A recent investigation has uncovered widespread pesticide contamination in California's legal cannabis products, with regulators failing to address known issues in the industry's testing protocols.
Testing of over 150 cannabis products revealed that approximately half of the vapes examined contained undisclosed pesticides in air samples that current state regulations don't monitor. Even more concerning, the investigation found that legal cannabis products sometimes carried heavier pesticide contamination than items from the unregulated market.
One striking example involved a legal Backpack Boyz vape purchased from a licensed store in Atwater, which contained 32 different pesticides. The manufacturing facility responsible for this product was subsequently shut down by state regulators.
The investigation highlighted pymetrozine, an insecticide popular among Santa Cruz County cannabis farmers for controlling aphid infestations. Despite being reported as used 76 times by one cultivation manager between 2021-2022, this carcinogenic substance isn't included in California's mandatory screening protocols.
Industry experts note particular concerns about pesticide exposure through inhaled cannabis products like vapes and pre-rolls. When heated, certain pesticides can degrade into harmful gases including hydrogen cyanide, with risks increasing through repeated exposure.
The California Department of Cannabis Control maintains that licensed products offer greater safety than unregulated alternatives. However, test results show similar pesticide contamination rates between legal and illegal products, with both markets showing contamination in about half of the samples tested.
The investigation also revealed the presence of prohibited synthetic THC in products from four legal brands, highlighting additional gaps in the state's testing requirements. While other states like Michigan have implemented expanded testing protocols, California regulators have been slow to adopt more comprehensive screening methods.
As consumers continue purchasing these products, many cannabis brands have promised to address contamination issues. However, most haven't warned customers about potentially tainted products remaining on store shelves.