Paraquat in Marijuana

The use of pesticides in Belgian illicit indoor cannabis plantations

“…Although we did not determine pesticide concentrations as such, the present study shows that pesticides are extensively used in illicit indoor cannabis plantations. Earlier research mainly focused on paraquat residues in confiscated cannabis samples [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Research on pesticide prevalence and use in liquids and on material other than plants in indoor cannabis plantations is scarce.…”

“…They comprise the fungicides promocarb, tebuconazole, propiconazole and tolylfluanid, the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, bifenthrin and hexythiazox. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, paraquat residues were found on confiscated cannabis samples [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Recently paraquat, together with other herbicides such as glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid were detected on illicit cannabis samples from unknown origin in Brazil [14].…”