Brandon DunnThousands of cannabis products have been placed on administrative hold in Metrc, causing significant disruption across the state.
Yesterday, Greenway began receiving reports of products being placed on administrative hold, and while Missouri marijuana regulators have yet to make an official announcement, dispensary operators began receiving notifications with lists of product in inventory that are required to be placed on hold.
Greenway has obtained copies of Metrc notices sent to dispensary operators, indicating a wide range of brands, hundreds of SKUs, and thousands of products are affected.
Late this morning, operators received the following update from regulators, “Marijuana product in the licensee’s inventory has been placed on administrative hold due to a state investigation. Pursuant to 19 CSR 100-1.100(4)(P), the Department of Health and Senior Services may immediately place marijuana product on administrative hold where the product presents a potential threat to health and safety. Product must remain on administrative hold until such time as the Department determines the product is safe, may be remediated, or must be destroyed. Please see the attached notice for additional information and required actions.”
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation responded to an inquiry from Greenway with the following statement, “The Department has implemented two administrative holds. The first hold was completed on Friday night. Impacted product was immediately flagged in Metrc with notice of the hold, including that the reason for hold was a state investigation, and a group of licensees received additional notice by email on Saturday morning. The second hold was completed in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Once again, impacted product was immediately flagged in Metrc with notice of the hold, including that the reason for hold was a state investigation, and a group of licensees received additional notice by email this morning. Email notices explain that marijuana product in the licensee’s inventory has been placed on administrative hold due to a state investigation, that pursuant the Department of Health and Senior Services may immediately place marijuana product on administrative hold where the product presents a potential threat to health and safety, and that product must remain on administrative hold until such time as the Department determines the product is safe, may be remediated, or must be destroyed. As you know, the Department does not share details of ongoing investigations.”
According to the Metrc notices, packages in dispensary inventories have been placed on administrative hold as part of an ongoing investigation.
The affected products span numerous categories, including vape cartridges, edibles, infused pre-rolls, and more.
Licensees have been directed to segregate the affected packages to prevent further transfers and potential cross-contamination. They are prohibited from giving away, transferring, transporting, or destroying the products until further guidance is provided.
As the investigation unfolds, dispensaries, manufacturers, and consumers alike await more information from the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation.
For updates on this ongoing situation, continue to follow Greenway for the latest developments and official statements from regulatory authorities.
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