Pesticides in cannabis: A review of analytical and toxicological considerations

Abstract

A review of the literature surrounding the use, analysis, and detection of pesticide material for cannabis cultivation is presented. The use of pesticides in crop cultivation is not new, and cannabis crops are no exception. Studies have found that the use of these are common and that high levels of the pesticides are transferred into the cannabis smoke. The most common pesticide classes associated with cannabis are insecticides, acaricides, and fungicides. Over 350 different pesticide products may be used on cannabis materials and of these, 16 pesticides and three plant growth regulators (PGR) are considered to be the main candidates. Many of the pesticides found in cannabis samples destined for consumption are classed as moderately hazardous by the World Health Organization. Analytical methods for pesticide detection on cannabis are being developed with a view to implementing quality control of cannabis, where it is legal, before being sold. However, no standardized protocol exists. The pesticide levels found in the cannabis samples tested were generally low (less than μg/g), these results do not, however, provide information on chronic low-dose adverse effects of pesticides in relation to cannabis consumption. Currently no research exists on the toxicity of pyrolyzed pesticides in humans from smoking cannabis. More studies are needed to further understand this potentially harmful health threat. K E Y W O R D Scannabis, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, pesticides, toxicity

Analysis of the California list of pesticides, mycotoxins, and cannabinoids in chocolate using liquid chromatography and low‐pressure gas chromatography‐based platforms

“…Relevant studies seeking to address the need of reliable testing methods in cannabis and its derived products have been published over the last years [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. With regards to pesticides testing, the great majority of the works have been focused on plant material [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 10 ], followed by some studies on cannabis oils [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Relevant studies seeking to address the need of reliable testing methods in cannabis and its derived products have been published over the last years [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. With regards to pesticides testing, the great majority of the works have been focused on plant material [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 10 ], followed by some studies on cannabis oils [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. It is worth mentioning that a stake holder panel on strategic food analytical methods recently published in the Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), a set of standard method performance requirements (SMPRs) describing the minimum recommended performance criteria for any method to be applied in the analysis of pesticides in dried cannabis [ 14 ].…”

Lc-MS/MS Use for Testing Pesticides in Cannabinoid-Containing Products

“…The large spectrum pesticides are widely sued in the cultures of plants for the control of insects, weeds and other pests. This strategy is used on the plants cultures from the Cannabaceae family, cultivated nowadays on significant areas for the production of the food supplements and pharmaceutical products [17]. A pesticide is any substance that can prevent, destroy, or repel insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, or other forms of plant or animal life or viruses, or any substance use to regulate plant growth, such as a leaf-removing or drying agent.…”

“…maximum level of pesticide residues in food, food supplements and pharmaceutical products from the entire world is not strictly regulated. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has recently released a list of 271 pesticide products approved for use on cannabis plantations [17]. The state of Colorado has compiled a list of 357 pesticide products, many of which contain the same active ingredients that are legal to use on cannabis plantations [17].…”

“…Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has recently released a list of 271 pesticide products approved for use on cannabis plantations [17]. The state of Colorado has compiled a list of 357 pesticide products, many of which contain the same active ingredients that are legal to use on cannabis plantations [17]. California monitors 66 pesticides in hemp cultures and cannabis products [2,6].…”