Class action lawsuit against cannabis firm Organigram will proceed to trial in Nova Scotia

A class action lawsuit targeting Canadian licensed medical marijuana grower Organigram has been approved to proceed to trial by the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

The suit stems from product recalls that took place between Dec. 28, 2016, and Jan. 9, 2017, in which Organigram said banned pesticides, myclobutanil and/or bifenazate, were discovered in some of its medical cannabis.

The suit alleges the named plaintiff suffered adverse health effects from the product.

It also alleges that Organigram’s “design, development, testing, manufacturing, distribution, sale and marketing of its purported organic medical cannabis were negligent” and that the product was “unsafe and harmful.”

The company said it is reviewing the court’s decision to determine whether it will appeal.

“Organigram management does not anticipate that the class action – including the resolution thereof – will impact its business or operations in any material manner,” the company said in a news release.

Amid calls for stricter product testing standards, Health Canada started unannounced inspections at licensed cannabis cultivators in February 2017 to ensure that only registered pesticides are being used.

Organigram was stripped of its organic certification as a result of the recalls but was recertified organic with Ecocert Canada last October.

To sign up for our weekly international marijuana business newsletter, click here.