Marijuana has become quite a conversation starter in recent years. It has been legalized by several states, but has yet to be legalized on a federal level. In fact, it’s still a Schedule I substance in the eyes of the U.S. federal government. That means that it is not to be used as a medical treatment, and it has a high likelihood of being abused.

While it is true there is talk of changing its legal status, as of now marijuana is not federally recognized as a legal drug. However, Michigan’s government has legalized marijuana. With many new businesses selling the drug, it has become a booming commercial enterprise, but with that comes complications.

The problem Michigan and other states that have decided to legalize marijuana, is how do they keep it controlled? Marijuana laboratories must keep the environment extremely moist for the plant to thrive. With that humidity comes a big problem: mold. Marijuana mold has become a growing concern for medical professionals residing in legalized marijuana states. Zamir Punja, a professor of plant biotechnology says, “The spores are so small that when you take a deep breath, you can pick them up into the lungs.”

Gardeners aren’t the only ones that should be worried about this spread. One study states marijuana users are almost four times as likely as nonusers to be infected with fungi such as Aspergillus.

Here’s where the situation gets tricky. A Wall Street Journal analysis found many marijuana labs appear to be underreporting concentrations of contaminants. When they avoid these reporting’s, their consumers buy the product unaware of the risks and can end up in dangerous medical situations.

To solve this, there have been many cannabis-control commissions appearing in legalized states. But how do they test, and what should the limit be? The limit in most states is currently “yeast and mold content in cannabis at 10,000 “colony forming units” of yeast and mold per gram”. Yet many labs are failing this measure, and it appears that the more mold testing the labs undergo, the higher the percentage of substances failed.

Some such as Cassin Coleman, Director of Quality and Processing at Carbidex, said customers should be able to see where product was initially tested, if it was retested or if it failed. They claim it must be labeled and easily accessible to read. Customers also need the right to inquire about a products testing if they are so inclined.

“No one should be OK with [selling contaminated products], and if they were — I get the court is saying we can, but that’s selling adulterated product.” Coleman stated.

Demands are being made across states for clearer information on how marijuana is tested, and how they know if their marijuana is safe. As these demands for clearer information grow, consumers deserve to make informed choices about what they consume. If you find yourself navigating the complexities of marijuana law or facing legal issues related to substances, don’t hesitate to reach out to Fausone & Grysko, PLC for experienced assistance and support. Contact our office at (248) 380-0000.