Cannabis packaging companies have been scrutinized for product claims

State regulators are scrutinizing cannabis businesses that make unverified product claims, targeting at least one company over claims that its bags prevent mold.

The crackdown follows a wave of product recalls in at least seven states where cannabis growers found mold in the products used, a concern for consumer safety.

The promises made in the industry are coming under the microscope as other questions are being asked about the trust of labs and regulators’ ability to ensure reliable and accurate product labels.

But the market leader’s problems with its terploc products being held in Washington and Colorado show how affiliated companies are exposing themselves to legal risk and lost money, leaders in the Cannabis Packal Sector have been told. Mjbizdaily.

“There are a few packaging companies doing these … and the government is starting to step in and enforce them,” said Simon Knobel, CE-Founder and CEO of Calyx Containers, a Utah-based utility business.

“In general, the cannabis packaging industry should be aware of these laws and what is going on because there is potential liability.”

Cannabis packaging under the microscope

Grove Bags has been forced to recall products from the market and recall recalls in Colorado and Washington State over claims that its terploc bags prevent mold.

Companies making such claims must be registered with the US Envirol Environmental Protection Agency and include the EPA number of establishment on their products, said Daniel Schafer, communications Department of Washington State Offigca (WSDA).

According to the WSDA’s September Order, Grove’s Terploc popular bags meet the definition of a “device.” A device is defined as “any instrument or instrument intended to ride, destroy, control, repel, or exterminate vermin, or to exterminate vermin,” says one insect, “says other insects.

Because the terplocs did not receive EPA registration, regulators declared that the product was “non-trusted” and could not be distributed in Washington until the claims were removed.

Grove bags were discontinued and replaced after receiving a notice from Wsda, company officials said. Mjbizdaily.

It also removed the “Mild Prevention” claims from its website and stated that it would no longer make those claims on the product’s packaging.

Bag sales have resumed in both states.

However, the episode was caught off guard.

Taken by surprise over crackdown on Cannabis Packling Claims

“Let’s cut it short,” said chief financial officer Dan Jaffe. “Agencies have specific guidelines when it comes to language diversity.

“Using words like ‘Mold protection’ causes alarms for them.”

Jaffe said Grove developed a special plastic film for cannabis — similar to that used in the pre-packaged salads it produces — but said it’s not the bag itself that prevents mold.

“This is a common claim made by people in our industry,” he said.

“We have a film made specifically for cannabis, but all we have is a plastic bag.”

“If you grow and cure properly, you won’t have mold. It’s not the bag that makes it.”

Do a security check before making claims

The situation also shows how federal law sometimes regulates cannabis companies despite federal oversight.

When a manufacturer or packager claims that their product prevents mold or resists active, it can be seen as a marketing message, but the statements can cause the regulator to review the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodentcide Act.

FIFARA gives the EPA the authority to issue a sales suspension, use or removal order when a pesticide or device is found to be in violation.

Darwin Millard, technical director of St. Louis based on Cannabis Security & Quality (CSQ), said companies that make requests to secure their wallets to be studies.

“To make a claim like that, we need to meet certain state requirements,” said Mall2. “In our industry, we rush to get things on the market without doing proper safety testing.”

The Grove is conducting both internal and external studies to make sure the claims are backed up, Jaffe said.

Most of the studies are related to long-term storage as it relates to weight and moisture retention and cannabinoid and terpene retention.

“When we do these studies, the flowers that we put in our bags are at the right level of flowers that are ready for treatment,” she said. “We recommend some type of drying and curing process for optimal results.”

“We don’t really test for fungal protection, but if the fungus showed up, it would be part of our study.”

Margaret Jackson can be reached Margaret.Jackson@mjbizdaily.com.