With an increasing number of states legalizing cannabis, more individuals are showing favor for weed. People use it medicinally or recreationally, however people are starting to appreciate this unique plant.
While states with legal cannabis usually have dispensaries, it’s not guaranteed that the products from these stores are any safer than those on the black market.
Some cannabis strains from dispensaries have been found to include pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals. This lack of regulation not only raises concerns among consumers, but defeats the purpose of legalization in the first place.
The use of pesticides on weeds is a heavily contested topic. Some individuals worry that they might be poisonous if ingested by humans; in this article, we will explore whether there is any scientific proof to back up these assertions.
Pesticides in your weed can be eliminated with these easy steps.
What Is a Pesticide?
Pesticide is a word, not a weapon.
Pesticides are substances used to kill animals or organisms that threaten crops. This includes herbicides for killing weeds, insecticides for controlling insects, fungicides to stop mold and mildew growth, disinfectants to prevent the spread of bacteria, and rat poison.
“Pesticides are simply created when the [cannabis] plants produce terpenes. They’re used as a natural defence mechanism for the plant, so you need to be mindful of what types of products you’re using them in,” says Lo Freisen, CEO and Chief Extractor at Washington’s Heylo Cannabis. Our company extracts cannabis while maintaining an eco-friendly perspective – meaning that all our materials are sustainably grown without any pesticides whatsoever.”
Are There Really Pesticides in Weed?
Many plants, not just cannabis, have the ability to attract animals. The psychoactive component of the plant, THC likely evolved as a predator deterrent. For example, any herbivore that unknowingly ingests some marijuana is likely to avoid it in future after feeling weird and disoriented from being haut!
Even though cannabis tends to repel insects, some bugs are still attracted to it. Although there are a few ways to keep your grow free of pests without using pesticides, many cultivators choose the chemicals anyway. Even in places where eating products that have been treated with insecticides is banned, some growers will use them on their plants anyway.
While some conspiracy theories surrounding pesticides in weed may be easily spread by anti-cannabis protesters, there have been factual reports of pesticide-laced marijuana.
A report in Canada found that many examples of cannabis contained pesticides which are banned. Health Canada even agreed with these claims, disclosing that the samples held bifenazate and myclobutanil. Even though the latter is allowed generally, it is never allowed on products like cannabis which will be set on fire – i.e., combustible products – as it becomes more poisonous than cyanide gas when heated.
After this news broke, many cannabis recalls were issued in Canadian provinces. However, these products shouldn’t be on the market at all – recalls aren’t enough. inexperienced growers are under pressure to produce more and more Cannabis, but regulators aren’t conducting proper tests.
While Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board is testing for mold, fungi, and bugs, it doesn’t currently test for residual pesticides like many other states do.
What Pesticides Are Commonly Used on Cannabis?
Although consuming pesticides in any capacity is ideal, some are not as harmful to our health and can be consumed in small quantities.
Unfortunately, the cannabis industry uses a number of pesticides that are either illegal or not cleared for use on marijuana plants. These include:
- Myclobutanil
- Abamectin
- Etoxazole
- Imidacloprid
- Spiromesifen
- Azadirachtin
Even though azadirachtin is derived from neem oil and marketed as safe, it has been linked to people getting sick after consuming cannabis.
The Dangers of Pesticides
People typically use cannabis by smoking it or consuming it orally; however, if there are pesticides in the weed, traditional methods allow direct access to dangerous chemicals. Pesticides can enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body when you smoke contaminated weed.
Some people believe that pesticides are causing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CHS is an unpleasant experience that occurs after you use cannabis. The symptoms include nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. There may even be a link between CHS and azadirachtin, which is a substance found in neem oil.
Although there is not currently enough research to draw a connection between CHS and pesticides, it is a commonly accepted theory. A study published in the Journal of Toxicology titled Determination of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis Smoke found that users may be exposed to extremely high levels of pesticide residue, as much as 69.5%.
Pesticides are dangerous to consume, and several pesticides are already banned in food agriculture. This should be enough to tell you that it’s vital to avoid pesticide-riddled weed whenever possible. But how is this possible?
In order to avoid pesticides in weed, both growers and buyers need to be aware of a few key tips, which we cover below.
Natural Alternatives to Pesticides
Luckily, those who grow weeds have more than just chemical pesticides to turn to. There are safer, all-natural alternatives as well as weed-growing methods that don’t involve pesticides at all.
Growing Indoors
Pests are easier to manage when they’re in a controlled environment, like a greenhouse. You can more closely monitor the situation and take action immediately if needed. If you want an eco-friendly grow operation, then be aware of how much energy it consumes. However, greenhouses provide the best option for controlling pests overall.
However, if pests do infest your greenhouse, then the entire crop is more likely to be destroyed.
Diatomaceous Earth
Did you know that adding diatomaceous earth to the top of your soil is an excellent way to get rid of pests? It’s made from fossilized materials and stone, so it’s completely natural. Just add an inch or two to the top of your soil, and watch all the bugs disappear!
Diatomaceous earth is an excellent way to kill insects, though it should be noted that the sharp particles can lose some of their effet when wet. This powder dehydrates insect eggs and punctures their bodies, which makes it more difficult for them to reproduce.
Neem Oil
Neem oil, an insecticide made from neem plant seeds and easily sprayed onto crops, is effective against numerous insects, fungi, and mold. Growers recommend it for use against aphids, grasshoppers ,caterpillars, spider mites ,and more!
Garlic
Did you know that garlic and pepper can act as a natural pesticide? This homemade remedy is easy and budget-friendly. The pungent smell of garlic will keep bugs away, while the capsaicin in peppers makes plants taste unpleasant to insects. Note: The more capsaicin present, the more effective it is. Therefore, opt for a hot pepper over a mild one.
All you need to do is dice the peppers and garlic (about 250g of each) and add to a blender with one liter of water. Spray the mixture onto one leaf, then wait for 24 hours. If the mixture is too strong, it may damage the plant, which ruins the point entirely. Once you know it is safe, you can cover your crop.
Spray your plants at night to reduce the amount of pests.
Friendly Insects
Many people believe that all insects are bad for crops, however, this is untrue. In fact, there are many bugs that can be helpful to your garden. By having these ‘good’ insects around, you can get rid of the harmful ones and protect your crop at the same time. Some beneficial creepy-crawlies include ladybugs, pirate bugs and green lacewings. It’s like having your own bouncer!
Make Sure Your Weed Is Always Pesticide-Free
Cannabis growers who want to buy pesticide-free weed face difficulties. The only way to know if cannabis doesn’t contain pesticides is through lab testing, but many companies don’t offer this service. It’s something we can hope will change in the future.
The best thing you can do as a consumer is to be demanding when it comes to transparency. If you don’t ask questions, you won’t get answers! Producers of cannabis will be more transparent if customers are constantly asking for pesticide-free weed . We can create a better future in the cannabis industry simply by using our voices.
For the time being, you can adhere to growers that do give lab reports. Make sure to only purchase from growers you believe in. If you live in a state where growing your own cannabis is legal and safety is a top priority for you, consider doing so. By growing your own weed, you can be sure that it is free of pesticides. Remember to check local laws and regulations before starting any type of grow operation.
Which Pesticides Are Safe for Cannabis?
Many cannabis producers use pesticides in their growing methods, but there are still plenty of ways to manage pests without harming consumers.
Insects that are beneficial to cannabis plants include ladybugs, pirate bugs, and green lacewings. These insects do not cause harm to the plant, but instead eat the pests that would attack it.
Some growers turn to other plants for all-natural pesticides in order prevent any questioning of their organic cannabis. For example, common oils used are rosemary oil and chrysanthemum oil—the later being the active ingredient in pyrethrin, which is a widely known pesticide.
Can Cannabis Really Be Pesticide-Free?
How are producers of “clean cannabis” keeping your beautiful buds free of insects, mold, and mildew if they’re using no substances to prevent these from attacking your weed?
The answers are simple:
- By growing indoors, farmers can oversee everything happening in the grow room and avoid pests, though one wrong move could lead to losing the entire crop.
- While not always legally required, some farmers choose to disclose their use of approved pesticides. “It’s important to remember that organic products or those with Clean Green certification may still involve the use of approved pesticides,” Friesen explains.
- Pesticides are sprayed on crops during the vegetative state before flowers appear. The pesticides (hopefully) will be gone by the time the plant produces fruit or vegetables that end up on our shelves.
In other words, “pesticide-free” doesn’t tell the whole story, and consumers should do more research on the brands and products that make this claim.
Final Thoughts
Some studies have found that there are pesticides in weed, which is worrying. Even more alarming is the use of banned substances. Although legalization is a step forward for cannabis enthusiasts, consumers must demand that users accept it.
Thankfully, some growers use organic practices. The only way to tell whether their claims of organic growing are true is to see lab reports, so consumers must demand transparency moving forward.
Natural alternatives are always good to know about, and with any luck, more pesticide-free cannabis will be hitting the shelves in the future.