon’s legal commercial market. This is the fourth biennial report produced by the OLCC, and it shows a similar pattern as in previous reports, that supply still outpaces demand.

In 2022, the demand for legal cannabis products was 63% of supply, compared to 52% of supply in 2021. This difference is likely a reflection of cannabis producers planting less crop in 2022 after a record harvest in 2021 led to plunging prices.

While the self-correction in the market has led to a closer balance in annual supply and demand, it also reveals the precarious economic position of Oregon’s cannabis industry. Declining prices combined with slower growth in consumer purchasing resulted in the first-ever decrease in sales, from $1.2 billion in 2021 to $994 million in 2022.

Declining wholesale and retail prices for usable marijuana can be attributed to the build-up of supply from previous years, and the slowdown in converting usable marijuana (flower) into more shelf-stable THC products like edibles, oil and tinctures. The leftover supply of both usable marijuana and value-added THC products is likely to continue the downward pressure on prices.

In a letter to legislators that accompanied the report, OLCC Executive Director Steve Marks observed that while steady improvements have been made to improve regulatory standards, reduce economic harm to the industry, and poise the state to be ready for legal inter-state commerce, federal barriers remain that continue to stifle the industry.

“Federal regulatory activity remains uncertain, and we must consider what public policy is needed to protect this nascent industry from an existential crisis in the face of federal inaction,” said Marks.

As indicated in previous Supply Demand reports Oregon’s recreational marijuana market has been able to withstand the whipsaw up and down cycles of the market. In the market’s current status, low prices have attracted consumers from the illicit market, which was an objective of legalization. However what’s been good for the consumer has put pressure on cannabis businesses to survive on low margins.

“We will look to the Governor and Legislature during the 2023 legislative session for direction on how to further strengthen our regulated marijuana system by providing stability to the industry, maintaining our obligations to keep our communities and the public safe and secure, and fulfilling our consumer protection responsibility to Oregon’s cannabis users,” said Marks in the conclusion of his letter to legislators.

Cannabis Vape Products Recalled by OLCC

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Products contaminated with pesticides

OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is issuing a recall for two retail vaping products produced by an OLCC licensed processor that tested positive for pesticides. The products were sold by recreational marijuana licensed retailers to consumers across the state from June 10, 2022 to January 24, 2023. 

The OLCC has issued a notice to retailers to halt the sale of the affected products and is utilizing the state’s Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) to prevent further distribution and sale. The products do not conform to state standards regarding cannabis product testing and therefore should not be sold or consumed.

PREE Labs recall - products

The products were tested for pesticides and were found to have failed for two pesticides: Pyrethrins and Piperonyl butoxide (PBO). At this stage in the OLCC’s investigation, it appears that the OLCC licensed lab responsible for testing the products may have incorrectly entered into CTS that the products had “passed” a pesticides test, when in fact the products had “failed.”

 

Under Oregon Health Authority (OHA) rules, cannabis products like vape cartridges cannot contain amounts of Pyrethirns greater than 1 part per million (ppm) and PBO cannot contain amounts greater than 2 ppm. The original test results showed that the impacted products contain 1.58 ppm of Pyrethrins and 58.7 ppm of PBO.

More than 1,000 units of the vape cartridges were sold to 29 OLCC retailers. According to CTS, at least 812 units of the two affected products have been sold to consumers since the contaminated cartridges reached the licensed retail market last spring; the retailers still have approximately 240 units on hand according to CTS.

As a result, the recall includes two products sold under product names produced by Swell Companies Limited identified below:

Product name: La Mota – Jack Herer vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 6/3/2021 (Label ID 6466) | Tested Date: 5/17/2022 | Sold starting 11/11/2022

Product name: Her – Girl’s Night Out vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 4/27/2022 (Label ID 6114) | Tested Date: 5/17/2022 | Sold starting 07/10/2022

 

OLCC staff are continuing to work with retailer licensees to remove the products from being offered for sale and an investigation is ongoing into the cause of the issue.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products are encouraged to destroy them or contact the retailer they purchased them from to determine if they will accept a return. The OLCC has not received any health-related complaints from the use of the recalled products.

Consumers with health-related concerns about a recalled product should contact theOregon Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or their medical provider. Consumers who consumed this product may experience respiratory irritation. Symptoms of respiratory irritation are coughing, wheezing, and triggering asthma symptoms in people who already have it.

If consumers have other product related complaints related to this recall, they should notify the OLCC at olcc.recalls@oregon.gov and include any information they have, including the consumer’s name and phone number, or alternative means of contact.

OLCC Issues Recall of Cannabis Vape Products

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Cartridges contain prohibited additives

OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is issuing a recall for four vaping products produced by an OLCC licensed processor. The products were sold to recreational marijuana licensed retailers; the processor also sold the products to non-licensed (general market) retailers.

The products do not conform to state standards regarding cannabis additives and therefore should not be sold in either the cannabis or general market. The licensee’s records indicate the products contain CBN, an artificially derived cannabinoid; they also contain a synthetic form of the cannabinoid CBC.

Under Oregon law, inhalable products like vape cartridges cannot contain artificially derived cannabinoids. Additionally, the synthetic CBC does not comply with OLCC requirements for non-cannabis additives in inhalable products, and is also prohibited under Oregon law.

The vape cartridges have been sold under the brand name Firefly Extracts and were manufactured by Hillsboro-based Plank Road Laboratories, Inc., an OLCC licensed marijuana processor. A preliminary investigation by the OLCC indicates that a combined total of more than 5,000 units of the products were manufactured between August 2021 and February 2022; not all of the products were distributed. The licensee has been cooperating with the OLCC to track down the distributed product.

The recall is for the Firefly products identified below:

Product name: Firefly – Strain T1 vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 2/16/2022 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 03/16/2022

Product name: Firefly – Special Sauce vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 12/22/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 03/11/2022

Product name: Firefly – Hawaiian Haze vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 12/22/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 02/11/2022

Product name: Firefly – Cherry Wife vape cartridge | Manufacture Date: 8/31/2021 (Label ID 5658) | Sold starting 09/11/2021Firefly Extracts label

Plank Road Laboratories, Inc. originally distributed vape cartridges to about 80 OLCC licensed marijuana retailers; about 30 retailers still have nearly 200 units on hand. The manufacturer also distributed at least 300 units that can be accounted for to six retailers in the general market; this includes four retailers licensed by the OLCC to sell alcohol.

The OLCC and the licensee are notifying licensed marijuana retailers about the recall; OLCC inspectors are making in-person contact with general market retailers to inform them about the recall because they may not be familiar with the agency’s recall process. In 2021, the legislature assigned the OLCC authority to regulate the sale of certain cannabis-based products in the general market.

The OLCC discovered the prohibited additive issue during a random audit of the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS). Investigators reviewing the Firefly Extracts testing results also determined that at least three of them contained the synthetic cannabinoid CBC. Under the Oregon Board of Pharmacy standards, non-cannabis derived CBC is considered a Schedule 1 substance.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products are encouraged to destroy them. The OLCC has not received any health-related complaints from the use of the recalled products. Consumers with health-related concerns about a recalled product should contact the Oregon Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or their medical provider.

If consumers have other product related complaints related to this recall, they should notify the OLCC at olcc.recalls@oregon.gov and include any information they have, including the consumer’s name and phone number, or alternative means of contact

OLCC Recreational Marijuana Program Compliance Education Bulletin

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OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) is providing the following information to recreational marijuana licensees.

This education bulletin is part of OLCC’s compliance education. It is important that you read it and understand it. If you do not understand it, please contact the OLCC for help.

Marijuana licensees are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with all applicable rules. This bulletin does not supersede any OLCC rule. Failure to understand and follow the rules referenced in this bulletin could result in an OLCC administrative violation and/or civil penalty.

Compliance Education Bulletin CE2022-03 covers the following issues:

  • Discounting Cannabis items

 

Discounting Marijuana Items

This bulletin provides clarification to OLCC’s interpretation of OAR 845-2800 (4) (h) (i).

 OAR 845-025-2800 has been amended to change some of the prohibitions around discounts at marijuana retailers:

  • Removed the prohibition around selling items for a nominal price.
  • The rule allows for discounting marijuana items, but retailers are still not allowed to discount a marijuana item if the retail sale of the marijuana is made in conjunction with the retail sale of any other items, including other marijuana items or hemp items.
    • An example of what is not allowed would be having a sale where a customer can get an ounce half off, but only if they buy another ounce.
    • What would be allowed is having a certain strain half off for an entire period of time.  In this scenario, the sale price is not dependent on any other purchases and would therefore be compliant.
    • Customers can purchase discounted items and non-discounted items at the same time as long as the discount is not dependent on any other purchases.
  • The rule still does not allow for discounting a marijuana item contingent on the purchase of a non-marijuana item.
    • An example of this would be requiring a person to buy something like a jar, to receive discounted marijuana. This type of purchase is not allowed.

This rule ONLY applies to discounting marijuana items and hemp items.

Marijuana and hemp items can ONLY be given away for free to a registered OMMP cardholder or caregiver.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I start a loyalty program, like a punch card or point system, where a customer can receive a discount after they reach a certain threshold?
  • Yes, but the marijuana or hemp item cannot be free, only discounted. You could give the customer something else for free, like a t-shirt or hat. 

 

  • Can I discount marijuana or hemp items without a loyalty program?
  • Yes

 

  • Does a discounted item still need to cost more than I originally paid for it?
  • No, you can discount an item lower than the price you acquired it for.

 

  • Does tax need to be collected on a discounted sale?
  • Yes, you still need to collect the 17% tax and the 3% local tax (if applicable) based on the discounted price.

 

  • Can I give an OMMP cardholder a discount even though they don’t pay tax?
  • Yes, even though you cannot change tax for an OMMP cardholder or caregiver you can still give them a discount, or marijuana or hemp item for free.

 

  • Can I offer a buy one get one (BOGO) free deal?
  • Not for marijuana or hemp items. You could sell a marijuana or hemp item and give a t-shirt for free, but marijuana or hemp items can only be given to OMMP cardholders and caregivers for free. 

 

  • Can a customer buy items that are discounted and full priced items at the same time?
  • Yes, as long as the discount is not dependent on the purchase of a full priced item.

 

  • Can I collect customer information for coupons, discounts or loyalty programs?
  • A. Yes, but you need to ask the consumer if you can record and retain the information, and the consumer needs to agree to the recording and retention of the information.

 

  • Do the daily sales limits apply to loyalty programs?
  • Yes, even with a loyalty program you need to follow the daily sales limit rules.

 

  • If I have other questions about discounts or loyalty programs how do I contact the OLCC?
  • You can email us at marijuana@oregon.gov

 

Read a complete version of the bulletin here

A copy of this bulletin will be available on the OLCC website under the Bulletinssection.

For More Information:

www.marijuana.oregon.gov

Email: marijuana@oregon.gov

Phone: 503-872-5000, Option 1

Toll Free: 800-452-6522, Option 1

OLCC Issues Mandatory Recall for Marijuana Extract Products

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Products potentially contaminated due to improper pesticide testing

OLCC continuing to investigate to determine cause

OREGON: The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) has issued a mandatory recall for several marijuana products due to the potential presence of pesticides. The possible marijuana product contamination is a result of failure to follow OLCC and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) rules for tracking and isolating marijuana products where the presence of pesticides has been detected.

This recall has been issued for 9,300 units that were still on the market and affects 13,600 units that were sold to consumers. The recall is being issued to ensure that licensees do not sell, and customers do not consume the effected products, because OLCC investigators cannot determine if the potential contamination is isolated or is widespread through the product lines.

The recalled products are concentrated forms of psychoactive THC; they range from inhalable items including jars of THC extract and THC vape cartridges to an ingestible form of THC known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO).

The recall is for the marijuana products identified below. These products were manufactured by OLCC licensees under the trade names Bobsled and Quantum Alchemy.

Bobsled products

  • Product Name: Bobsled – Dolato Cured Resin Vape Cartridge | Manufacture Date: 9/12/2022 (Label Id 5368) | Sold starting 10/4/22
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Larry OG Cured Resin | Manufacture Date: 8/29/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 9/15/2022
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Larry OG – Dabs Sugar Sauce | Manufacture Date: 8/29/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 9/26/2022
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Stardawg Cured Resin | Manufacture Date: 9/12/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 10/10/2022
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Frostbite Cured Resin| Manufacture Date: 6/13/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 9/21/2022
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Sunburn Cured Resin| Manufacture Date: 6/13/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 9/22/2022
  • Product Name: Bobsled – Sunburn Sugar Sauce Extract| Manufacture Date: 6/13/2022 (Label Id 5326) | Sold starting 11/23/2022

Quantum Alchemy products

  • Product Name: RSO Raspberry GMO | Manufacture Date: 11/29/21 (Label Id 5764) | Sold starting 11/28/22
  • Product Name: HTE Distillate R#ntz | Manufacture Date 11/30/21 (Generic Label) | Sold between 12/10/21 and 1/6/22
  • Product Name: HTE Distillate McR#ntz | Manufacture Date 2/21/22 (Generic Label) | Sold starting 9/23/22
  • Product Name: Cart 1g HTE Distillate Milo | Manufacture Date 2/21/22 (Generic Label) | Sold starting 9/23/22

Photos of many of the recalled products and packaging are contained in the press release found here on the OLCC website product recall page.

The OLCC has notified cannabis retailers about the recall, advising that these products are under a mandatory recall with instructions on how the products must be destroyed or returned to a licensed supplier for destruction. The OLCC utilized the state’s Cannabis Tracking System (CTS) to detect the potentially tainted products, contact the licensees that produced the impacted brands and locate all the questionable items distributed and sold through Oregon’s regulated market.

OLCC inspectors will follow up with licensees in possession of the affected products to ensure they are removed from sale, isolated from other inventory, and then ultimately destroyed according to OLCC rules. Customers who have purchased this product can either return it to the OLCC-licensed retailer they purchased it from or destroy the product.

The OLCC has not identified any fault by the laboratory that conducted the pesticide analysis. The items identified as subject to the mandatory recall are related to batches that originally failed testing for pesticides.

Under OHA rules, manufacturers must follow certain procedures to retest any failed batches, and may only remediate the suspect product under certain circumstances. The manufacturers of the products identified did not follow proper procedures in tracking, retesting, and isolating the affected marijuana products. 

The OLCC started its investigation on November 29, 2022. The companies that produce Bobsled products (Bobsled, LLC) and Quantum Alchemy products (Happy Hollow Farms, Inc.) are cooperating with OLCC in the isolation and destruction of the affected items. Although the discovery of these incidents occurred simultaneously, OLCC is investigating them as separate incidents.

Consumers with health-related concerns about a recalled product should contact the Oregon Poison Center at 800-222-1222, or their medical provider.

If consumers have other product related complaints related to this recall, they should notify the OLCC at olcc.recalls@oregon.gov and include any information they have, including the consumer’s name and phone number, or alternative means of contact.