logo
Massachusetts Cannabis Contamination Crisis Exposes Federal Negligence While DEA Targets Science, Not Safety

Massachusetts Cannabis Contamination Crisis Exposes Federal Negligence While DEA Targets Science, Not Safety

Where Is the DEA? The Real Threat Isn't Research-It's Rotten Weed.
'This is the height of hypocrisy, " said Duane Boise, CEO MMJ. " DEA bureaucrats are blocking clean cannabis grown in a DEA inspected cultivation facility, while contaminated products circulate freely under their watch. The agency has abandoned its duty to protect patients.'
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / August 7, 2025 / While the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission scrambles to contain a major public health scandal involving 544 contaminated marijuana samples, Thomas Prevoznik and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-the agency that claims to 'protect public health and safety from the dangers of drugs"-is nowhere to be found.
According to a Public Health and Safety Advisory issued today by the Massachusetts Commission, contaminated and potentially contaminated marijuana products were sold throughout the state between April 1, 2024, and April 15, 2025. The issue? The products failed Total Yeast and Mold testing -a serious risk to patients and consumers, especially those who are immunocompromised. Yet this failure of regulatory oversight occurred right under DEA's nose, in a federally illegal marketplace they claim to police.
So, we ask again: Where is the DEA?
Moldy Marijuana, Real Harm
Massachusetts authorities have confirmed that hundreds of samples tested positive for contaminants but were somehow allowed to enter commercial circulation. This isn't about labeling violations or clerical errors-it's about inhaled mold, a known trigger for respiratory infections, allergic reactions, and even long-term lung damage.
The contaminated products were tracked using Metrc, a seed-to-sale traceability system required by law. The system worked. But what failed? Federal oversight, accountability, and DEA enforcement.
DEA Targets Science, Not Safety
While moldy weed was being sold to unsuspecting patients, what was the DEA doing?
Let's be clear: the DEA is not protecting public health. It's obstructing it.
The Real Threat Isn't Research-It's Rotten Weed
The DEA's warped priorities are now a matter of public danger. Instead of helping to build a controlled, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis pipeline, the agency enables a fragmented, state-by-state chaos where contaminated products slip through the cracks and patients pay the price.
Ironically, the same agency that refuses to allow MMJ to grow clean, pharmaceutical cannabis in a DEA inspected facility also looks the other way as moldy, hazardous marijuana circulates in retail dispensaries.
MMJ BioPharma: Compliant, Blocked, and Ignored
MMJ BioPharma has:
And yet- after seven years -no federal approval.
A Simple Question for Administrator Terry Cole
Now that the Senate has confirmed Terry Cole as DEA Administrator, the public deserves an answer:
Will you keep blocking clean, FDA-regulated cannabis research while patients unknowingly inhale moldy weed from state markets you refuse to regulate?
The answer to that question will define not only your legacy-but whether the DEA finally chooses science over sabotage.
Final Thoughts
The DEA says it exists to fight drug abuse and protect public health. But in the face of real harm- contaminated marijuana entering legal markets -it's missing in action.
It's time for a new era of leadership. One where medical science leads, and moldy lies die.
The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.
MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.
CONTACT:
Madison Hisey
[email protected]
203-231-85832
SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings
press release
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump admin may reclassify marijuana: Would that make it legal in the US?
Trump admin may reclassify marijuana: Would that make it legal in the US?

The Hill

timea minute ago

  • The Hill

Trump admin may reclassify marijuana: Would that make it legal in the US?

(NEXSTAR) — At the end of last year, it seemed that marijuana could be rescheduled in the U.S. That idea came screeching to a halt when proceedings were put on pause in January. There were early hopes that the then-incoming Trump administration would get the ball rolling, but that didn't immediately materialize either. On Monday, however, President Donald Trump confirmed his administration is 'looking at' reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. 'We're looking at reclassification, and we'll make a determination over, I'd say, the next few weeks,' Trump said during a press conference, The Hill reported. Can TSA stop you for marijuana in your luggage? Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, but the latest efforts, launched under the Biden administration, would put it as a Schedule III drug. The process of rescheduling marijuana — or trying to — has historically played out over years and even decades, Paul Armentano, the deputy director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), previously told Nexstar. It's difficult to say how fast efforts could play out now, but Heather Trela, director of operations and fellow at the Rockefeller Institute, told Nexstar in April that they could be fueled by Trump. 'If President Trump made this a priority, I think this would move,' she explained. If it does happen, it would be the largest DEA policy change in more than 50 years, but you may not notice an immediate impact. If marijuana is rescheduled, will it become legal nationwide? The short, immediate answer is no. As a Schedule I controlled substance, marijuana is considered by the DEA to be it without a 'currently accepted medical use' and has a 'high potential for abuse.' Heroin and LSD are also Schedule I drugs. The Department of Health and Human Services recommended in 2023 that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug. Ketamine and some anabolic steroids are Schedule III substances, which have a 'moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.' Even if marijuana is rescheduled, it would still be a controlled substance that's subject to federal rules and regulations. More importantly, rescheduling does not decriminalize marijuana or make it legal for recreational use on the federal level. Instead, the medical uses of cannabis would be recognized, and federal regulators would acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs. It would also become easier for marijuana research to be conducted. Companies could see a cut in the federal taxes they pay, too. Currently, businesses involved in 'trafficking' in marijuana or any other Schedule I or II drug can't deduct rent, payroll or various other expenses that other businesses can write off. Industry groups say the tax rate often ends up at 70% or more. As a Schedule III drug, marijuana would still be regulated by the DEA and the thousands of dispensaries nationwide would have to register with the agency, just as pharmacies do. Critics say this would come with strict reporting requirements, something dispensaries may despise and the DEA may not be ready for. Trump promised lower grocery prices 'on Day One.' Here's what happened The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation's criminal justice system would also likely be more muted, since federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years. Then there's the United States' international treaty obligations, chief among them the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which requires the criminalization of cannabis. In 2016, during the Obama administration, the DEA cited the U.S.' international obligations and the findings of a federal court of appeals in Washington in denying a similar request to reschedule marijuana. Where do state efforts to legalize marijuana stand? More than three dozen states have legalized some form of medical marijuana already. Nearly half have legalized it for recreational use among adults. Meanwhile, some states that have already legalized marijuana have seen efforts to roll back voter-approved laws or repeal them. That includes Ohio, where some have been trying to rewrite the recreational marijuana law voters approved two years ago. Other states have made adjustments to aspects of the law, like lowering legal potency levels, Trela said. In some cases, like Virginia, lawmakers have been unable to pass a sales bill, so while possessing cannabis is legal, there is nowhere in the state to legally purchase it. The federal government could, however, turn over the decision of legalization to the states, as it did during prohibition. A bill introduced in the House earlier this year could do just that. The bipartisan STATES 2.0 Act would 'end the federal prohibition of cannabis and allow states to determine their own cannabis policies.' It has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

What's Really Inside Your Supplements? This Founder Is Uncovering the Truth Behind the $180 Billion Industry
What's Really Inside Your Supplements? This Founder Is Uncovering the Truth Behind the $180 Billion Industry

Entrepreneur

timea minute ago

  • Entrepreneur

What's Really Inside Your Supplements? This Founder Is Uncovering the Truth Behind the $180 Billion Industry

From creatine to NAD+, this company is uncovering the truth behind mislabeled, underdosed and overhyped products. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. I recently wrote about creatine and profiled Jeff Byers, co-founder of Momentous, for a reason: integrity matters. When it comes to what we put in our bodies, especially for entrepreneurs aiming to optimize energy, recovery and longevity, founders and consumers deserve transparency and truth. And yet, the supplement industry is booming with very little of either. We're in the middle of a health optimization gold rush. Creatine gummies, NAD+ capsules, sleep pills and brain-boosting stacks are everywhere. Scroll Instagram, walk into Erewhon or search Amazon, and you'll find thousands of options. The global supplement industry is growing fast and is expected to top $240 billion by 2028, yet many of these products do not contain what they claim to. You may be spending $30, $50 or $90 on a supplement and getting barely a trace of the active ingredient, or in some cases, nothing at all. Unlike pharmaceuticals, supplements don't require FDA approval before hitting the market. That creates a loophole where products can launch quickly, and claims, unless dangerously false, go largely unchecked. And it's not just obscure or small brands. Some of the top-selling supplements on Amazon are underdelivering, misleading or worse. That's where Steve Martocci and SuppCo come in. Martocci, best known for founding the music-tech platform Splice, is now on a mission to fix one of the most frustrating problems in wellness: a lack of transparency. SuppCo is a health tech startup that independently tests supplements and publishes public reports that give consumers one thing the industry often avoids: truth. CEO and Co-Founder, Martocci, struggled with his health for most of his life, reaching nearly 300 pounds despite playing three sports and training consistently. Martocci said to me, "Traditional medicine failed me. I remember being told my labs were on the 'low end of normal' and that nothing could be done. It was completely disheartening." After selling GroupMe to Skype, Martocci discovered functional medicine and began working with a doctor on a tailored supplement stack. He lost nearly 100 pounds over the next year and realized that even though supplements had become mainstream, there was no software actually to help people navigate this space. The supplement industry is a $180 billion market, yet it's filled with confusion, noise and a multitude of products that don't deliver what they promise. With SuppCo, Martocci is on a mission to transform how people discover, manage and optimize their supplement routines. Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success. I was introduced to SuppCo's work through their recent Creatine Gummies Report. Creatine, which I personally take and have written about, is one of the most well-researched supplements for both brain and physical performance. But not all products are created equal. SuppCo tested five popular creatine gummy brands sold on Amazon. Only two passed. One contained less than 25% of the labeled amount. SuppCo recently published a report on NAD+ supplements, a trending ingredient in the longevity and cellular energy space, which tested nine products and was even more revealing. 4 passed (Double Wood, Rho Nutrition Liposomal, NatureBell and Thinbi), with Thinbi exceeding its claim at 103%. 5 failed, including Maripolio, which showed 0% of its claimed NAD+. Others tested at less than 3% of the listed amount on the label. NAD+ was the perfect follow-up to the creatine testing series because it represents everything confusing about the supplement space right now. Martocci explained that NAD+ is one of the fastest-rising compounds in longevity and biohacking, endorsed by scientists and influencers, but it's also one of the most confusing for consumers. Martocci said, "You can supplement with NAD+ itself or its precursors like NR and NMN, and most consumers don't understand the bioavailability differences between the three and that one of them is distinctly worse." When we see brands cutting corners on things we can measure, like certifications and testing transparency, they're usually cutting corners on things we can't see too, like what's actually in the bottle. As NAD+ continues to trend for its role in cellular repair and longevity, the gap between marketing and reality becomes even more concerning. Related: Why Top Entrepreneurs Are Swapping Beach Vacations for Longevity Retreats If you're a wellness founder, product integrity is not just a checkbox. It is the heartbeat of your brand. Jeff Byers' company, Momentous, invests in clinical research and testing not because it is required, but because it is what builds lasting trust. Byers told me, "That means showing the science, backing it up with testing, and being radically transparent with our consumers." The next generation of wellness brands will not win on hype. They'll win on data. Consumers are becoming smarter and more demanding, and they want to see the data. SuppCo has already rated over 700 brands and 22,000+ products, and their TrustScore has become remarkably predictive of testing. Now, quality brands are reaching out not just to request a TrustScore, but to get feedback on how to improve their quality practices. When choosing supplements, most people go wrong by treating supplements as if they were all the same. For example, they'll buy the cheapest magnesium without realizing that magnesium oxide has terrible bioavailability compared to magnesium glycinate. Or they'll choose a multivitamin based on how many vitamins are crammed into it, not whether those forms and doses actually work together. Jenna Stangland, co-founder of A4 health and Dietitian for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild, explains how important it is to ensure that a supplement is tested and validated, as most likely, the dose on the label may not match what is in the bottle and even worse, it could be contaminated. Stangland personally takes NAD+ regularly to support her own energy and help her body adapt to stress and inflammation as she's on airplanes and traveling with teams multiple times per week. Having only tested the creatine and NAD+ categories, SuppCo is just getting started. The company plans to test every major supplement category where there's confusion or questionable quality. This includes protein, magnesium, pre-workouts and nootropics — anywhere consumers are making decisions based on incomplete information, their aim is to bring transparency. Related: Are Your Employees Stressed? You Need to Embrace Transparency. A big milestone they hit recently is the launch of SuppCo Pro, a premium subscription that unlocks deep personalization features. They have received strong user response to their Personal Nutrient Plan, which creates tailored supplement recommendations based on a user's specific goals, as well as their Product Optimizer, which suggests higher-quality, better-value alternatives to what a user is currently taking. This is where the real magic happens, as they can offer truly personalized guidance. I personally appreciate how easy it is to understand their public reports. On the app, you can quickly see whether a product passed or failed, and why. They even launched a browser extension that flags whether the supplement you're browsing has been independently tested. For those of us who care deeply about healthspan, recovery and long-term performance, this kind of transparency is a game-changer.

Scientists standing by to rescue rare manatee sighted in cold New England waters
Scientists standing by to rescue rare manatee sighted in cold New England waters

Associated Press

time2 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

Scientists standing by to rescue rare manatee sighted in cold New England waters

BOSTON (AP) — A manatee was recently spotted off the coast of Massachusetts for the first time in almost a decade and scientists want to monitor its condition to see if a rescue is necessary before it succumbs to the cold water or lack of food, they said Friday. The threatened species, which makes its habitat in warmer southern Gulf waters in places like Florida, was first seen July 26 off the southwestern coast of Cape Cod in the area of Nantucket Sound. Mashpee resident Jennifer Sullivan took a video of it swimming alongside paddle boarders in an inlet behind a marina surrounded by sea grass. She said on Monday that she found the manatee, which was as long and wide as her paddleboard, 'just lazing around there in the grass going as slowly as possible.' 'It was completely unfazed by us,' said Sullivan, who went on to say she felt 'just in awe of how graceful the creature was and to be so close in the wild to it.' A few days later, the animal was seen stranded on the tidal flats in Mattapoisett. Bystanders who found the manatee beached on the flats around sunrise pushed it back into the water, said Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Protected Species Program Manager Erin Burke. It hasn't been spotted since, Burke said, but a team with the International Fund for Animal Welfare is standing by to rescue the animal if it becomes necessary. The species prefers swimming in warmer waters, usually traveling only as far north as the Carolinas. If the manatee stays in water that is too cold for too long, it could suffer severe illness or death, said New England Aquarium Research Scientist Dr. Nadine Lysiak. Additionally, manatees are herbivores that sustain themselves on extensive seagrass beds and mangroves not typically found in New England. 'Even if it doesn't experience cold stunning, it may have some health declines associated with not having enough food, not having enough water,' she said. 'So it's important to intervene as soon as it's sighted again to prevent health declines.' Lysiak said it's unclear how and why the manatee found its way so far north. It may have followed the warm water Gulf Stream current system from Florida up past the Carolinas and eventually found its way to New England, she said. 'We have kind of an average understanding of what a wild population does in terms of their range, or their habitat range, and some individuals will go beyond that and maybe wander or seek out other habitats or other food sources,' she said. 'It's hard to know exactly why this manatee came to Cape Cod.' Manatee sightings are uncommon in New England, but not unheard of. In 2008 and 2009, different manatees were sighted in Cape Cod Bay — the furthest north the animals have ever been identified. Both were eventually rescued, with one dying on the trip to Florida for rehabilitation. The other survived the trip south, living until 2018. In 2016, a manatee was spotted off the coast of Falmouth. In 2023, one of the animals was seen in Rhode Island. Anyone who sees the manatee is asked to document their GPS position and call the stranding network hotline, (508) 743-9548. Sullivan said she feels 'blessed that I could be in the right place and the right time to see the creature,' and she's hoping it's healthy and safe. 'I pray he just turned right around and went back south,' she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store