Pesticides are forbidden for use in medical cannabis cultivation under Massachusetts’ regulations and, based on a recent report by the Cape Cod Times, the state’s health department just slapped M3 Ventures with a cease-and-desist and quarantine order.

Pesticide concerns and stiff regulatory oversight has led to the closure of M3’s medical cannabis dispensaries in Mashpee and Plymouth.

As per orders from the state’s health department, retail closures are occurring due to improper pesticide use following cannabis testing in Massachusetts.

M3 Ventures fails cannabis testing in Massachusetts: Who is M3 Ventures?

Formerly known as Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts, M3 Ventures prides itself on providing registered patients with “all-natural” cannabis for medical use.

Their medicinal products are provided to registered patients at the Triple M dispensaries through which it operates. Triple M’s dispensaries can be found in Plymouth and Mashpee, MA.

Unfortunately, due to the results of cannabis testing in Massachusetts, the dispensaries must now suspend medical cannabis sales until further notice.

Representatives claim that they were unaware that their grower was using pesticides. However, a further comment has been postponed until they arrange a meeting with regulators.

State data reveals 700 batches fail cannabis testing in California

It’s not just M3 Ventures that’s in trouble. According to data revealed by the State of California, in excess of 700 batches of cannabis or cannabis-manufactured goods have not passed pesticide testing.

California’s cannabis testing program has exposed numerous companies for conducting dishonest practices in accordance with pesticide rules. Sequoia Analytical Labs is an example. The Sacramento-based company forfeited its license when state regulators discovered that the facility was carrying out improper pesticide testing.

Sequoia got rid of its lab director after the state’s cannabis testing failed due to a malfunctioning instrument that was unsuccessful in detecting 22 of 66 obligatory pesticides. This is based on a statement published on the company’s website.

According to Sequoia, the lab tester “knew about this and was secretly falsifying the results” since the first day of July. Following the incident, Sequoia is reportedly attempting to have its license reinstated.

Consumers spent $440,000 on cannabis products in Massachusetts on the first day of recreational sales

Despite failed cannabis testing in Massachusetts, the “Bay State” is doing pretty well since its legal adult-use cannabis market launched on November 20, 2018. By the end of the first day of sales, two stores pulled in a total of $440,011.

Combined, the stores stock over 10,700 individual cannabis products, based on official data from the state Cannabis Control Commission. Examples of the products on offer to recreational cannabis consumers in Massachusetts include THC-infused edibles, pre-rolled joints and concentrates, e.g. oils and waxes.

The $440,011 figure was calculated before the state’s tax cut. By merging a 6.25 percent sales tax with a 10.75 percent excise tax on cannabis, the State retains 17 percent of the total recreational cannabis sales. Nonetheless, the state still managed to rake in around $74,800.