Michigan laboratory sues marijuana regulator

The company, which is at the center of Michigan’s largest marijuana recall to date, filed a lawsuit against the state marijuana regulator on Monday. The recall, published last week, affects more than 400 outlets across Michigan and represents an estimated value of cannabis products worth $ 229 million, according to the lawsuit.

"The MRA has disregarded industry experts and generally accepted scientific practices, causing disruption through their reckless and arbitrary decision-making, and ultimately endangering the patients and consumers it is designed to protect," attorney Kevin Blair said in a statement Tuesday.

Last week, the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency issued a recall for all marijuana products other than inhaled cannabis concentrate that were tested by testing facilities Viridis Laboratories and Viridis North between August 10 and November 16. The agency said it had found "inaccurate and / or unreliable results" from the products tested by the facilities and advised those who have "potentially harmful products" to properly dispose of or retest.

Viridis Laboratory described the recent recall as unwarranted, biased and retaliatory. "Blair said the recall" does not pose a public health or safety risk to justify it. "

"The recall is the latest and most egregious act by the MRA in a long-running harassment campaign against Viridis," lawyer David Russell said Tuesday. "Unfortunately, this latest attempt by the MRA has resulted in tremendous disruption and chaos in the industry, harming small businesses and ravaging the unscientific reputation of Viridis.

The lawsuit alleges that regulators unlawfully closed Viridis' facilities and initiated the recall, despite experts believing it to be unjustified. The lawyers have asked the court to "exonerate Viridis and bring to account and supervise an authority that has far exceeded its powers."

The state regulator said they are investigating the recall incident. At the time of the recall, Viridis Laboratories said it was "fully cooperative".

The Michigan marijuana regulator told CBS News that it has no comment on any pending litigation.