Ask About Pesticide Testing of Your Legal Marijuana
Although marijuana is legal in some states, pesticide use laws come from the federal government, leaving marijuana growers with no guidance on what is safe to spray. Recent studies have shown that toxic pesticides are overused, but in some places you may ask for laboratory reports.
Most states do not require pesticide testing , according to Bethany Sherman, executive director of the Cannabis Safety Institute and CEO of a cannabis testing laboratory . Even where they do, “just because a product meets government regulations does not mean it is clean.” She recommends asking for a Certificate of Analysis from a testing lab, and to really know what you’ll be injecting into your body, take some time to dig:
For consumers, the best way to make sure they are getting a clean product is to do a little work. Knowing the manufacturer / manufacturer and their methods is the best first step. Many farmers and growers (at least in legal states) are willing to provide tours to interested parties. Teaching laboratory testing methods is another great way to learn which laboratories are giving reliable results. Many laboratories also offer tours. Find out what instruments are used for testing and how they compare to other accredited pesticide testing laboratories. Are laboratory chemists experienced in testing for pesticides and other contaminants?
In other words, approach pesticides for marijuana the same way you approach pesticides in food : by learning how a farmer grows his product and what he puts on it.
Pesticide Testing | Institute for the Safety of Cannabis Across the Atlantic
Photo by Brett Levin .
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