For simple cannabis consumers in Michigan, all of our needs have been met. With record low prices and easy access to the product, self-actualization has been attained. For those who want more money or ideological control of the issue, the struggle continues.
The ever-expanding battle line between those who want more is now centering on the question of how to provide completely pure, clean, unadulterated weed. In theory, this weed would be fully safe for human consumption.
On the surface, this concept seems to be caring and noble. Who could possibly be against something like that?
In its crusade to attain market control and wipe out its competition, the Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association (MCMA), which represents a few giant cannabis corporations, has been proclaiming that all herb is fundamentally unsafe unless it is tested. The logical conclusion of this thinking is caregivers and home growers must be either brought into the regulated system or crushed by law enforcement.
On the other hand, those who hate these big corporations are using the safety issue to kneecap their rivals and cut into their profit margins. They want any cannabis that fails testing for mold, spores, heavy metals, microorganisms or any other suspected toxins to be destroyed—at least for the purpose of smoking anyway.
Under the current regulatory scheme, impure cannabis can be remediated by methods like radiation, ozonization, and distillation chromatography. Just like what is done with lots of food found in local supermarkets.
Anti-remediation activists say any attempt to remediate bad flower is ineffective. Eliminating all mold, microorganisms and toxins is impossible, goes the narrative. Unlike remediated fruits and vegetables, which are eaten, the smoked flower goes directly into the lungs, which are especially sensitive to damage. It is believed the bulk of remediated cannabis (roughly 60%) is produced by giant farms run by MCMA members. Quality control is said to be poor and toxic microbes can spread like wildfire. As a result, banning remediation for smoked flower would hit the big producers in the pocketbook. It would also reduce the glut of flower flooding the market and depressing prices. It is believed that small growers are more honest and careful with their product and so they would be better able to compete against big, uncaring, greedy corporate farms.
From a historical perspective, the logic used by both sides in this safety brouhaha is seriously flawed.
From the 1930s until 2008, when medical marijuana was legalized in Michigan, marijuana was totally illegal. There was no regulation, no testing and no oversight. Cops and prosecutors were not interested in such things. Their job was to harass marijuana users and eradicate the devil weed.
From 2008 until 2016, testing of legal medical marijuana produced by caregivers did not exist. It was only when dispensaries were authorized by the legislature in 2016 that some mandatory product testing emerged into law. This was done to pacify GOP elected officials and critics in law enforcement. These critics claimed that marijuana must be proven safe from LSD, fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and pesticides. That was the initial logic for testing dispensary products.
In FOIA documents obtained by MM Report, it was revealed that in February 2021, in its efforts to regulate the production of Delta-8 THC (a derivative of legal hemp, which can get a user “high”), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services conducted a nationwide search to find persons harmed by Delta-8. The search turned up nothing. Nonetheless, Delta-8 was regulated into law by the legislature anyway.
In December 2021, a major cannabis testing scandal blew its top. Viridis Labs, the biggest testing company in Michigan, was accused of a massive product testing failure. Thousands of pounds of cannabis were pulled from the market by what is now known as the Michigan
Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). Damages are said to be in the millions of dollars. The matter is now in federal court. Viridis claims to be not guilty and blames the CRA for malfeasance in conducting the recall. Should Viridis prevail, it will be very costly to the state of Michigan.
In justifying the Viridis recall, the CRA claimed a number of persons got sick and a few were said to have been hospitalized due to Viridis testing failures. However, no names emerged and none were shared by the CRA. No litigation for damages emanated from the alleged victims. Viridis believes the illnesses (if they ever really existed) were a form of mass hysteria, triggered by the CRA ,to justify its bad judgment in doing the recall. The CRA had no comment, citing pending litigation.
From a big picture perspective, fear of toxins, mold, viruses, germs, parasites, vermin, spores, fungus, chemical additives, rodent droppings and the like runs deep in the American psyche. This fear has metastasized itself even deeper into the culture in the wake of COVID-19. As we observed during the COVID-19 panic, this fear can be exploited by those with an agenda other than mere consumer safety.
As a result, it is almost certain flower remediation will be on many Lansing radar screens in the year ahead.
Hopefully, any government action will be based upon common sense, history and hard facts.
