More California cannabis recalled for pesticides after worker death

California cannabis regulators have recalled more cannabis product potentially contaminated with pesticides this week in the wake of a licensed cultivation worker’s death.

And more details have emerged about the circumstances of Yufang Lan’s death last month, including the banned pesticides allegedly discovered at the massive Lake County cannabis cultivation operation where Lan worked and that officials suspect is connected to her death.

According to an affidavit from a state Department of Cannabis Control special investigator obtained by MJBizDaily via a public records request, state law enforcement officials believe Lan died after an “occupational pesticide exposure” at the Joel Michaely Farms in Lake County.

The DCC shut down the farm on Sept. 8.

As of Tuesday, the DCC has recalled four “adulterated” products after determining they were “produced under unsanitary conditions and the methods, facilities, or controls used to cultivate the cannabis did not conform with pesticide statutes and regulations.”

What California cannabis products have been recalled for potential pesticide contamination?

They are:

• Iced infused flower, produced by Natura Distribution and sold at 20 retailers in the state
• Tree House Flower, produced by Peace and Joy and sold at Dr. Greenthumb, Tree House, Fig Trees and Peace and Love marijuana stores in Los Angeles
• Martini’s Pre-Roll, produced by the same manufacturer and sold at the same stores
• Cali Lean Tincture, produced by 510 Consultants and sold at 25 retailers throughout the state

DCC has confirmed that the Iced and Martini’s recalls are related to Joel Michaely Farms. A spokesperson for the agency did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation about the other recalls.

DCC suspended the Lake County cultivator’s permit on Sept. 8 after discovering alleged violation of state law, including

• Untagged cannabis plants
• Unaccounted-for inventory
• Failure to record activity in state-mandated track-and-trace systems
• Failure to comply with environmental protection and pesticide laws
• Growing “adulterated” cannabis

Under California state law, conditions that render cannabis considered “adulterated” include contamination with a banned or poisonous substance such as banned pesticides.

What killed a California cannabis worker?

Yufang, 46, died in intensive care on Aug. 27, six days after an unidentified male brought her to an area hospital. She was suffering cardiac arrest, according to law enforcement.

More recalls seem likely.

Lake County planning records indicate that Joel Michaely Farms was approved to cultivate nearly 1 million square feet of canopy.

While executing a search warrant at the grow on Aug. 31, law enforcement allegedly discovered:

• 55,069 cannabis plants
• 6,000 pounds of processed cannabis
• “Illegal chemicals”
• “Approximately 20,000 gallons of contaminated liquid requiring specialized disposal”

All the cannabis was destroyed, according to officials.

What pesticides California cannabis inspectors find at a cultivator where a worker died?

Joel Michaely Farms consisted of “two outdoor cultivation areas” and “112 hoophouse structures,” DCC Special Investigator Jaime Musuda wrote in a Sept. 8 affidavit attached to the farms’ suspension notice.

In roughly 20 of the hoophouses, investigators noted “cans of fumigant pesticide ‘Real-Kill Indoor Fogger’” placed about several feet apart, Musuda wrote.

Outside the hoophouses, investigators found “several different bottles of illicit foreign labeled pesticides” as well as “three pesticides unapproved for use on cannabis,” according to Musuda.

These were:

• Eagle 20, a brand name fungicide that contains myclobutanil, a banned substance used to combat powdery mildew that breaks down into cyanide gas when heated
• Sanmite SC, which contains banned pesticide pyridaben, often used to defeat spider mites. Research indicatesreal ki pyridaben can affect heart function
• Altus, which contain the chemical flupyradifurone, which targets aphids

According to Musuda, about 10-15 workers lived onsite in cramped, unsanitary conditions with “moldy walls.” It’s not clear if Yufang was one of them.

All spoke Mandarin, and none had been paid since Joel Michaely Farms had yet to make a profit, “which could take years,” the onsite cultivation manager told Musuda, according to his affidavit.

Chris Roberts can be reached at chris.roberts@mjbizdaily.com.