Currently broken drop function

gistfile1.txt

---
-- Drops the currently selected item and destroys it TODO: Prompt for confirmation and/or create a node.
-- @return nil
function Inventory:drop()
    if self.craftingState == 'open' then return end --Ignore dropping in the crafting annex
    local slotIndex = self:slotIndex(self.cursorPos)
    if self.pages[self.currentPageName][slotIndex] then
        local level = GS.currentState()
        local itemNode = self.pages[self.currentPageName][slotIndex].props
        local NodeClass = require('/nodes/' .. itemNode.type)
        itemNode.x = self.player.position.x
        itemNode.y = self.player.position.y
        level:addNode(itemNode)
        assert(itemNode.draw, 'ERROR: ' .. itemNode.name ..  ' does not have a draw function! Type: ' .. itemNode.type)
        assert(level:hasNode(itemNode), 'ERROR: Drop function did not properly add ' .. itemNode.name .. ' to the level!')--]]
        self:removeItem(slotIndex, self.currentPageName)
        sound.playSfx('pot_break')
    end
end

assert(itemNode.draw,... on line 14 always fails. I figured that since the node is saved in the item under props when it is added to the inventory, it would be as simple as accessing that node data and adding it to the level. I've also attempted NodeClass.new(itemNode) but that goes down a whole rabbit hole of expected data and errors when those fields are nil.

Bit stumped here. Any advice on how to proceed would be welcome.