Lab Scandal Brings Recall, Lawsuit, Higher Prices and a History of Contempt - Ben Horner

 

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Lab Scandal Brings Recall, Lawsuit, Higher Prices and a History of Contempt

By Ben Horner

If it smells like hay or Italian herbs, it might not be ok. This old stoner adage is used to warn people about possibly moldy weed or a bag of fake weed.  Everyone is talking about the recall of licensed Michigan Recreational and Medical flower tested by Viridas Labs from August through November of this year. The recalled flower, approximately 64,000 pounds, represents nearly 70% of the marijuana flower in the commercial market. Viridas quickly fired back with a lawsuit against the MRA and its director Brisbo. It turns out there is an interesting history with folks connected to this lab, lobbyists and politically motivated Michigan marijuana activists. 

“We strongly disagree with this decision and firmly stand by our test results,” said Greg Michaud, CEO of Viridis Laboratories in a prepared statement. Greg Michaud is not unknown, or well liked by Attorney Michael Komorn, who in 2015 discovered that then Captain Grégoire P. Michaud, of the Michigan Forensic Science Division (MSP crime lab) was seeking clarification on case law (People vs Carruthers) in regards to medical marijuana cases involving patients and caregivers. This led to a change in policy that allowed prosecutors to strip away some protections under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act of 2008 (MMMA), particularly for any edible or concentrate that did not have visible plant material. Kormon was representing a medical marijuana patient that had lost custody of his child during a CPS home inspection where law enforcement found a small amount of unlabeled hash oil.   

Charmie Gholson, former writer for the Midwest Cultivator, was quick to reference a 2016 Leafly article (https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/leafly-investigation-great-cannabis-crime-lab-frame) that tells the whole story. Ms. Gholson is an activist that spent real effort in uncovering police corruption and advocating for families that were victims of the war on drugs, with a particular interest in CPS cases in which children were removed because of medical marijuana in the home. When at the Midwest Cultivator, Charmie also worked with fellow activists Jamie Lowell of Third Coast, which was where the newspaper was produced.  She was also featured on a MiCIA Magazine cover with Robin Schneider and other influential female cannabis leaders. 

Viridis Laboratories, the largest marijuana testing lab in Michigan, is accusing the MRA of attempting to breach their preparatory testing and then retaliating against them for having the “lion’s share”  of the state in order to “level the playing field,” according to a lawsuit filed Monday, Nov. 22. The lawsuit names MRA Director Andrew Brisbo and other agency officials.

According to the complaint filed in the Michigan Court of Claims Viridis “seeks to shed light on the activities that the (MRA) had hoped to keep behind closed doors and to obtain legal and equitable relief for the wrongs committed against it by the (MRA) and the responsible employees,” the lawsuit states. Also, in the complaint Viridis’ attorneys suggest that their competitors in the industry influenced the recall and that the MRA sought to distribute market share more broadly amongst the other testing labs in the state.

Prices at the dispensaries are up as many dispensaries are now left with empty shelves. If you haven’t noticed almost all of the corn crops around the state are left rotten in the fields, due to black mold contamination. Outdoor caregiver grows are reporting a huge loss around the state from the same mold, which is not lab tested. Most people consume mold, fugus and bacteria every day and for most people, unless you have certain allergies or have other health compromises, a small amount of microbes smoke with your weed won’t cause any health risks. Store owners think it is very possible that the majority of the recalled weed will be retested and found safe. 

Over the last few months, the fighting between the various lobbyists and their pawns has made the whole cannabis community look bad, according to many cannabis activists. The bolstered claims and obvious biases smell like a bag of oregano and parsley. Viridis is being slammed for having a former cop in charge, without any concern for how this may be harmful government overreach. Some speculate that if Viridis is correct about this being a political inside hit job, that there are many to gain big time from this recall. Could people that have an ax to grind with Greg Michaud like Komorn, and connections to cannabis businesses that could gain from the recall like Charmie Gholson and Jamie Lowell, that also have connections to lobbyists like Robin Schneider, have one party they need to get reelected next year?  Does Brisbo have political aspirations? If the reader thinks this system is not pay to play, you might just be interested a turn-key caregiver property for sale.