High Times and Low Standards: The Spectacular Stumbles of Sky Labs
Editor’s Note: Part 2! The saga continues! There’s more to this story I’ve learned since hearing about these new charges and I’d like to go over the history of Sky Labs and their blunders. It’s hard work and a lot of money to run your company right. — Magic Plants
In Michigan’s evolving cannabis landscape, not all companies prioritize compliance and safety equally.
In Michigan’s evolving cannabis landscape, the contrast between companies prioritizing safety and those cutting corners has never been starker. While Glacier Cannabis has built a reputation for consistently clean test results, the ongoing saga of Sky Labs serves as a cautionary tale for both the industry and consumers.
As of August 2024, Sky Labs faces new allegations from the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), adding to its troubled history.
Consumers should be wary of the following brands associated with Sky Labs:
- Sky Labs
- Motor City Cannabites
- Chewii
- Bossy
- Flight
Recent allegations against Sky Labs include purchasing 130,300 grams of THCA isolate from an unlicensed Colorado business, failing to properly track products, and multiple issues with surveillance and labeling.
This comes on the heels of a series of violations from 2021-2022, including:
- $20,000 fine for underreporting vape cartridges and failing to test for banned chemicals
- Surrender of medical marijuana processor license and $100,000 fine for safety violations
- Vitamin E acetate found in vape products, linked to serious health issues in the 2019-20 vape crisis
- Failed safety testing for banned chemical residues
- Unauthorized addition of melatonin to edibles
- Distribution of mislabeled edibles resulting in a child’s hospitalization
While Glacier Cannabis has focused on small-batch cultivation and rigorous quality control, Sky Labs’ operational issues have included improper waste management, tracking discrepancies, and inadequate security measures.
The implications for the industry are significant:
- Product Safety: Glacier’s consistently clean tests highlight the importance of rigorous quality control, in contrast to Sky Labs’ history of unauthorized additives.
- Local Sourcing: Unlike Sky Labs’ out-of-state purchases, Glacier’s commitment to local sourcing aligns with state regulations.
- Inventory Control: Glacier’s small-batch approach allows for precise tracking, contrasting with Sky Labs’ Metrc discrepancies.
- Regulatory Compliance: Glacier’s successful navigation of state regulations stands in stark contrast to Sky Labs’ repeated violations.
Despite its troubling history, Sky Labs maintains a significant market presence, particularly through its Bossy vape brand. This raises questions about consumer awareness and regulatory effectiveness. I’ll never buy their products again, that’s for sure.
For consumers, the choice is clear: opting for brands with proven track records of compliance and quality, like Glacier Cannabis, ensures a safer experience and supports higher industry standards. By avoiding products from Sky Labs and its associated brands, consumers can help shape a more responsible cannabis industry in Michigan. Stay tuned to see how this story unfolds.
— Joe M. (Magic Plants)
Want more info? Make sure you read Part 1 of this story by clicking here.
Sources: MidMichiganNow CannabisBusinessTimes
- Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) Complaint against Sky Labs, August 2024
- Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) public records
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on 2019-2020 vaping-associated lung injury outbreak
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statement on vitamin E acetate in vaping products
- Michigan Cannabis Industry Association (MCIA) compliance guidelines
- Glacier Cannabis internal quality control reports and testing data
Note: This article is based on publicly available information and official reports. Glacier Cannabis has not been involved in any of the regulatory actions mentioned regarding Sky Labs and its associated brands.
