Global Impact of Non-essential Heavy Metal Contaminants in Industrial Cannabis Bioeconomy

Abstract

The intrinsic signatures of Cannabis species to bioaccumulate non-essential harmful heavy metals (HMs) are substantially determined by their high tolerance, weedy propensities, phenotypic plasticity attributes, and pedoclimatic stress adaptation in an ecological niche. The detection trends of HMs contaminants in cannabis products have reshaped the 2027 forecast and beyond for global cannabis trade valued at $57 billion. Consumer base awareness for the cohort of HMs contaminants viz., lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and radioactive elements, and the associative dissuading effects significantly impact cannabis bioeconomy. On the premise that fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) could be repurposed to diverse non-consumable products, concerns over HMs contamination would not significantly decrease fiber trade, a trend that could impact globally by 2025. The economic trend will depend on acceptable consumer risk, regulatory instruments, and grower's due diligence to implement agronomic best practices to mitigate HMs contamination in marketable cannabis-related products. In this unstructured meta-analysis study based on published literature, the application of Cannabis species in HMs phytoremediation, new insights into transportation, distribution, homeostasis of HMs, the impact of HMs on medical cannabis, and cannabis bioeconomic are discussed. Furthermore, a blueprint of agronomic strategies to alleviate HMs uptake by plant is proposed. Considering that one-third of the global arable lands are contaminated with HMs, revamping global production of domesticated cannabis requires a rethinking of agronomic best practices and post-harvest technologies to remove HMs contaminants.