State orders halt to sale of pesticide used on cannabis plants

The Oregon Department of Agriculture said Friday it hasordered a halt of sale and the removal of the pesticide product Guardian,which is labeled for use on ornamental, food, and feed crops for mite controlbut also used by cannabis growers.

Inaddition, ODA is asking growers who mayhave purchased the pesticide product to refrain from using it. ODA’s actionscome following an investigation of the product that found the presence of thepesticide active ingredient abamectin, which is not listed on theproductlabel.

A statewide Stop Sale, Use,or Removal Order (SSURO) has been issued by ODA to the manufacturer of Guardian,All In Enterprises, Inc. of Machesney Park, Illinois. The order calls for thecompany to immediately cease all sales, offers of sale, or otherdistributionof the product in Oregon.

The product label identifiesthe active ingredients as cinnamon oil and citric acid, and claims the product is100 percent natural.

ODA said it’s investigation was a result of concerns of productadulteration brought to the agency by a private laboratory as well asrepresentatives of the cannabis industry. ODA’s Pesticides Program obtained andsampled Guardian from several retail locations in Oregon. Laboratory analysisfound the presence of abamectin.

ODA said it is working withthe Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Liquor Control Commission to determinepotential human health concerns associated with the use of cannabis productstreated with Guardian.

“Growers are advised, in an abundance ofcaution, not touse Guardian until a review and assessment of human health concerns arecompleted,” the announcement said. “Retailers and the general public in possession of the product areadvised not to sell, offer for sale, or distribute Guardian. ODA is workingwith the manufacturer todetermine the appropriate disposition of product thatis currently in commerce or with growers.”

ODA also said it will be proceeding toaddress violations of Oregon’s Pesticide Law, which include adulteration of apesticide product, misbranding of a pesticide product, and making false ormisleading claims about a pesticide product.

Meanwhile, the agency said it continues tomaintain a list of pesticide products to help guide marijuana growers andpesticide applicators throughout the state. The guide list is available onODA’s cannabis and pesticides webpage at < http://go.usa.gov/cURJH >.

A company official declined to discuss the labeling issue when contacted by The Oregonian, but said the product has been pulled nationwide.