News
Tainted Cannabis Prompts Statewide Recall in Colorado: CDPHE Flags Contaminated Products
<p data-start="333" data-end="758">A popular cannabis brand sold across Colorado has been pulled from shelves after state health officials discovered traces of unapproved pesticides in its pre-rolled joints and flower products. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a consumer safety advisory on Wednesday, urging immediate disposal or return of the affected marijuana—some of which made its way to Western Slope dispensaries.</p>
<p data-start="760" data-end="953">At the heart of the recall is Verv LLC, doing business as Dadirri, a producer whose products were distributed to 40 retail cannabis stores statewide between April 24 and June 5.</p>
<h3 data-start="955" data-end="994">Contaminated Cannabis: What to Know</h3>
<p data-start="996" data-end="1102">The recall, announced by CDPHE on June 12, 2025, includes specific batches of cannabis labeled as follows:</p>
<ul data-start="1104" data-end="1247">
<li data-start="1104" data-end="1144">
<p data-start="1106" data-end="1144">65088 &#8211; DE &#8211; Caviar &#8211; Creamsicle</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1145" data-end="1187">
<p data-start="1147" data-end="1187">65090 &#8211; DE &#8211; Caviar &#8211; Sherbert Pie</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1188" data-end="1247">
<p data-start="1190" data-end="1247">65324 &#8211; Dime &#8211; Strawberries N Cream 1g (2 x .5g each)</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="1249" data-end="1543">These pre-rolls and infused flower products were found to contain pesticide residues that are not authorized for use on marijuana in Colorado. Health officials did not disclose the exact pesticides involved but stated that testing identified contamination that exceeded state safety thresholds.</p>
<p data-start="1545" data-end="1769">According to CDPHE, while no illnesses have been officially reported as of yet, consumers are urged to take caution and seek medical attention if they experience any adverse effects after using the recalled products.</p>
<p data-start="1771" data-end="1900">&#8220;If no symptoms are present, return the product to the place of purchase for safe disposal,&#8221; said the department in its advisory.</p>
<p data-start="1771" data-end="1900"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13072" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Colorado-cannabis-recall-marijuana-pesticide-contamination.jpg" alt="Colorado cannabis recall, marijuana pesticide contamination" width="729" height="407" /></p>
<h3 data-start="1902" data-end="1943">Western Slope Retailers Also Affected</h3>
<p data-start="1945" data-end="2218">While the CDPHE has not released the names of the 40 affected stores, it confirmed that some dispensaries on the Western Slope received contaminated stock. That includes regions such as Grand Junction, Delta, Montrose, and possibly others in Mesa and Garfield counties.</p>
<p data-start="2220" data-end="2366">With no specific store names disclosed, consumers across the region are being asked to check their product packaging for matching batch codes.</p>
<p data-start="2368" data-end="2590">The recall is expected to ripple through many small dispensaries that rely on third-party growers like Dadirri to stock their shelves with affordable, infused pre-rolls—especially popular among casual and first-time users.</p>
<h3 data-start="2592" data-end="2638">Cannabis Recalls: Not Common, But Not Rare</h3>
<p data-start="2640" data-end="2703">This is not Colorado’s first brush with cannabis contamination.</p>
<p data-start="2705" data-end="2988">Since recreational sales became legal in 2014, the state has established one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks for marijuana testing in the U.S. Yet occasional recalls still occur—usually due to pesticide residues, mold, or yeast contamination that escape pre-sale testing.</p>
<p data-start="2990" data-end="3199">According to CDPHE records, there were three cannabis recalls in 2024 related to similar pesticide violations. However, this is one of the largest recalls of 2025 in terms of retail reach and duration.</p>
<h3 data-start="3201" data-end="3244">What Makes Pesticides a Problem in Pot?</h3>
<p data-start="3246" data-end="3589">Unlike fruits or vegetables, cannabis is inhaled rather than ingested—making pesticide residues potentially more harmful, even in small doses. Burning tainted flower or oil can release toxic fumes, especially if the compounds involved include myclobutanil, bifenthrin, or pyrethroids, which are banned for cannabis use in Colorado.</p>
<p data-start="3591" data-end="3833">The state’s marijuana enforcement laws require mandatory testing for certain categories of contaminants, but spot testing and batch-based quality control mean that not every single item is individually verified—allowing occasional lapses.</p>
<p data-start="3835" data-end="4124">“It’s one of the challenges of this industry,” said a cannabis compliance officer familiar with Colorado’s regulatory system. “When you’re scaling up production and packaging thousands of pre-rolls, a single bad batch can make its way through multiple locations before someone catches it.”</p>
<h3 data-start="4126" data-end="4155">What Should Consumers Do?</h3>
<p data-start="4157" data-end="4320">Anyone who purchased cannabis in Colorado between April 24 and June 5—particularly infused products or pre-rolls under the “Dadirri” or “Dime” branding—should:</p>
<ul data-start="4322" data-end="4663">
<li data-start="4322" data-end="4405">
<p data-start="4324" data-end="4405">Check the product’s batch number and strain name against the recall list.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4406" data-end="4453">
<p data-start="4408" data-end="4453">If it matches, stop using it immediately.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4454" data-end="4540">
<p data-start="4456" data-end="4540">Return the product to the dispensary where it was purchased for proper disposal.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4541" data-end="4663">
<p data-start="4543" data-end="4663">Consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, or any unusual reaction.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="4665" data-end="4900">No criminal charges or fines have been announced in connection with the contamination, but the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) is conducting a parallel investigation alongside CDPHE to determine how the pesticide use occurred.</p>
<h3 data-start="4902" data-end="4953">Industry Response: “Disappointing, But Fixable”</h3>
<p data-start="4955" data-end="5205">The cannabis industry—still fighting for legitimacy in many parts of the country—is taking the news seriously. While some retailers expressed frustration over the lack of early notice or a full store list, others applauded the state’s swift response.</p>
<p data-start="5207" data-end="5450">“We’ve pulled the product from shelves already,” said a Western Slope dispensary manager who asked not to be named. “It’s disappointing, of course, but it’s part of operating in a highly regulated industry. We’re accountable for what we sell.”</p>
<p data-start="5452" data-end="5520">A spokesperson for Dadirri has not yet responded to press inquiries.</p>
<h3 data-start="5522" data-end="5565">A Cautionary Tale as the Market Expands</h3>
<p data-start="5567" data-end="5830">Colorado’s cannabis market continues to grow, especially in more rural areas where dispensaries have seen increased foot traffic from tourists and medical users alike. But this recall serves as a reminder that even in a mature market, vigilance is still required.</p>
<p data-start="5832" data-end="5953">As one local cannabis advocate put it: “This is why we need strict testing. Not to punish growers—but to protect people.”</p>