phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES JULY 1ST – JULY 7TH, 2021 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Recall from p 53 then notified “and took immediate action to work with all distribution and retail partners to remove any potentially im- pacted products.” Steve Elliott, a DHS spokesperson, con- firmed that the third-party lab was On- Point, but wouldn’t say if the lab faces any sanctions, or what else was being found at the lab. “We continue to investigate and won’t discuss an open investigation,” Elliott said. OnPoint, led by CEO Jeff Cardot, said in a news release last month that it had just completed a multi-million-dollar invest- ment in new technology and an expanded facility. In its statement last week on the re- call, OnPoint praised the DHS and its new testing requirements. “Their bi-annual audits and reports are essential and the AZDHS system is work- ing. While this recall was issued out of an abundance of caution, it exemplifies the excellent teamwork of the agency, the labs and the cannabis companies that serve Ari- zona consumers,” the firm said. The company provided a more detailed explanation for what happened, but had a slightly different take than the state’s, mak- ing the incident sound more like a dispute over procedures than a confirmed problem: Arizona DHS Chart of recalled cannabis products, June 23, 2021. “Earlier this year, OnPoint Laboratories issued clean certificate of analysis (COA) statements for a limited number of affected samples and believed the products to be safe and the results to be accurate. In a sub- sequent audit by AZDHS, the agency dis- puted these results and stated it found potential for contamination. Although OnPoint Labs initially be- lieved the test results to be negative, the company feels an abundance of caution is the right approach. “The products, dis- pensary companies, brands, and OnPoint Laboratories were un- aware of any discrepan- cies until they were notified by the state agency. OnPoint Labora- tories takes full respon- sibility, and reiterated today that all of the products, dispensary companies and brands associated with this re- call have always fol- lowed rigorous state testing requirements and continuously provide clean products for consumers.” A state notice to businesses about the recall goes over some of the new testing rules, relating how, if a test comes back positive for contaminants, the sample can be sent to a second laboratory. If the sec- ond test is positive, the products should be remediated or destroyed as state rules re- quire. If the second test negative, the sam- ple gets sent to a third lab, “which is the result that will stand.” “However, due to current circum- stances, the original tested sample is not available,” the state says. “Therefore, if the identified products, listed in the table be- low, are still in possession of the dispen- sary, marijuana establishment, or cultivation facility, the facility will be al- lowed to collect a new sample to be tested at 2 (two) additional laboratories and fol- low the applicable laws and rules.” Remaining products not sent for addi- tional testing must be must be remediated or destroyed. Dispensaries are supposed to notify customers who purchased the af- fected products, and let them know if any more testing is conducted. Salmonella often shows up as a food- borne illness with symptoms that can in- clude bloody diarrhea and intense stomach cramps. You can get it just from handling contaminated things, so if you have these products and end up throwing them away, wash your hands afterward. Mold can be dangerous to people who are allergic to it, causing asthma-like symp- toms. OnPoint Laboratories, in its statement, insisted that it and its customers follow DHS rules “consistently.” “As policies and procedures evolve, the Company will maintain the highest level of compliance to these standards,” it said. “OnPoint Laboratories will issue further statements as the situation develops.” 55
