How Clean is Your Cannabis?

By Veronica Mackey

Imagine having a chronic illness and learning your local state-approved cannabis dispensary is a hotbed for substances that could kill you?

According to ABC News, doctors at U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento believe a cancer patient died from a rare fungal infection last February, due to  pot that was supposed to make the patient feel better.

Truth is, there are millions of pounds of untested weed on shelves right now that do not meet state safety standards.  However, this is about to change.  The state has given growers and sellers until July 1 to sell the untested pot they already have. 

According to the State Bureau of Cannabis, until now, labeling product as “not tested” was the best it could do to inform shoppers of the risks, and still have product available on day one.  The state now requires testing for 66 pesticides, harmful chemicals, bacteria and dangerous fungi.

The Bureau added that there are just 57 testing labs statewide available to evaluate safety and potency.  While some fungi might be harmless in food, it can be dangerous if smoked.

According to the cannabis industry association, just 5-percent of cannabis products for sale in the state are tested for safety. Eventually everything will be labeled with testing results. Currently if products are not tested, they will have a sticker on them that will say “untested.”

So, does this mean edibles are any safter than smoked cannabis?

Edibles can be just as contaminated as the flowers.  And. although they don’t pose a respiratory risk, edibles come with other issues.  They are harder to dose accurately, so it’s easier to overdose with edibles than with smoked cannabis. The delayed onset and prolonged effects of edibles make people assume they need to consume more because the effects are not immediate.

Regardless of how cannabis is consumed, consumers should be aware that daily cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, regardless of consumption method, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Cannabis itself is not highly toxic, but unknown, untested contaminants are.

Overall, cannabis can lead to severe behavioral impairment, such as cognitive and motor dysfunction, anxiety, and even transient psychotic symptoms.  Use with caution and pay attention to labeling.