Weed Recall Sparks Urgent Warning for California

Marijuana plants at the mausoleum for reggae musician Peter Tosh (1944 – 1987) in the grounds of his former house in Belmont, Jamaica, 3rd June 2011. On April 9, 2024, the California Department of Cannabis Control announced a recall for a certain cannabis product.

A weed recall on Tuesday sparked an urgent warning for all cannabis consumers in California.

“The Department of Cannabis Control is issuing this mandatory recall due to the presence of Aspergillus sp. in multiple Tyson 3.5 Gram Flower products,” the California Department of Cannabis Control’s (DCC) post on X, formerly Twitter, read.

In a statement further detailing the recall, California’s DCC said that the issues arose from two products produced by boxer Mike Tyson’s weed brand.

The recall was for two different strains of Tyson cannabis flowers, named “TOAD” and “TADPOLES.” The products were sold in 3.5 gram packages and were packaged after August 4, 2023.

According to the announcement, the products were sold at a number of different locations across California in cities including Alameda, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Napa, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco.

The recall announcement states that consumers who previously purchased these products should “check your package for the UID and batch number.” If the numbers on the package match those listed in the recall announcement, consumers should dispose of the product or return it to the retailer they purchased it from.

“If you are experiencing symptoms or any adverse reactions, contact your physician immediately,” the announcement said.

To view the full list of recalled products, visit California’s DCC’s website.

Newsweek reached out to the California DCC via email for further comment.

According to the Cannabis Science and Technology website, Aspergillus is a fungus that can grow on many different plants, such as cannabis.

“If cannabis is grown or stored in conditions that are conducive to mold growth, such as high humidity or improper drying and curing processes, it can provide an environment for Aspergillus to thrive,” the website says.

“When contaminated cannabis is consumed via the respiratory tract, it can potentially pose health risks, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions. The issue with fungus spores and cannabis is when its spores are introduced into the lungs, for example, by smoking and inhaling contaminated product.”

In December 2023, the California cannabis company, Grizzly Peak Farms, issued a voluntary recall for a strain named “Zoap” over concerns that it had been contaminated with chlorfenapyr, a pesticide.

The products associated with this particular strain package were made available to retail consumers after September 20, California’s DCC spokesperson David Hafner told Newsweek at the time.

“This remains an ongoing investigation,” he said. “The department does not comment on ongoing investigations.”

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