Similar to testing our food for chemicals and pesticides, our cannabis deserves the same attention, too. Unfortunately, due to the illicit federal status of the plant, many large cannabis operations are not enforced to regulate or test for the use of pesticides. 

With no external agencies supervising this, pesticide toxicity is becoming a rising concern for the legal cannabis industry. It can be quite serious not only for your crop/products, but for the overall health of consumers across the country. 

Keep reading to learn why pesticide residue testing is important.

 

A Toxic Reputation 

In regards to the gardening and agricultural industry,  you’re likely to have heard of the term pesticides (no matter what sort of crop is being grown).

Pesticides are a substance used for destroying insects or other organisms that can be risky or harmful to the growth cycle of plants. Often composed of a liquid or soluble substance, pesticides are intended to eliminate pests, insects, mold, fungicides, and bacteria.

Depending on the method of cannabis cultivation, many cultivators and farms resort to pesticides/insecticides to ensure their cannabis crop is safe from any unwanted pests or plant diseases. 

Agricultural elixirs and remedies are often experimented with to get rid of these insects and pests, but there are some ingredients that cannabis cultivators and farmers should be aware of. 

For cannabis cultivation, some of the most common pesticide products you’ll find available today contain active ingredients that may be risky or harmful to one’s overall health, long-term. 

Some of the top toxic pesticides often used in cannabis cultivation include: 

  • Imidacloprid
  • Abamectin
  • Etoxazole 
  • Myclobutanil
  • Spiromesifen

While not every pesticide chemical and ingredient used in cannabis is necessarily considered bad or toxic, there are plenty out there that have become a safer solution for this crop. 

Therefore, it’s important for cannabis to go through cannabis and CBD lab testing. 

Because of the varying pesticides and chemicals used for cultivation, pesticide toxicity testing is important to provide clean, safe, and consistent medicine for consumers. 

 

The ‘Unregulated Concern’ in Cannabis

In comparison to the cannabis industry, pesticides are constantly being regulated, tested, and reported in the fruits and vegetables we eat every day. 

In fact, in a 2011 FDA-conducted study, it was reported that an estimated 37.5% of our food is contaminated with some amounts of pesticides. 

But, fear not! Fortunately, the FDA has worked for decades to produce studies and publications determining what exact levels of toxicity produce potential harm. 

Pesticide use in food and agricultural farming is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – however, due to the illegal federal status of cannabis, the EPA has not approved or provided any regulations for pesticide use on the plant. 

This means that without any type of agency control or regulation, cannabis can be cultivated with any type of pesticide or insecticide chemical present. 

According to a recent study, there currently are 33 states that have some sort of action level regulating pesticides in cannabis. 

 

Why Testing for Pesticide Toxicity Matters 

No matter how this medicine is consumed, it’s crucial to have cannabis and hemp products accurately screened in a way that provides safety for all consumers. A recent study in the Journal of Toxicology sheds light on this importance:

Considering the various cultivation methods used for cannabis and hemp, an estimated 70% of pesticides sprayed on these crops can transfer into the body through inhalation or ingestion. 

Inhaling or digesting these harsh chemicals from plant pesticides can possibly pose serious health risks, such as liver or lung damage, weakened muscles, or risk of cancer growth. 

By testing your cannabis flower and concentrates for pesticide toxicity, you’re ensuring you’re providing your customers with the safest, cleanest, and most trustworthy plant medicine. 

 

Highgrade Labs: Honest Cannabis Testing for Pesticide Toxicity 

The cannabis crop is a valuable symbol of the power of plant medicine for all, and should be regulated and protected as such. Pesticide toxicity can be not only detrimental to your overall crop, but for the health of your consumers. 

Each of our Highgrade Labs locations offer pesticide residue testing for hemp/cannabis flower and concentrates.

Our labs adhere to the regulatory requirements of each state program — always providing exceptional, honest lab results and analytics. 

 

Learn more about cannabis lab testing education and information by bookmarking our blog page. 

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