Cream Cannabis Company owner Jason Corban described the current hold on products as “disheartening” and “detrimental,” emphasizing his commitment to providing customers with clean medicine. Corban noted that over 80% of his inventory, which should be available, is now locked away in the vault.
Since opening Cream Cannabis Company on April 21st, Corban has successfully supplied the metro area with medical cannabis. However, this changed when the Mississippi State Department of Health issued an initial hold on December 21st, affecting nearly 70% of medical cannabis products statewide. This action followed a tip regarding potential mishandling of pesticide tests by Rapid Analytics, the firm responsible for testing these products.
Retesting Process Oversight
The Mississippi State Department of Health is now overseeing the retesting of affected products. Department spokesperson Greg Flynn clarified that the hold is a precautionary measure and not a recall. “There’s no reason right now to say that the products are bad or dangerous. They just need to be retested,” Flynn stated. As products are cleared through this retesting process, they will be returned to shelves at dispensaries. Until then, any products linked to the affected lots are prohibited from sale.
While the current situation does not constitute a recall, there is potential for this situation to evolve. Corban expressed his hope that a recall would not be necessary. “It would be terrible. Hopefully, those we purchase from will assist us in maintaining our supply,” he added.
Impact on Patients and Dispensaries
Patients are encouraged to contact their dispensaries to inquire about available products. The Department of Health has not provided a specific timeline for when products will be cleared but expects updates to be forthcoming.
This situation reflects ongoing challenges within the Mississippi cannabis industry as it navigates regulatory developments and strives to ensure product safety. As the community awaits resolution, businesses like Cream Cannabis Company are left to adapt and find solutions amidst uncertainty.
