Oregon recalls marijuana strain for pesticide contamination in Portland, Salem

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issued a recall for the marijuana strain “Gary Payton” on Dec. 23.

The strain of marijuana was recalled after tests revealed that the buds contained traces of the pesticide imidacloprid. When heated, the pesticide emits toxic vapors of nitrogen oxides and chloride, according to the National Library of Medicine.

“Consumers who purchased the recalled product are encouraged to destroy them,” the OLCC stated in its recall announcement. “The OLCC has not received any health-related complaints from the use of the recalled product.”

The tainted batch was harvested in June of 2024 and, starting in July, was sold at two dispensaries in Portland and one in Salem. The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission said that it’s working to remove the product from all retail stores. 

The affected marijuana was produced by the company Lopaka Farms LLC under the brand Atlas Farms. The OLCC previously fined Atlas Farms in June of 2021 for failing to prove that several of its employees had valid marijuana worker permits.

The product tested positive for the pesticide on July 16. There is an active investigation to determine how and why the tainted product made it to customers. Consumers with health concerns about the recalled product are asked to contact the Oregon Poison Center.