Like all agricultural commodities, cannabis is susceptible to contamination. Due to a combination of special properties in the plant, producing products for human consumption requires special care. Additionally, due to the high value of cannabis, it is not uncommon for unscrupulous producers to improperly use pesticides or to use additives, or adulterants to add weight, fragrance, or even dilute their products.

 

Cannabis & hemp are known as hyper-accumulators because of their ability to absorb chemicals & heavy metals from the soil & accumulate them in the flowers, stems & leaves of the plant.

The cannabis plant grows best in warm, humid environments, the same conditions that many microbiological species & pests such as spider mites, aphids, & thrips thrive in. Agricultural products are also exposed to additional pests such as insects, rodents, & birds.  Attempting to treat pests may introduce another problem for consumers if farmers attempting to prevent the degradation of highly valuable crops improperly use pesticides.

  • HEAVY METALS
  • PESTICIDES
  • BACTERIA, VIRUSES & PARASITES
  • MOLD, MILDEW, FUNGUS & YEASTS
  • FOREIGN MATTER

All contaminants become even more concentrated during the extraction process when using various solvents to extract cannabinoids & terpenes. While these processes can be done safely, if done incorrectly, residuals of these solvents can remain in cannabis products.

Additives & adulterants may be used by producers to add weight, dilute, or add fragrance to their products. The 2019 vaping crisis exposed additives & adulterants, including vitamin E acetate, squalene, coconut oil & food flavorings. Limonene, a naturally occurring terpene in Cannabis, is often removed during extraction processes.

Manufacturers often add food-grade Limonene to finished products to enhance the “cannabis fragrance, which has not been evaluated for inhalation toxicity.

  • RESIDUAL SOLVENTS
  • ADDITIVES & ADULTERANTS
  • FOREIGN MATTER


Due to the high moisture content in cannabis, improper storage can also promote mold, mildew, and fungal growth. (Light, heat, and oxygen can also affect & degrade cannabinoids & terpenes).

Metals from old oil vaporizers (vapes) devices may leach into the oil as they age.

  • HEAVY METALS
  • BACTERIA, VIRUSES & PARASITES
  • MOLD, MILDEW, FUNGUS & YEASTS

 

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