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Return to Home PageReturn to Lesson 2: ContaminantsContinue to Microbes SubpageContinue to Heavy Metals SubpageContinue to Lesson 3: Experience

Pesticides and Chemicals Often Found in Cannabis Products

     

Common Use: Fungicide (mildew) 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Hydrogen cyanide; liver, reproductive toxicity


Regulatory Status / Notes: Banned in CA; Prop 65 listed; responsible for 22% of cannabis recalls

Common Use: Insecticide (mites, thrips) 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Neurotoxicity; hydrogen cyanide release on combustion


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in vapes; banned for food

 Common Use: PGR; dense buds


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Hormonal disruption; neurotoxicity; toxic gases on heating


 Regulatory Status /Notes: Banned food; found in cannabis

Common Use: Insecticide (aphids)


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Reproductive toxin; endocrine disruptor


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in cannabis samples

Common Use: PGR


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Carcinogenic UDMH production; liver toxicity


Regulatory Status / Notes: Banned for   food; found in cannabis nutrients

Common Use: Neonicotinoid insecticide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Neurodevelopmental toxicity; cyanide risk on combustion


Regulatory Status / Notes: Banned in EU; 8.3% of cannabis pesticide recalls

Common Use: Organophosphate


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Neurotoxic; cognitive damage, endocrine disruption


Regulatory Status / Notes: Banned agriculturally; occasionally detected in cannabis 

Common Use: Fungicide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Liver toxicity; hydrogen cyanide production on heating1 


Regulatory Status / Notes: Found in cannabis; inconsistently regulated

Common Use: Miticide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Liver toxicity; aquatic toxicity


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in CA cannabis shelf tests

Common Use: Fungicide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Developmental toxicity; endocrine effects; environmental persistence 


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in   flower and vape samples1

Common Use: Miticide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Liver and thyroid toxicity; toxic smoke generation


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in   extracts; regulations vary by state.

Common Use: Insecticide


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Seizures; reproductive toxicity; extremely toxic


Regulatory Status / Notes: Globally banned; occasionally found in illicit cannabis

 Common Use: Miticide


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation):  Developmental toxicity; endocrine disruption


Regulatory Status / Notes: Found  frequently in cannabis tests 

Common Use: Fungicide 


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Liver, kidney toxicity; endocrine disruptor


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in US cannabis despite EU (European Union) bans on the fungicide



Common Use: Pesticide synergist  


Key Health Risks (Including Inhalation): Neurotoxicity; probable carcinogen; reproductive harm


Regulatory Status / Notes: Detected in retail cannabis; limited regulation.

Pesticide Exposure Paths

"Independent Labs in California detected multiple banned pesticides in flower samples that had previously passed official testing, exposing a serious enforcement gap."

Los Angeles Times (Search your Stash)

Timeline: Documented Pesticide Failures in Cannabis

2013

  • Informal evidence suggests pesticide residues were pervasive in the unregulated cannabis market.


  •  A laboratory study found up to 69.5% transfer of pesticide residues into inhaled cannabis smoke. Pesticides studied included bifenthrin, diazinon, permethrin, and paclobutrazol.

2014

  • Regulatory commentary highlighted the federal regulatory vacuum, creating inconsistent and risky pesticide enforcement across legal states.


  • Regulatory toxicologists noted that the federal ban on cannabis prevents the EPA from issuing pesticide guidance, leaving states to establish fragmented and inconsistent pesticide rules. 

2015

  • Denver issued two cannabis product recalls due to pesticide contamination


  • The Werc Shop and Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office found bifenthrin contamination at levels up to 1600× the legal digestible limit.

2016-2017

  • Oregon found multiple pesticide residues in regulated cannabis


  •  Canada and Colorado reported myclobutanil contamination, a fungicide known to release hydrogen cyanide upon combustion


  •  2017: Example: 93% of 44 cannabis samples from California retailers tested positive for pesticide residues.


  • A laboratory analysis conducted by SC Labs and Steep Hill found pesticide contamination in over 80% of California cannabis samples submitted during early regulation rollout.

2018

  • California implemented mandatory pesticide testing under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA)


  • Despite being considered the most comprehensive testing requirements at the time​, gaps in enforcement allowed variability in lab practices to persist, ultimately undermining public trust.


  • California issued its second voluntary cannabis product recall

2019

  • Regulatory bodies established stricter pesticide standards, though inconsistencies remained


  • An Oregon study exposed ongoing unregulated pesticide residues in cannabis products


  • A survey found that over 80% of seized cannabis flower in California was contaminated with pesticides


  • A study by Craven et al. found that pesticide and heavy metal residues persisted in California cannabis despite the onset of mandatory testing.

2020-2021

  •   Pesticide contamination remained a leading cause of cannabis recalls, highlighting persistent failures in testing oversight.


  •  Despite new mandatory testing, up to 40% of recalls in some states (e.g., Michigan, Colorado, Oregon) were still pesticide related.2,3§ California compliance testing showed pesticide failure rates of 2.3% for flower. Common contaminants included boscalid and chlorpyrifos


  • Shelf testing of retail cannabis products found banned pesticides including chlorfenapyr and paclobutrazol.


  • Oregon recalled pesticide-contaminated marijuana product


  • Michigan faced public scrutiny after pesticide-contaminated cannabis reached dispensary shelves.

2022

  • A study demonstrated significant state-by-state variability in cannabis pesticide regulation and action levels20


  • Oregon audits revealed that labs were omitting required pesticide panels entirely, undermining enforcement.


  • A state-by-state comparison by Jameson et al. found wide variability in pesticide action limits across legal markets, raising public health concerns. 

2023-2024

  • Whistleblower reports in Massachusetts revealed lab shopping to evade pesticide detection requirements


  • In 2023, NY Cannabis Insider uncovered that many legal cannabis products had pesticide, heavy metal, and microbial contamination levels far exceeding medical thresholds, while regulators minimized the threat​.


  • A Syracuse.com investigation found legal cannabis in NY exceeding medical thresholds for pesticides and metals, with regulators failing to act.


  • Nevada suspended multiple labs in 2023 for THC inflation and failure to detect contaminants.


  • A consumer group tested 13 cannabis products in New Jersey. Over 60% failed for contaminants, including banned pesticides.


  • A global web survey of cannabis growers across 18 countries found widespread use of unregulated chemical additives and pesticides in small-scale cultivation. (Lenton e al., 2024; Int. J. Drug Policy)


  • The Los Angeles Times tested 150 cannabis products, uncovering widespread contamination. Results: 269 product recalls, multiple lab citations, and a $3.2 million fine against a major cannabis brand.


  • Whistleblower warnings were ignored until public exposure forced enforcement action.


  • Public outcry led California lawmakers to demand tougher cannabis safety reforms and propose new testing regulations.


  • Reports surfaced of licensed growers knowingly applying illegal pesticides to crops.

2025

  • State health officials in California and New York have opened formal investigations into pesticide-related lab fraud and are drafting new legislation to create centralized reference labs. 


  • California counties have begun declaring “Cannabis Safety Emergencies” in response to ongoing pesticide contamination and ineffective state intervention. 

References/ SUGGESTED FURTHER READING

1. St. John, P., Greene, S., & Elebee, L. I. (2024, December 19). Search your stash: 538 cannabis pesticide tests show what’s In your weed. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-19/we-tested-cannabis-products-for-pesticides-how-dirty-is-your-weed

 2. Hom, S. (2024, May 23). Recalls and regulations: Unsafe for consumers, bad news for Growers. Medicinal Genomics. https://medicinalgenomics.com/recalls-and-regulations-unsafe-for-consumers-bad-news-for-growers/  

3. The American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS). (2024, December 10). The highs and lows of cannabis testing. AOCS. https://www.aocs.org/resource/the-highs-and-lows-of-cannabis-testing/  

4. St. John, P. (2025, March 3). Contamination fears drive push to remake State Cannabis Agency. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-03/frustrated-by-state-delay-a-county-declares-a-cannabis-health-emergency 

5.Lenton, S., Potter, G., Fortin, D., Granville, A., Grigg, J., Sevigny, E., Wilkins, C., Decorte, T., & Barratt, M. (2024). Growing practices and the use of potentially harmful chemical additives from a web survey of mainly small-scale cannabis growers in 18 countries. The International Journal of Drug Policy, 104662-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104662 

6. Seltenrich, N. (2019). Into the Weeds: Regulating Pesticides in Cannabis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(4), 42001-. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5265 

 7. Toth, J., & Rawson, J. (2024a, January 19). Pesticides in cannabis - an explainer. Institute of Cannabis Science. https://cannsci.org/f/pesticides-in-cannabis---an-explainer?page_id=285&blogcategory=Pesticides 

8. Toth, J., & Rawson, J. (2024, January 22). Pesticides found in cannabis during recent shelf tests. Institute of Cannabis Science. https://cannsci.org/f/pesticides-found-in-cannabis-during-recent-shelf-tests?page_id=285  

9.Casacchia, C. (2024, July 2). Pesticide scandal shakes confidence in California cannabis market. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/pesticide-scandal-shakes-confidence-in-california-cannabis-market/ 

10. St. John, P. (2024, December 19). New tests find “hidden” pesticides in more California weed brands. regulators ignored warnings. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-19/california-weed-cleanup  

11. Stone, D. (2014). Cannabis, pesticides and conflicting laws: The dilemma for legalized States and implications for public health. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 69(3), 284–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.05.015 

12. Sullivan, N., Elzinga, S., Raber, J. C., & Bursian, S. J. (2013). Determination of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis Smoke. Journal of Toxicology, 2013(2013), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/378168 

13. Kim, K.-H., Kabir, E., & Jahan, S. A. (2017). Exposure to pesticides and the associated human health effects. The Science of the Total Environment, 575, 525–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.009

14. McHardy, I., Romanelli, A., Harris, L. J., Opp, G., Gaudino, R., Torres, A., Polage, C. R., Tuscano, J. M., & Thompson, G. R., 3rd (2018). Infectious risks associated with medicinal Cannabis: Potential implications for immunocompromised patients?. The Journal of infection, 76(5), 500–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2018.01.010 

15.Craven, C. B., Wawryk, N., Jiang, P., Liu, Z., & Li, X.-F. (2019). Pesticides and trace elements in cannabis: Analytical and environmental challenges and opportunities. Journal of Environmental Sciences (China), 85, 82–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2019.04.028

16. Atapattu, S. N., & Johnson, K. R. D. (2020). Pesticide analysis in cannabis products. Journal of Chromatography A, 1612, 460656–460656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460656 

17. Seltenrich, N. (2019). Cannabis Contaminants: Regulating Solvents, Microbes, and Metals in Legal Weed. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(8), 82001-. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5785 

18. St. John, P. (2024, December 19). Cannabis conundrum: Legal doesn’t mean clean; illicit isn’t always dirty. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-19/legal-and-illegal-cannabis-products-pose-hidden-health-risks

19. Jameson, L. E., Conrow, K. D., Pinkhasova, D. V., Boulanger, H. L., Ha, H., Jourabchian, N., Johnson, S. A., Simeone, M. P., Afia, I. A., Cahill, T. M., Orser, C. S., & Leung, M. C. K. (2022). Comparison of State-Level Regulations for Cannabis Contaminants and Implications for Public Health. Environmental health perspectives, 130(9), 97001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11206

 20. Gibson, J. (2025, March 17). N.J. Cannabis Fails Safety Tests, consumer group finds. NJ. https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2025/03/nj-cannabis-fails-safety-tests-consumer-group-finds.html?outputType=amp 

 21.Racino, B. (2023, September 20). NY’s testing failures expose legal weed consumers to unsafe cannabis; a “serious health threat.”Syracuse. https://www.syracuse.com/marijuana/2023/09/nys-testing-failures-expose-legal-weed-consumers-to-unsafe-cannabis-a-serious-health-threat.html  

22. Schaneman, B. (2022, October 17). Nevada Marijuana Lab hearing further highlights industry’s testing woes. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/nevada-marijuana-lab-disciplinary-hearing-further-highlights-industrys-testing-woes/  

23. Schaneman, B. (2021, December 18). Nevada regulators launched an investigation into Cannabis Testing Labs. MJBizDaily. https://mjbizdaily.com/nevada-regulators-investigate-marijuana-lab-testing-facilities/  

Lesson 2 Quiz

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Quiz 2
Return to Home PageReturn to Lesson 2: ContaminantsContinue to Microbes SubpageContinue to Heavy Metals SubpageContinue to Lesson 3: Experience
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