Determination of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis Smoke

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to quantify to what extent cannabis consumers may be exposed to pesticide and other chemical residues through inhaled mainstream cannabis smoke. Three different smoking devices were evaluated in order to provide a generalized data set representative of pesticide exposures possible for medical cannabis users. Three different pesticides, bifenthrin, diazinon, and permethrin, along with the plant growth regulator paclobutrazol, which are readily available to cultivators in commercial products, were investigated in the experiment. Smoke generated from the smoking devices was condensed in tandem chilled gas traps and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Recoveries of residues were as high as 69.5% depending on the device used and the component investigated, suggesting that the potential of pesticide and chemical residue exposures to cannabis users is substantial and may pose a significant toxicological threat in the absence of adequate regulatory frameworks.

Understanding dabs: contamination concerns of cannabis concentrates and cannabinoid transfer during the act of dabbing

“…This is concerning as this pesticide is not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on food crops. Our prior studies have shown that up to 70% of this chemical may be transferred into the smoke stream when present on cannabis (Sullivan et al, 2013). Even when pesticides that are approved for food crops are used there are multiple additional considerations that need to be made for cannabis.…”

“…Previously described methods for cannabinoid profiling utilizing HPLC-UV were employed (Elzinga et al, 2015). A previously described method utilizing GC-MS in SIM mode was used for pesticide and plant growth regulator residue detection (Sullivan et al, 2013). The following compounds were analyzed for: Bifenthrin, Carbaryl, Diazinon, Fluvalinate, Malathion, Myclobutanil, Paclobutrazol and Permethrin.…”

“…Both THCA and THC were determined. A mechanical lung system, using a water pipe (McFinn, Scientific Inhalations, no filters employed) equipped with a titanium dab nail (Infinity Nail by Highly Educated) instead of a glass bowl was used to simulate the inhalation of cannabis concentrates by dabbing and capture the resulting vapor streams for analysis of its contents (Sullivan et al, 2013). Dabbing was performed by heating the titanium nail with a butane torch (Bonjour Professional Crème Brulee Torch, Bed Bath and Beyond) until it was red glowing hot and then letting it cool for 10 seconds (approximately 300°C) after which 40 mg of concentrate was placed on the nail using a stainless steel spatula.…”

Medical Marijuana for Digestive Disorders: High Time to Prescribe?

“…Vaporizers are oft en used to heat marijuana to a temperature suffi cient to evaporate cannabinoids but not burn plant material, resulting in limited inhalation of tar and irritants ( 21 ) . Other new inhalation methods, such as water pipes with carbon fi ltration systems, appear to reduce exposure to pesticides present in cultivated marijuana ( 22 ) .…”

A Plant is NOT Medicine: Plant vs. Constituent Element

“…This is of great concern because this pesticide is not registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use on food crops. Sullivan et al has previously reported that up to 70% of paclobutrazol is transferred into the smoke stream [12]. Two other pesticides found in the US samples were bifenthrin (a pyrathroid insecticide) and myclobutanil (a systemic fungicide).…”