Uncle Ike’s in Seattle is pulling BMF products off its shelves.
The LCB also levied a $2,500 fine last month against BMF Washington, a grower in Raymond, Pacific County, after investigating a complaint. Of 17 pesticides inspected at BMF, officials found 12 of them not authorized, according to LCB records. Plant samples taken by inspectors later tested positive for unauthorized pesticides, LCB reported.
Nordhorn said he couldn’t go into more detail because BMF, which sells products under the Liberty Reach and Juju Joints brands, is under investigation. A large quantity of marijuana has been placed on hold, he said. LCB spokesman Brian Smith said BMF has requested a settlement conference.
BMF believed the food-grade pesticides it was using were allowed, but “we’ve since learned otherwise,” said BMF license-holder Peter Saladino in a statement. Saladino said the pesticides were diluted before use and he is confident tests will show no, or acceptably low, pesticide residues on its quarantined cannabis.
Ian Eisenberg, owner of the state’s top-selling store, said Uncle Ike’s in Seattle is pulling BMF products off its shelves. “We’re (expletive) furious,” Eisenberg said.
Uncle Ike’s doesn’t sell New Leaf products, he said, but is concerned that oil extracted from their plants might have been sold to other companies to use in products such as edibles.
Even if health risks are unknown about some unapproved pesticides, Eisenberg said, “there’s no reason for a store like us to even take a risk with tainted products.”
Another Seattle store, Hashtag, is pulling BMF and Dama products, said co-owner Logan Bowers. Anything with unauthorized pesticides will be destroyed, Bowers said, and edibles from other vendors that may contain Dama oil will be held until they are tested and confirmed to be free of unapproved pesticides.
