Halifax firm suing pot producer endorsed by Trailer Park Boys

Organigram, a Canadian cannabis producer, business partner and brand developer for the Trailer Park Boys, recalled their medical marijuana voluntarily after unapproved pesticides were found in their product. 

The cannabis producer once backed by the Trailer Park Boys could face a class action lawsuit after pesticides were found in its products. 

Wagners Law Firm is filing suit against Moncton-based medical cannabis producer Organigram over the contamination and recall. 

It said in a news release Monday that the chemicals myclobutanil and bifenazate, “both considered toxic,” and are not authorized for use on cannabis under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. 

“Over 2,000 customers are estimated to have purchased the contaminated products, primarily throughout 2016,” the release said. 

“On December 28, 2016, Organigram recalled five lots of product that tested positive for the presence of myclobutanil and/or bifenazate. On January 9, 2017, Organigram initiated a second recall of an additional sixty-nine lots of product containing myclobutanil and/or bifenazate.” 

Their certificate was suspended in January of 2017. 

Health Canada’s regulations allow a list of 13 pesticides in medical marijuana. Myclobutanil and bifenazate are not among them. 

A previous Organigram news release stated the recall cost the company $500,000. 

“Thanks to the prompt action of our team, the understanding and loyalty of our patients and investors, the support of our licensed testing counterparties, and the collaboration and oversight of our industry’s regulators, (Organigram) has been able to address these challenges and setbacks immediately and definitively,” said Organigram, CEO Denis Arsenault in a previous news release. 

The Trailer Park Boys teamed up with the company in November to develop TPB-branded products aimed at recreational marijuana users. 

The Chronicle Herald contacted Organigram Monday morning for comment on the suit but has yet to hear back. 

Recently, Greg Engel assumed the position of CEO, with former CEO Denis Arsenault moving to the position of chairman. 

“We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to find and recruit Greg,” said Arsenault in a release. “Greg emerged as the leading candidate following an international search. His experience and leadership will be instrumental as we enter the next phase of our growth.” 

Dawn Rae Downton — proposed representative plantiff in the suit — consumed Organigram products for a year before learning about the banned pesticides. She was using the product for inflammatory arthritis. 

Wagners’ news release says Organigram originally offered a refund of the recalled product for purchasers, but changed their minds and offered a “credit” toward future purposes. 

“We’ve received hundreds of calls about the situation since the recalls came to light. People are very worried about the impact this has had, and may have, on their health. We have been monitoring the situation,” said Ray Wagner, counsel for the proposed class action. 

“When the company finally indicated they would offer refunds, we felt that it was appropriate to refrain from filing the class action — affected individuals could obtain compensation without the need for litigation. However, the reversal in position, which was done without announcement, is wholly unsatisfactory to our clients. Licensed medical marijuana producers cannot shirk their responsibilities to customers. These are medical products. They were held out as organic. They need to be helpful to patients, not harmful.”

Original article can be found here

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