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There’s so much mold and fungus in the world that scientists believe people probably breathe a little in everyday.
But Colorado still doesn’t want it in cannabis.
Last year, there was a sharp increase in health and safety advisories from the state’s Marijuana Enforcement Division. The sweeping recall of products over the last year has led to frustration in an industry that has fallen on difficult economic times, as sales and prices have fallen. Growers believe the contamination thresholds are too low.
Recalls were rising before last year, but expanded when the state began testing for a fungus called Aspergillus, which in rare cases can lead to death in immunocompromised marijuana users. Regulators said they were unaware of any deaths in Colorado.
Colorado’s regulators believe the danger of these contaminants outweigh the inconvenience to growers and stores.
Aspergillus can cause a serious lung infection called Aspergillosis, which has been linked to a “few fatalities” outside the state related to cannabis, said Brandon Jeffery, director of Marijuana Sciences at the Marijuana Enforcement Division.
“There is a known risk with Aspergillus,” Jeffery said.
The new testing requirements were part of an extensive public process, but Jeffery said they can potentially be adjusted. “The question as to whether our limits for Aspergillus are correct, and what we’re testing for is correct, is ongoing.”
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