Health Canada issues recall for cannabis products containing undeclared intoxicating cannabinoid

An Alberta-based cannabis company has recalled several cannabis oils and soft gels due to the “alleged presence” of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), considered by Health Canada to be an intoxicating cannabinoid.

HHC is a “semi-synthetic CBD” often synthesized from CBD.

The recall includes six lots of products from cannabis manufacturer iNaturally Organic Inc’s Emprise CBN+CBD 50mg Softgels, NuLeaf Naturals 1800mg Full Spectrum Hemp with Multicannabinoid Oil Softgels and NuLeaf Naturals 1800mg Full Spectrum Cannabinoid Extracts.

NuLeaf Naturals Oil contains Delta 9, CBC, CBD, CBG and CBN each at 3mg per softgel. NuLeaf Naturals Softgels contain CBC, CBD, CBG and CBN, each at 15mg/ml.

The recalled products were sold in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon, and through medical cannabis platforms Herbal Dispatch, Open Fields Winnipeg and Médicibis.

Health Canada says the recall is due to the identified risk of the alleged presence of hexahydrocannabinol, which consumers may not be aware of. To date, iNaturally Organic Inc. says it has received two reports of negative feedback regarding these products. Health Canada has received three adverse reaction reports and one complaint related to these products.

8,526 units of Emprise CBN+CBD 50mg Softgels, 2,286 units of NuLeaf Naturals 1,800mg Full Spectrum Soft Hemp Oil (with Delta 9, CBC, CBD, CBG and CBN 3 units in softgels, 3mg 2 and CBN) were distributed. ) of NuLeaf Naturals 1,800 mg full-spectrum multicannabinoid hemp oil (CBC, CBD, CBG and CBN, each at 15 mg/ml) distributed from December 2022 to May 31, 2024.

Health Canada says consumers should stop using the product immediately, or return the product to where it was purchased or throw it away.

Mukhdeep Mangat, VP of operations at Emprise, tells StratCann that they have independent lab tests that do not show the presence of HHC and were surprised by Health Canada’s findings.

“Analytical testing labs working with iNaturally Organic did not detect HHC in any of the products prior to batch release.”

“iNaturally Organic received two reports of adverse events for all three products combined. Health Canada received three reports of adverse events and one complaint. Adverse event reports and complaints totaled six reports after sales of more than 10,000 total units of the three products, or less than one in 1,000 units.

“iNaturally Organic prioritizes the health of its customers and is investigating Health Canada’s assertion of the alleged presence of HHC, despite no evidence of HHC in products from analytical testing laboratories working with iNaturally Organic.”