Health Alert Due To Pesticide Marijuana

Oregon officials have issued a health alert due to marijuana contaminated with significant pesticide levels as two strains were sold in a dispensary in McMinnville. Based on the latest reports, around 130 customers purchased the dried cannabis between October 15 and October 17.

After lab testing, scientists discovered that the products had been contaminated with an insecticide commonly used in the cannabis industry. That is why some experts think that medical and legal marijuana might not be the best idea.

The use of pesticides is a widely-spread issue that took its toll on marijuana production over the past few years. Also, these findings force Oregon officials to change their approach on cannabis and pesticides.

Pesticides are used by producers to deal with mites and mold, the most often encountered issues in marijuana production. However, the policies have become stricter since last year in order to prevent consumers from suffering any consequences.

This is not the first time medical cannabis was tainted with chemicals, because last year, contaminated cannabis reached the pharmacies shelves due to poor lab practices. This type of pesticide is known as spinosad, and it becomes active at 0.2 parts/ million.

According to Portland Green Leaf Lab, 42 parts/ million were found in the samples of Dr. Jack and also 22 parts/ million on Marion Berry. These two strains were sold by a medical marijuana pharmacy, called New Leaf, situated in McMinnville on Northeast Riverside Drive.

Based on the new regulations, all testing labs must immediately inform health authorities when they come across products which are not in accordance with the state pesticide limit. The producer’s identity has not been revealed because the Oregon marijuana law has a confidentiality policy as well.

The only thing made public is that the producer is a medical marijuana grower. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission will be in charge from now on with observing anything that happens in the testing labs.

According to chairman Rob Patridge, the commission will double check all marijuana testing labs to make sure that the public is protected against any other pesticide contamination. Also, the investigation will continue, and the regulations will become stricter from now to address to this issue and prevent it from escalating any further.

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