Two Colorado Springs marijuana dispensaries cited by state authorities for high mold, yeast levels
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) has issued a health and safety advisory regarding marijuana sold at four medical and two retail stores, including two in Colorado Springs.
The DOR 's advisory released a week ago found levels of mold and yeast above acceptable limits and described as "potentially unsafe"; an investigation by its Marijuana Enforcement Division continues.
At high levels, mold and yeast can cause infections in weakened immune systems, and allergic reactions; the DOR's alert doesn't indicate whether any symptoms have been reported by customers.
The two Colorado Springs medical dispensaries included in the advisory are branches of The Chronic Boutique, located downtown at 325 E. Pikes Peak Avenue, and at 2727 Palmer Park Boulevard.
However, KRDO has learned that the latter location is now under new ownership and is renamed Modern Botany.
"We took over in December," an employee said. "We don't have any connection to the dispensary that was here before."
Mike Pi, owner of the downtown Chronic Boutique, explained how marijuana plants can become contaminated.
"It doesn't happen often, but it does happen," he said. "You have to make sure to have proper air circulation in harvested plants that are properly stored. In our case, the contamination didn't come from us. It came from our supplier, a grow warehouse in Ordway. But some of our customers thought that our dispensary was the problem, and it scared them away. We've never had this happen before."
Other affected dispensaries are in Denver, Boulder and Broomfield.
Customer Lisa Tarter was surprised to hear about the advisory as she left The Chronic Boutique and doesn't believe dispensaries are entirely blameless.
"Hopefully, they'll implement something where the dispensaries have to state that their testing is at this point or level -- so that we know before we walk back there and purchase things," she said.
Jacob, another customer, visited The Chronic Boutique for the first time Monday.
"Fingers crossed," he smiled. "I normally buy concentrate and not flower, but this situation is concerning."
The DOR said that it found contamination on marijuana flowers that passed initial testing but failed retesting; the marijuana was sold between Nov. 18 and Feb. 21.
Customers of the affected stores should check marijuana product labels for the following license numbers:
*Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility: 403-01933
*Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility: 403R-01199
*Total Yeast and Mold Contaminated Medical Harvest Batches:
WaffleconeR4HB10312022 (also failed for Aspergillus)
HBR2Cherrypunch11262022
*Aspergillus Contaminated Medical Harvest Batches:
HB081522LAKushCake
*Total Yeast and Mold Contaminated Retail Harvest Batches:
HB08112022AokiBerry
The DOR advises that anyone who has the affected products to destroy it or return is to the shop where it was purchased; anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical care immediately and report systems to the Marijuana Enforcement Division.
To read the DOR's advisory, visit: https://sbg.colorado.gov/sites/sbg/files/230309_CORRECTED_Health_and_Safety_Advisory_Green_Street_LLC.pdf.
