Product Recall FAQs

What is a cannabis product recall?

A cannabis product recall occurs when a product is removed from the market because it may not meet required safety, testing, labeling, or quality standards. 

Recalls may happen if:

• Laboratory testing results are found to be inaccurate or unreliable

• A product may contain contaminants

• Required safety standards were not properly met

• There is another issue that could affect consumer safety Recalls are issued to of caution to protect public health and ensure products available in New York meet state safety requirements. 

How do I know if a product has been recalled?

The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) maintains a list of current recalls here. To check if your product is affected:

• Locate the product name and lot number on your package

• Compare that information to the current recalled product list.

• If your product matches a recalled lot, you should stop using it.

Why are cannabis products recalled?

Cannabis products may be recalled for several reasons, including:

• Problems with laboratory testing or reporting

• Detection of contaminants such as mold, heavy metals, pesticides, or other harmful substances

• Labeling or packaging errors that could impact consumer safety

• Failure to meet required regulatory standards

If testing results are inaccurate or unclear, product safety cannot be confirmed, and a recall may be issued as a precaution.

What are the potential health concerns?

Health concerns depend on the specific reason for the recall. In some cases, products may contain contaminants such as:

• Mold (Aspergillus), which can affect breathing and may pose higher risk for people with asthma, lung disease, or weakened immune systems.

• Heavy metals (such as cadmium), which can build up in the body over time and may affect organs like the kidneys and lungs.

Not everyone who used these products will experience health effects. Recalls are intended to reduce potential risk.

Who may be at higher risk?

Certain individuals may be more sensitive to contaminated products, including:

• People with asthma or chronic lung disease

• Individuals with weakened immune systems

• Older adults

• People who inhale cannabis products or

• Frequent cannabis consumers

If you have health concerns, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I do if I have a recalled product?

If you purchased a recalled products:

• Stop using it immediately. 

• Talk to your doctor or call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 if you feel sick or have any bad reaction. Call 911 if you are experiencing a medical emergency. 

• If you had a problem after using this or any other cannabis product, please fill out the Incident Report Form available here.

Can I return a recalled product?

If you purchased a recalled product, you should contact the dispensary where you bought it for specific return instructions.

Under New York State cannabis regulations:

• Dispensaries must have recall procedures that explain how recalled products are handled

• Returned recalled products cannot be resold or put back into inventory

Refunds, store credit, or exchanges may depend on the dispensary’s policies and recall procedures. The dispensary you purchased the product(s) from can explain what options are available to you.

What if I already used the product?