Is Your Marijuana Safe? Study Exposes Disturbing Truth About Illicit Products

A recent study in Canada revealed a significant discrepancy in safety between cannabis produced for the legal market versus the illegal.

The study – recently published in the Journal of Cannabis Research - found that 92% of unregulated cannabis tested positive for "23 unique pesticide active ingredients with 3.7 different pesticides identified on average per sample," in contrast to just 6% of regulated products, reported Marijuana Moment.

The findings were based on testing of 36 marijuana samples gathered from retailers that legally sold it and 24 illicit samples that were seized by law enforcement. 

The researchers identified Chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, and myclobutanil in illicit samples at "concentrations up to three orders of magnitude above."

The study's authors noted that the results are a testament to the hard work that the Canadian cannabis sector has undergone over the years.

"Albeit being a small study, our results do support the Government of Canada messaging where 'Consuming illegal products could lead to adverse effects and other serious harms," the authors said.

Tainted Cannabis Products In The U.S.

In the U.S., cannabis regulators have been busy as well.

Nevada cannabis regulators kicked off 2023 by listing over 100 dispensaries that have been selling marijuana products that were treated with an "unapproved pesticide." The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board said in January, the pesticide Ethephon was detected in more than 117 infused edible products, 41 infused pre-roll products and 221 solvent-based concentrates sold statewide,

In April, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board has temporarily shut down several outdoor cannabis farms and processing facilities in north-central Washington after tests showed high levels of chemicals related to DDT, a pesticide that was banned in the US in 1972. 

As an answer to numerous similar scenarios nationwide, Congress members Scott Peters (D-CA) and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) refiled legislation seeking to crack down on the use of banned pesticides on illegal marijuana grows on public land.

Titled Targeting and Offsetting Existing Illegal Contaminants (TOXIC) Act, the bill addresses and rectifies the environmental damage being done by illegal pesticides.

The study results come on the heels of growing discussions on regulating cannabis testing labs, as federal regulations for marijuana are lacking.

The struggle to establish standardized testing methods has left state agencies grappling with varying results and calls for uniformity in the industry.

Interested in learning more about this important issue of cannabis lab testing and regulations? Meet us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, the place where deals get done, in Chicago on Sept 27-28. 

Get your tickets today before prices increase and secure a spot at the epicenter of cannabis lobbying, investment, and branding. 

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