California Cannabis Crisis: Dangerous Pesticides Found In Popular Weed Products, Investigation Reveals

A joint investigation by The Los Angeles Times and cannabis industry newsletter WeedWeek has revealed alarming levels of pesticides in cannabis products sold across California dispensaries. The findings, published in the LA Times on Friday, highlight significant health risks and exposed regulatory shortcomings, as 25 out of 42 tested products contained pesticide concentrations exceeding state and federal safety standards, including chemicals linked to cancer, liver failure and neurological harm.

According to interviews, confidential lab reports and public agency records, there’s been a rise in pesticides being smuggled from China that "contain chemicals not permitted in the United States, nor screened for in legal weed."

Some of these illegal pesticides, say the authors, are so toxic that law enforcement officers who encounter them are advised to use respirators and wear hazmat suits.

"Repeated inhalation of pesticide residues through regular smoking or vaping is quite concerning as this is a relatively direct route of exposure into the bloodstream," said Kimberly Paul, an epidemiologist and assistant professor in neurology at UCLA who was lead researcher on the Central Valley study.

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Vapes Contain Most Egregious Amount Of Chemicals

Vapes from five well-known brands had pesticide loads that exceeded the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk thresholds for harm from a single exposure. Some products were found to contain as many as two dozen different pesticides.

The investigation aligns with numerous complaints filed over the past eight months by two private cannabis testing labs, which reportedly found pesticide contamination in products certified as safe by other labs.

Economic Incentives Driving The Contamination

The expanding legal cannabis market, opine the report's authors, encourages intensive cultivation practices to maximize yield, often leading to the use of pesticides to protect high-value crops from insect infestations in greenhouse environments. Also, the "soaring demand" for vapes has increased the need for bulk cannabis oils, frequently produced from lower-quality cannabis, sometimes grown illegally.

California's testing requirements have not been updated to include newer, more dangerous chemicals currently used in cultivation, noted the report.

Severe Health Implications

The estimated five million Californians who consume cannabis products on a regular basis are at risk, but especially those who use it for medical conditions. The growing use of contaminated vapes, particularly among young adults who may view vaping as a healthier alternative to smoking, exacerbates these public health concerns.

The Times and WeedWeek said the California Department of Cannabis Control declined to provide an interview or release information on its testing capabilities and any actions taken regarding the pesticides. The response has drawn criticism from private labs and industry stakeholders.

Where's The Governor?

Despite several recalls of contaminated products, the report contends that many tainted batches are still on store shelves. Frustrated by the slow response, Josh Swider, CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and cannabis regulators. "Those failing products alone represented 150,000 packages of flower, vapes or pre-rolls for sale to unsuspecting consumers," Swider wrote. "The government's responsibility does not end after writing regulation."

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