New York State Halts Sales of Popular Cannabis Products Amid Investigation
The New York Office of Cannabis Management has ordered the removal of millions of dollars’ worth of cannabis vapes and pre-rolled joints from shelves, amid an investigation into whether several companies are producing illegal products. The products, which include items from Stiiizy and mfused, are suspected of being filled with cannabis oil extracted from unlicensed growers, a practice known as “inversion.”
The investigation, which is still ongoing, has raised concerns about the safety and authenticity of cannabis products sold in the state. The Office of Cannabis Management has issued several orders to dispensaries, directing them to remove the affected products from their shelves.
Stiiizy, a Los Angeles-based company, and mfused, a Seattle-based company, are two of the largest cannabis brands in the US. Their products were among the top 10 best-sellers in New York in April, with a retail value exceeding $10 million.
The investigation has also raised concerns about the potential for consumers to be exposed to contaminated or adulterated products. If investigators find evidence of inversion, the products could be seized and destroyed, and the companies involved could face serious consequences, including the revocation of their licenses.
The quarantine has left licensed dispensaries in a difficult position, with many holding onto inventory that they cannot sell to customers. “That’s a lot of extra inventory that people have to sit on that we can’t make any money on,” said Brandon Carter, a co-owner of Trends in Long Island City, Queens.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether the products will be released for sale or destroyed. In the meantime, consumers are left wondering why their favorite products are no longer available. “Customers are asking for Stiiizy,” said Wei Hu, a co-owner of Lenox Hill Cannabis on the Upper East Side. “They’re wondering why it’s not on the menu.”
