Winnipeg cannabis producer faces second round of Health Canada recalls

Health Canada has issued a recall of a number of cannabis products sold by a Winnipeg producer for what it termed “record keeping issues.”

The 14 lots of Bonify dried cannabis products have production documents that may not meet the requirements under the Cannabis Regulations, according to the health agency.

“In addition, eight of the recalled lots also have a labelling error where the cannabinoid values are reversed,” read the recall notice posted to Health Canada’s website on Monday. “The THC value should be the THC Total, and THC Total should be the THC value. The CBD value should be CBD Total and CBD Total should be the CBD value. One lot has a ‘less than’ sign present next to the CBD value.”

Among the products affected are Critical+ 3.5 grams and 7 grams, White Widow 3.5 grams and 7 grams, Sensi Star 3.5 grams, Wappa 3.5 grams, White Berry 3.5 grams and 7 grams and CBD Shark Shock 3.5 grams.

Approximately 5,883 unites of the dried cannabie products were sold through two Saskatchewan retail stores – New Leaf Emporium and Spiritleaf – and through the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries retail outlets between Oct. 22 and Dec. 20.

Health Canada says to date, no complaints have been received related to the recalled lots and neither the agency or Bonify has received any adverse reports over the recalled products.

Consumers are asked to stop using the affected products immediately and contact the provincial retailer from whom they purchased the products.

Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said after Manitoba suspended Bonify’s sales last week that he believed illegal cannabis entered the legal distribution system.

Pallister was upset with the lack of communication from Health Canada about that recall, and called it a “black day” for the legal cannabis system.

This is the second recall involving Bonify produced products this month. Back on Dec. 7 Health Canada recalled two brands of dried cannabis which were sold in three retail stores in Saskatchewan because they did not meet “the microbial and chemical contaminant limits as specified by the Good Production Practices requirements of the Cannabis Regulations.”

The products affected were Cherry Lime 3.5 grams and Warlock Kush 3.5 grams.

Bonify’s board of directors issued a statement last week saying irregularities in its recalled products at the time were revealed in “a thorough review by Health Canada and independent third-party consultant, RavenQuest Technologies Inc.”

“An investigation into these irregularities is ongoing and Bonify’s board will be able to provide further comment at the appropriate time after the investigation reaches its conclusion,” the company said.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report