Oregon Halts Aspergillus Testing: A Risk to Public Health?

Introduction

Oregon’s Court of Appeals has temporarily suspended aspergillus testing rules in the cannabis industry. While some hail this as a win for business, it draws significant concern for consumer safety, especially for the immunocompromised population.

The Legal Landscape: Business vs. Safety

The suspension came after a lawsuit from the Cannabis Industry Alliance of Oregon and three smaller cannabis companies. They argue that such rigorous testing would threaten their already thin margins. The court agreed, granting a temporary stay, but at what cost to consumer safety?

What is Aspergillus and Why Should You Care?

Aspergillus is a common fungus found in soil and airborne spores. While generally harmless to healthy individuals, it poses a severe threat to people with compromised immune systems, leading to aspergillosis, a potentially fatal infection.

Aspergillus (Source: CDC)

There have been documented cases directly linking cannabis products contaminated with Aspergillus spores to these infections.

The Business Perspective: Less Testing, More Profit

Jesce Horton from LOWD in Oregon weighs in on the topic: “I think it’s a good thing for sure. We didn’t have many problems with it but cannabis is tested way more than the food we eat so adding tests that aren’t proven to be necessary is a bad thing.”

According to Horton and other industry insiders, the Aspergillus testing regulations were excessively stringent compared to other industries, like food and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, they argue that this extra layer of testing drove up operational costs, making the market less competitive.

The Vulnerable Population: Who Stands to Lose?

People with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk. However, cases have even been reported among otherwise healthy individuals, as was the case in 2016 with a cannabis user. The increasing use of immunosuppressants and treatments like stem cell therapy have likely raised the risk profile for aspergillosis infection, thus necessitating safety measures in the form of radiation and stringent testing.

Safer Alternatives and Consumer Awareness

Fortunately, medical cannabis in edible or ingestible forms does not pose this risk. The stomach’s acidic environment is not conducive for Aspergillus to thrive. However, consumers might not be aware of this nuance, which makes the role of government regulations and public awareness campaigns even more critical.