Inhalation of Pesticide Residues
Very little peer-reviewed research has been published on the health and safety risks associated with pes cides on dried cannabis. How- ever, the tests that have been performed show cause for significant consumer concern, particularly medical patients or those with elevated risk factors. http://www.beyondpesticides.org |
http://www.beyondpesticides.org |
As states legalize the produc on of cannabis (marijuana) for medical and recrea onal purposes, regula ons governing its cul va- on may allow the applica on of pes cides untested for use in the plant’s produc on, raising safety issues for pa ents and con- sumers. In the absence of federal regula ons governing pes cides in cannabis produc on, the use of pes cides not registered by the U.S. Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA)† is understood to be illegal. Several states have codi ed this understanding by adop ng policies that prohibit all federally registered pes cides. Other states have taken the posi on that state policy is unnecessary, since EPA has not registered any pes cides for cannabis produc on and registered pes cide use is illegal. A review of state laws conducted by Beyond Pes cides nds a patchwork of regula ons with varying degrees of protec on for consumers and the environment. Is the public adequately protected from pes cide use in cannabis produc on and residues on the crop that could be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed? Are states doing an adequate job to enforce the law? The range of state standards and the lack of a federal role in establishing which pes cides are allowed for use in the plant’s produc on raises cri cal concerns related to: (i) exposure from inhala on, inges on, or absorp on of pes cide residues on the crop; (ii) exposure to workers cul va ng the plant; and (iii) environmental contamina on and wildlife e ects. Since the federal government classi es cannabis as a Schedule 1 narco c, EPA does not establish restric ons for pes cides used in cannabis produc on, or tolerances (or exemp ons from tolerances) for allowable pes cide residues on cannabis. As a result, EPA-permi ed pes cide labels do not contain allowances for pes cide use in cannabis produc on. That might seem to be the end of the story, but, in fact, states have sought to address this issue and in some cases a rm the prohibi on (either with clear prohibitory language or through regulatory silence with an explanatory note on pes cide prohibi on), allow certain toxic pes cides with generalized label language that are exempt from tolerances, or permit pes cides that EPA has determined are exempt from registra on. In this context, toxic pes cide use in cannabis cul va on ranges from allowances of pre-plant herbicides to restric ons that only allow organic management systems without any synthe c materials. While much of the focus is on residues in inhaled, ingested, or absorbed cannabis, environmental impacts associated with growing prac ces are mostly not addressed. *Drew Toher contributed research and analysis to this inves ga ve report. †For purposes of this review, federally registered pes cides are dis nguished from pes cide exempt from federal registra on under Sec on 25(b) of the Federal In- sec cide, Fungicide and Roden cide Act (FIFRA). Registered pes cides are subject to EPA-required tes ng by the manufacturer for health and environmental e ects, while 25(b) pes cides exempt from registra on are waived from data requirements because they have been determined to contain ingredients iden ed as harmless. Page 14 Pesticides and You State of Cannabis Legalization |
Twenty-three states1 and the District of Columbia (DC) have passed medical cannabis laws as of January 2015, and, of these, four states2 and DC have voted through ballot ini a ves to allow recrea onal use. Of the 23 states, 17 states3 and DC have adopted policies or rules governing pes cide use in cannabis produc on. A review of state laws reveals a mix of approaches in the absence of federal oversight. Six states,4 generally those without medical marijuana dispensaries (where medical marijuana is sold and o en grown in greenhouses), but including California (which has legalized medical marijuana and comprises nearly 50% of cannabis sales5 na onally), are silent on pes cide use in cannabis produc on, while ve6 oth- ers speci cally outlaw any applica on of a federally registered pes- cide. Of these, three states7 have adopted a speci c requirement that cannabis is grown without any pes cides.8 As with all crop pro- duc on systems, cannabis grown without toxic pes cides not only protects the consumer from pes cide exposure, but also the work- ers who grow the crop, and the environment where it is grown.
Pesticide Residues in Cannabis
Pes cide residues in cannabis that has been dried and is inhaled have a direct pathway into the bloodstream.9 Like other foodstu s, contami- nants consumed through foods mixed with cannabis may present an exposure hazard. It is logical to assume that the prohibi on on the use of a federally registered pes cide would result in a zero tolerance or allowable residue on the consumed cannabis. However, three states10 allow cannabis to contain pes cide residues of any federally registered pes cide up to a level less than the lowest legal residue of the pes cide on food. Oregon has set a generally acceptable level of .1ppm.11 This allowance of pes cide exposure does not account for the lack of EPA review of cumula ve risk or toxic body burden associated with the ad- di onal exposure to pes cide residues from cannabis.
Inhalation of Pesticide Residues
Very li le peer-reviewed research has been published on the health and safety risks associated with pes cides on dried cannabis. How- ever, the tests that have been performed show cause for signi cant consumer concern, par cularly medical pa ents or those with ele- vated risk factors.
Studies on tobacco provide good indica ons of the threats that may arise from smoking pes cide-laced products and, thus, the importance of state enforcement. A 2002 study, published in the Journal of Chromatography A, found that 1.5-15.5% of pyrethroid insec cides on treated tobacco is transferred to cigare e smoke.12 Signi cant levels of pes cide residues were found within the ciga- re e’s co on lter. In addi on to the transference of pes cide resi- due from the dried plant to the smoker, burning can cause pyrolysis (decomposi on) of the pes cide, forming toxic mixtures13 or other toxic pes cide contaminants.14 Addi onally, unlike most packaged tobacco products, cannabis is not typically ltered when its smoke is inhaled, and therefore smokers may expose themselves to much higher levels of pes cides and degradates.
A 2013 study, published in the Journal of Toxicology, found that up to 69.5% of pes cide residues can remain in smoked marijuana.15 Filtering the smoke through water showed only a slight reduc on in pes cide residues.16 However, when ltered through co on, pes- cide levels were similar to levels in tobacco, with 1-11% of tested pes cides reaching the user. Authors of the Journal of Toxicology study note that, “High pes cide exposure through cannabis smok- ing is a signi cant possibility, which may lead to further health com- plica ons in cannabis users.” The signi cance of these results may confound studies that have associated cannabis use with nega ve health outcomes, according to researchers.17
Cannabis Legalization and Pesticide Regulations in the U.S
Breakdown of Pesticide Product Categories
Federally Registered Pes cides: Unless determined to be minimum risk and exempt from registra on, pes cides, (including herbicides, insec – cides, roden cides, an microbial products, and biopes cides) must under- go EPA’s formal registra on process, which includes a scien c assessment of the ac ve ingredient that is included in pes cide products.
Organic pes cides: Pes cides allowed for use in organic produc on must be evaluated by the Na onal Organic Standards Board for their essen ality, impacts to human and environment health, and compa bility with organic prac ces. In general, natural pes cides are allowed unless speci cally prohibited and syn- the c pes cides are prohibited unless speci cally recommended by the NOSB.
List 25(b) – Federally Exempt Minimum Risk Pes cides: Minimum risk pes cides under sec on 25(b) of FIFRA are not required to undergo the federal registra on process if their ingredients are “demonstrably safe for its intended use.”21 Some states require state-level registra on of 25(b) pes cides, but do not conduct safety tes ng.
Pes cides Exempt from a Tolerance: EPA determines certain pes cides are exempt from a tolerance on a food crop based on toxicity and exposure data speci c to the pes cides’ use pa ern. Not all 25(b) pes cides are exempt from a tolerance.
Federal Pesticide Law
Pes cide use in the U.S. is governed by the Federal In- sec cide Fungicide and Roden cide Act (FIFRA), which establishes a goal of preven ng “unreasonable adverse e ects”18 from pes cide use. The law, passed in 1947 and overhauled in 1972, sets minimum use restric ons regarding the registra on and labeling of pes cides. FIFRA is implemented in coordina on with the Federal Food Drug and Cosme c Act, which establishes toler- ance limits for allowable pes cide residues on speci c crops, unless the agency determines the pes cide is exempt from a tolerance limit. Pes cides considered minimum risk under FIFRA’s sec on 25(b) criteria are exempt from federal registra on. Examples of mini- mum risk pes cides include lauryl sulfate, white pep- per, and certain essen al oils such as castor oil, euge- nol, cinnamon oil, and soybean oil. (See box, right, on 25(b) pes cides.)
(or exemp ng from) tolerance limits for pes cide residues on can- nabis crops, and given the plant’s classi ca on as a narco c, the evalua on of pes cide use, assessment of exposure hazards, and the se ng of pes cide use restric ons by EPA is also prohibited at the federal level.
The California Response –Medical Cannabis Use
California exempli es a state with a cannabis le- galiza on law at odds with U.S. narco cs law. Vot- ers in the state in 1996 passed the rst medical marijuana law in the country, the Compassionate Use Act, Prop 215. The measure allows pa ents to grow their own cannabis and assigns the regula- on of cul va on facili es to county agencies. Because California state law and regula ons are silent on the use of pes cides on cannabis, and given that there are no pes cides registered by EPA for use on the plant, use of federally registered pes cides in cannabis cul va on is not compliant with the law.
The California regulatory response to Prop 215 raises policy gaps speci c to cannabis as both an agricultural crop and a medical drug. A 2012 re- port commissioned by California Assembly mem- ber Linda Halderman, M.D., and produced by the nonpar san California Research Bureau, inves – gated the policy gaps in medical cannabis. The report raised more ques ons than it answered. To address regulatory uncertainty, it was deter- mined cri cally important that medical marijuana be legally de ned.
However, as it stands, there is no clear determina on as to whether medicinal cannabis is an agricultural crop or a medical drug.22 In the medical context, cannabis as a medicine is nevertheless derived from a crop, and the cul va on of the crop is subject to produc on input use restric ons. The report nds that because there are no pes cide products registered for use on cannabis by EPA under FIFRA, and given that applying a pes cide for an unregistered use is illegal under pes cide law, “[California Department of Pes cide Regula on] CDPR could con scate all medical marijuana crops treated illegally with pes- cides. . .” However, the report also notes that con sca on would violate the Compassionate Use Act, which guarantees ill Californians access to medical marijuana. California’s report notes that growers can simply not spray pes cides23 in order to avoid poten al con sca- on of their crops. However, Anthony Silvaggio, Ph.D., Professor at California State University Humbolt, states in the report, “There are very, very, very few 100% organic growers.”
The Washington State Approach
–Legalization of Recreational Cannabis Use
With the passage of laws legalizing recrea onal use of cannabis in the states of Washington and Colorado in 2012 and Alaska, Or- egon, and DC in 2014, there is a growing ques on of pes cide use in cannabis cul va on. States have begun to look to EPA for guid- ance and legal authori es.
Washington state took the proac ve step of reques ng guidance from EPA, according to a September 2014 document released by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA),24 the pes cide lead agency in the state. The state received the follow- ing response from EPA:
“In determining which pes cides, if any, might be used legally on marijuana, the WSDA asked the EPA if marijuana might t into any general crop groups, such as herbs, spices or vegetable gar- dens. EPA’s current posi on is that marijuana is not an herb, a spice or a vegetable. EPA considers marijuana to be a controlled substance, and has indicated that marijuana is not listed as a crop/site on any pes cide label. However, EPA does concede that, depending on actual label language, pes- cides may be legally used on marijuana under certain other very general types of crops/sites when there is an exemp on from the re- quirement of a tolerance.”
While WSDA had indicated that its regula on of pescides in cannabis cul va on “may be rescinded or superseded at any me,” the state is allowing pes cides (i) registered by EPA and the state,25 (ii) with ac ve ingredients exempt from tolerances, and (iii) with direc ons for use on “unspeci ed food crops, home gardens, or herbs.”26 Regarding 25(b) pes cides exempt from reg- istra on, WSDA indicates that the product must be registered with the state, and must also be labeled for use on “unspeci ed food crops, home gardens, or herbs” in order to be applied to can- nabis plants. However, WSDA does not speci cally acknowledge that not all 25(b) pes cides are exempt from tolerances on food crops. Further, WSDA explains that it nds pes cide use, including broad spectrum herbicides and soil fumigants, to be acceptable prior to plan ng marijuana outdoors as long as the label on the pes cide product does not specify the food crop to be planted a er the pes cide applica on.
Other states are inves ga ng standards similar to those adopted by WSDA. Colorado has proposed new rules that call for the develop- ment of an approved pes cide list.27 In the state of Nevada, regula- tors have convened an Independent Laboratory Advisory Commit- tee to establish a list of approved pes cides. As part of Illinois’ 2013 Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, the state’s regula ons include a list of allowed ac ve ingredients, rather than a list of products. However, Illinois rules do not allow synthe c ac ve ingredients, and disallows the applica on of pes cides to cannabis crops a er its vegeta ve stage.28
Pesticides that May Be Used and Health Effects
The use of pes cides not speci cally registered for use on a crop raises health and safety issues. An allowance of a pes cide use and exposure pa ern not evaluated for its poten al health im- pacts remains a concern among health advocates.
WSDA has compiled a list of 271 allowed pes cide products that t the criteria it developed in its opinion on cannabis produc on.29 A review of the list nds pes cides exempt from tolerances by EPA, such as py- rethrins, sulfur, and essen al oils. However, it appears that WSDA does allow a 25(b) material (sodium lauryl sulfate) that is not exempt from a tolerance.30 On the other hand, the synthe c piperonyl butoxide (PBO), frequently used as a synergist to enhance the toxicity of a pes cide product’s ac ve ingredient, is allowed by WSDA because its use in crop
produc on is exempt from a tol- erance.31 (See box at le on envi- ronmental e ects of pes cides.) PBO has been linked to numerous adverse human health impacts, including cancer, neurotoxic- ity, and adverse impacts on liver func on.32 Further, while natural pes cides are usually preferable to synthe c counterparts, prod- ucts containing pyrethrins and metals present an exposure risk to workers and wildlife.
Environmental Effects of Pesticides
Analysis of the environmental e ects of pes cides is
a part of the federal registra on process, and is based upon where a pes cide is used and its rate of applica on. Given the volume of pes cides used in the cul va on of cannabis, and its poten al to be grown both indoors and outdoors, the lack of an environmental assessment of pes cides exempt from tolerance raises ques ons about poten al e ects to nontarget plants and wildlife, as well as the en re ecosystem in which they are used.
Of concern is the use of broad spectrum synthe c herbicides and soil fumigants prior to the plan ng of cannabis. Although regula- tors in those states that allow herbicide use in cannabis cul va on may not consider this a human health issue because the chemicals are not being applied directly to consumable cannabis, chemicals in the soil can be taken up by the plants, and herbicide use can re- sult in water contamina on, wildlife e ects, and injury to workers.
Testing and Labeling for Production Practices
States have taken a wide variety of approaches to the tes ng and labeling of cannabis for pes cide residue and other contaminants. Twelve states34 require regulators to test random samples of can- nabis batches, a quan ty of cannabis produced at one me, for pes cide residues. New Mexico and Vermont require tes ng only a er a complaint of contaminants has been received. The District of Columbia requires growers to create a plan to test and ensure pa ents that cannabis is free of contaminants. Delaware requires dispensaries to develop a protocol for tes ng cannabis, but does not explicitly state that pes cides must be included. While rules for recrea onal cannabis in Colorado do not mandate laboratory analysis, if tes ng is not conducted, cannabis products must dis- play a label statement that reads, “The marijuana contained with- in this package has not been tested for contaminants.”
Four states35 and DC require both residue tes ng and the label- ing of all chemical pes cides used in the produc on of cannabis. Connec cut and Illinois require labels to indicate only whether the cannabis batch passed or failed
eral registra on. A er the cita on, Wellness Connec on and other medical cannabis providers in the state successfully lobbied for a bill, LD 1531, An Act to Maintain Access to Safe Medical Marijuana, that allows the applica on of 25(b) pes cides in the produc on of cannabis. Subsequently, Becky DeKeuster, Wellness Connec on ex- ecu ve director, told the Portland Press Herald that the company is now using environmental and mechanical methods, including ben- e cial predaceous insects, such as parasi c wasps, to control pests, and that it has no need to use even the 25(b) pes cides. “It’s good to have the 25(b)’s in the toolkit,” Ms. DeKeuster said to the Press Herald. She con nued, “Are they one of the rst things we’ll use? No, they’re probably one of the last.”
A Systems Approach to Cannabis Cultivation
Five states37 and DC are currently regula ng medical cannabis with some focus on ensuring proper growing prac ces that avoid or pro- hibit the use of pes cides as a priority. The state of Connec cut banned the use of all pes cides except in cases where infesta on would result in catastrophic loss (which is not de ned). And, be- fore this applica on can occur, producers must obtain authoriza on from state regulators. This strategy puts a focus on pest preven on, yet provides a backstop in the event of an emergency. However, Connec cut’s law does not require growers to have a produc on or pest management plan in place. Regulators have discre onary authority to allow pes cide exemp ons for producers. Moreover, the state does not detail what chemicals may be allowed to be used in the event of an emergency, raising the ques on of illegal use of a
laboratory tests. Oregon does not require an indica on of pass or fail, but does require the label to indi- cate the laboratory that performed the analysis. Delaware and Massa- chuse s require labels to include an indica on that the cannabis is free of contaminants, while New Hampshire, which mandates test- ing, also requires a label to note that the product is not cer ed to be free of contaminants.
The Maine Experience
In early 2013, Wellness Connec on, a medical marijuana dispensary with several loca ons throughout the state of Maine, was ned $18,000 by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for illegal pes cide applica ons. A p from an employee led to an inves- ga on.36 At the me, Maine’s law prohibited the use of any pes cides in cannabis produc on, both feder- ally registered and exempt from fed-
Maine and DC, which prohibit cul va- on centers from using synthe c pes- cides, require producers to be able to demonstrate knowledge of organic growing methods. New Mexico has a similar requirement on organic prac- ces, but new rules may strike this provision, weakening safety standards.
Minnesota regulators have adopt- ed rules that require producers to design the cul va on process in a way that limits contamina on. Although this language is broad, it shows a focus on a systems ap- proach to pest management. Mas- sachuse s and New Hampshire have similar language within their regula ons, but go further in pro- tec ng pa ent health. These two New England states are the only ones that require growers to fol- low cul va on prac ces consistent with organic methods.
In fact, seven states39 and DC cite organic produc on in their regu- la ons. Most include the subject only to note that cannabis can- not be labeled organic unless cer ed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As with EPA, given cannabis’ status as an il- legal narco c, USDA is barred from applying the organic seal to any end-use marijuana consumer product. However, in theory, independent cer ers could use their own seals to iden fy com- pliance with their standards. Despite this absence of the USDA cer ed organic seal and mandated organic produc on prac ces, regula ons in Maine require dispensaries to indicate whether the cannabis sold meets organic standards. Under USDA organic regula ons, growers are required to create and follow an organic system plan (OSP) for their produc on process. The OSP must in- clude: a detailed descrip on of the prac ces and procedures that will be undertaken by the cer er producer, a list of substances to be used as a produc on input, a descrip on of how prac ces will be monitored, and recordkeeping requirements to ensure the plan is followed. Growers following organic standards must imple- ment cultural, mechanical, physical, or biological controls before considering the use of an allowed pes cide. Moreover, condi ons governing the use of any such pes cide must be included within the grower’s OSP. |
Survey Findings Summary Beyond Pes cides’ survey evaluates the pes cide use policies on cannabis produc on in 23 states and DC that have passed medical cannabis laws as of January 2015, including the four states and DC that have voted through ballot ini a ves to allow recrea onal use of marijuana. The survey ndings iden fy state ac ons regarding general pes cide restric ons, tes ng for pes cide contaminants, labeling of pes cide products applied to cannabis, and whether organic prac ces are addressed by regula ons.40 (See chart on page 22 for a summary.) Allowed and Prohibited • Pesticides by State: System Focus: Five states and DC are currently regula ng medical cannabis by focusing on requiring growing prac- ces that prevent the use of pes cides. Catastrophic Loss: Connec cut allows pes cide use only when authorized by a regulator to address catastrophic loss. Organic Knowledge: Two states and DC require a dispensary applicant’s knowl- edge of organic prac ces. Organic Prac ces: Two states require growers to follow organic prac ces. • No Pes cides: Three states have ad- Pesticide Testing: • Pes cide Use Lists: Washington state • maintains a list of allowed pes cide products, and three states are inves- ga ng the use of similar lists. • Required: Twelve states require regu- lators to test random samples of can- nabis batches for pes cide residue. A er a Complaint: Two states require tes ng only a er a complaint about contaminants has been received. Uncertain: In one state and DC, the Analysis/Recommendations The survey results raise serious ques ons about pes cide expo- sure, inadequate regulatory oversight, and incen ves or require- ments to adopt sustainable prac ces in the cul va on of cannabis. While most state regula ons currently o er some level of protec- on for pa ents and consumers, it is important that this grow- ing $1.5 billion industry,42 authorized by numerous state laws, has clearer standards that restrict pes cide use and establish required sustainable cul va on systems based on the organic model. The restric ons should speci cally prohibit pes cides registered by EPA, but allow those exempt 25(b) pes cides. |
Allowed and Prohibited Pes cides: In the absence of adequate tes ng at the federal level on the poten al impacts of pes cide use on cannabis to consumers, workers, and the environment, states should provide clear rules to producers regarding sustain- able produc on prac ces that protect public health and the en- vironment. Beyond Pes cides recommends that states follow an approach similar to New Hampshire, which restricts growers to pes cides that are (i) allowed for use in organic produc on and (ii) exempt from federal registra on (25(b)). It is cri cal that these re- stric ons also require a system plan that governs the poten al use of a pes cide a er alterna ve
ly allowed under state law, all states should require the labeling of all pes cides that have been applied to a cannabis plant throughout its en re produc on and processing.
Environmental Protec on: Exemp on from tolerance should not alone allow the use of a registered pes cide. Use pa erns (in ad- di on to those federally registered) could cause environmental damage that has not been evaluated. These include impacts on waterways and wildlife (including endangered species).
Organic Prac ces: States should pass laws or implement rules that require a systems approach to cannabis produc on. State re- quirements that growers follow na onal organic standards (with only exempt pes cides permi ed in organic) represent a posi ve trajectory for the industry.
EPA Guidance: Current EPA guidance is misleading and suggests al- lowances of pes cide use that can be damaging to public health and the environment due to a lack of federal assessment of pes cide use and exposure pa erns. EPA should simply no fy the states that pes – cides registered by the agency that are applied to elds or greenhous- es before plan ng, or on plants during cul va on or post-harvest are
means have been exhausted.
Pes cide Tes ng: State regula- ons should be wri en to in- clude the batch tes ng of pes- cide contaminants in cannabis sold. Tes ng laboratories should be independently cer ed, and the laboratory name should be disclosed on the product label. Relying on a complaint to inves- gate a supplier is not an e ec- ve means of enforcing safety standards, and unfairly places the burden on consumers and pa ents, who are likely to sub- mit a complaint only a er suf- fering injury or harm.
Conclusion
Pes cide use in the legal cul va- on of cannabis in 23 states raises serious concerns about protec on of public health and the environ- ment. Those states that have ad- opted a rma ve policies govern- ing cannabis cul va on vary in their clarity in restric ng pes cide use. EPA’s guidance has muddied the waters on this by sugges ng the allowance of pre-plan ng pes- cides and those with exemp on from tolerances, or used under generalized labels that allow use on unspeci ed crops. Most im- portantly, six states of the total that have legalized cannabis pro- duc on are silent on the issue of pes cide use, which raises serious ques ons about their e orts to
A quarterly publication of Beyond Pesticides
Vol. 34, No. 4 Winter 2014-15
enforce against the use of pes cides. The public and environment require uniform protec ons that include the following three basic elements:
3. Requirements for an organic system plan that focuses on sus- tainable prac ces and only 25(b) products as a last resort. Ma hew Porter contributed to this piece. |
Endnotes
tal assessments as a rou ne. pes cide; (ii) Prior to plan ng marijuana outdoors (such as a eld), use 27. Colorado Department of Agriculture Plant Industry Division. 2014. Proposed Rule: Criteria for Determining the Legal Use of Pes cides in Marijuana Cul va on. 8 CCR 1203-25. 28. The consumable product of the cannabis plant is the ower, which is produced a er the vegeta ve stage. Barring pes cide applica ons a er the vegeta ve stage prevents pes cide applica ons from being made directly to the end-use product. 29. Washington State University Pes cide Informa on Center Online. 2014. WA I502 list. h p://cru66.cahe.wsu.edu/labels/Labels.php?SrchType=. 30. The product in ques on is Messina Wildlife’s Mole and Vole Stopper. h p://cru66.cahe.wsu.edu/~picol/pdf/WA/54761.pdf. 31. h p://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2008- tle40-vol23/xml/CFR- 2008- tle40-vol23-sec180-905.xml. 32. Beyond Pes cides. 2006. ChemicalWATCH Factsheet – Piperonyl Butox- ide. h p://www.beyondpes cides.org/pes cides/factsheets/Pipero- nyl%20Butoxide.pdf. 33. Environmental Protec on Agency. 2014. Pes cides: Environmental E ects. Ecological Risk Assessments. h p://www.epa.gov/pes cides/ ecosystem/ecorisk.htm. 34. AZ, CO (medical), CT, IL, ME, MA, MN, NV, NH, NJ, OR, and WA. 35. AZ, CO (medical), NV, and WA. using pes cides. Bangor Daily News. h p://bangordailynews. com/2013/03/25/news/state/maine-marijuana-cul va on-center-used- pes cides-state-o cial-says/. 37. CT, MA, ME, NH, and NM. their use in cannabis produc on (a non-labeled used) should be consid- ered an illegal applica on, except that EPA allows some pes cides to be used on “unspeci ed crops.” 39. CT, ME, MA, NV, NH, NJ, and WA. or regula ons, which are subject to change. This analysis does not address other cannabis related issues such as user access, caretakers, ability to grow your own, licensing fees, or taxes. 41. Statement must read: “The marijuana product contained within this package has not been tested for contaminants.” 42. Karnes, Ma hew. 2014. State of the Emerging Marijuana Industry Current Trends and Projec ons. GreenWave Advisors. h ps://www.gre- enwaveadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/GreenWave_Report_ES.pdf. Vol. 34, No. 4 Winter 2014-15 Pesticides and You |
Pesticides and You Vol. 34, No. 4 Winter 2014-15 A quarterly publication of Beyond Pesticides
Pesticide Laws in States with Legalized Cannabis (Marijuana) Production
State
Pes cide Restric ons
Pes cide/Contaminant Tes ng
Pes cide Labeling
Organic Discussed
State Act or Regula on
Alaska –Medical
No
To be determined. No
No
To be determined.
Tes ng for pes cide residues required.
No
To be determined.
No
To be determined. No
Alaska Statutes, Chapter 37: Medical Uses of Marijuana Program.
–Recrea onal Arizona
“An Act to Tax and Regulate the Pro- duc on, Sale, and Use of Marijuana.”
California
No
No
No
SB 420, Lindsey, Tonya D. 2012. Med- ical Marijuana Cul va on and Policy Gaps. California Research Bureau.
Colorado –Medical
No
Individual locali es may further regulate.
Tes ng for pes cide residues required.
Yes –list of all chemical addi ves used in produc on.
No No
Colorado Department of Revenue. 1 CCR212-1.
–Recrea onal
No
Not required, but, if not performed, must state on label, “The marijuana contained within this package has not been tested for contaminants.”
Yes –list of all non-organic pes – cides used in produc on.
Colorado Department of Revenue. 1 CCR212-2.
Connec cut
Pes cide use not allowed unless autho- rized by regulator to address infesta on that would result in catastrophic loss.
Tes ng for pes cide residues required; those that exceed acceptable levels (higher than most stringent residue standard on any food as set by EPA) must be disposed.
Must list whether the product passed/failed laboratory tests.
Not allowed to be labeled organic unless cer ed to be consistent with na onal organic standards.
State of Connec cut. Department of Consumer Protec on Regula ons. Sec. 21a-408.
Delaware
Use of pes cides prohibited.
Dispensaries required to develop tes ng protocol, which may or may not include pes cide contaminants.
Dispensaries required to develop labeling that includes details indica ng the medical marijuana is free of contaminants.
No
4470 State of Delaware Medical Marijuana Code.
District of Columbia –Medical
Cul va on centers forbidden from using synthe c pes cides.
Dispensaries required to describe plan
for tes ng or verifying medical marijuana received from a cul va on center and ensuring that all medical marijuana is free of contaminants.
Yes –list of all chemical addi ves used in produc on.
Cul va on center applicants must demonstrate knowledge of organic growing methods.
District of Columbia Title 22-C.
–Recrea onal Hawaii
To be determined. No
To be determined. No
To be determined. No
To be determined. No
DC Ini a ve 71
Illinois
Department created a list of approved pes cide ac ve ingredients; pes cides may not be applied a er the vegeta ve stage of a cannabis plant.
Tes ng for pes cide residues required –product deemed to pass if lower than most stringent acceptable standard for the pes cide residue on any food item, as set by EPA; publish list of labs that can test medical cannabis.
Must list whether the product passed/failed laboratory tests, producer must have plan for ensuring cannabis is free of contaminants.
No
Illinois Department of Agriculture. 8 Ill. Adm. Code 1000.
Maine
Only pes cides exempt from a federal registra on allowed.
Tes ng for pes cide residues required.
No
Require producer knowledge of organic prac ces; not allowed to be labeled organic unless cer ed to be consistent with na onal organic standards; must provide pa ents informa- on whether products meet organic cer ca on standards.
Rules Governing the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program. 10- 144CMR Chapter 122.
Yes –list of all chemical addi ves used in produc on.
Title 9. Health Services. Chapter 17. Department of Health Services Medi- cal Marijuana Program.
Hawaii Administra ve Rules. Chapter 23-202
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