FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021

CONTACT: Melissa Anders, Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, (517) 329-2480

Viridis Laboratories files suit against Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency over cannabis recall

LANSING and BAY CITY, Mich. — The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency’s recent recall of cannabis products tested by Viridis Laboratories was unjustified, prejudiced and retaliatory, according to a complaint filed in the Michigan Court of Claims on Monday.

“The recall is the latest and most egregious action by the MRA in a prolonged campaign of harassment aimed at Viridis,” said David Russell, attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. “Unfortunately, this latest effort by the MRA has caused huge disruption and chaos in the industry, harming small businesses and besmirching Viridis’ reputation with no basis in science.”

“The MRA has disregarded industry experts, widely accepted scientific practices, caused disruption through its reckless and arbitrary decision-making, and ultimately put the patients and consumers it is charged with protecting at risk,” said Kevin Blair, attorney with Honigman, LLP. “There is no public health or safety risk justifying the recall at all, and we respectfully request the Court to provide relief to Viridis and bring accountability and oversight to an agency that has far exceeded its authority.”

The recall announced on Nov. 17 is the largest in state history and represents an estimated $229 million in cannabis products. Key aspects of the complaint include:

  • The MRA violated state law and its own administrative rules

    by effectively shutting down both of Viridis’ labs (Viridis Lansing and Viridis Bay City) without following — and even repeatedly refusing to follow — well-established procedures that mandate licensees must have an opportunity to present their case to an administrative law judge. It appears the MRA has deliberately circumvented those well-established procedures in hopes of avoiding any oversight at all.

  • The MRA problematically involved Viridis’ competitors in its investigation,

    and refused calls that an independent third-party should be deployed.

  • The MRA knew the results of the competitors’ audit tests three weeks before it actually issued a recall

    raising real questions about the validity and urgency of the alleged public health risk.

  • Multiple respected national experts contacted the MRA and informed them that a recall was unwarranted

    and the MRA’s rationale was flawed, but the MRA insisted on issuing the recall anyway.

  • The MRA has continually moved the goalposts

    when Viridis has tried to rectify the situation.

  • The MRA’s recall is overbroad

    by including products tested by the Viridis Bay City laboratory, even though all products that allegedly failed retesting were tested at the separate Viridis Lansing facility.

  • The products that allegedly failed retesting concerned aspergillus,

    yet the MRA recall included all products tested by Viridis, even those that Viridis did not test for aspergillus.

Viridis Laboratories

Ensuring Health and Safety Within The Cannabis Industry

Viridis Laboratories is the leading provider of cannabis testing in Michigan and uses the latest technology and scientific methods to help promote the health and safety of patients and adult-use consumers