The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy announced Monday that it has filed a civil lawsuit against three companies, alleging they have violated Minnesota s edible cannabinoid laws.
According to the state law, an edible cannabinoid product is a product intended to be eaten or consumed by humans as a beverage. It contains a cannabinoid in combination with food ingredients and is not a drug. According to a press release, an edible cannabinoid product sold in Minnesota must not contain more than five milligrams of a hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol THC in a single serving or more than 50 milligrams per package.
The board found that the defendants, Northland Vapor Company Moorhead LLC, Northland Vapor Company Bemidji LLC, and Wonky Confections LLC, collectively Northland Vapor and operated by Brad Erpelding, were selling a product, Death by Gummy Bears, which contained 100 milligrams per serving and more than 50 times the legal limit in a single package, according to CBS MN News.
Jill Phillips, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, said that to our fellow Minnesotans, we encourage you to be cautious when purchasing and consuming edible cannabinoid products.
The suit alleges that Northland Vapor has violated state law because of its cannabis edibles, which are similar to products marketed to children, which is totally prohibited. Phillips said that the board is seeking a court order to destroy $7 million worth of retail products that are in violation of state laws, because of the fact that THC products exceeding the limits may be extremely dangerous.
There is no evidence of any harm arising from the use of Northland products. Tyler Leverington, the defendant's lawyer, characterized the lawsuit as an aggressive tactic and an effort to smear the company's reputation, said the state's effort to suggest otherwise is shameful.
Northland is a small business committed to making a quality product and now has to fight for its life against the over-zealous regulators in St. Paul who are trying to make a splash with their newly adopted law, Leverington said.
Phillips said that they needed licensing, better regulation and enforcement. The board went on record last March in support of the establishment of a cannabis management office or some sort of cannabis board that would oversee all aspects of the industry, because right now it is very lacking. In Washington state, a leaked scientific report shows that high-potency cannabis products are creating new regulatory risks. The report recommends policies such as preventing new users from starting to consume these products and calls on companies to provide more information to consumers.
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