Several marijuana farms in north-central Washington state are getting back on track after state regulators temporarily halted their operations due to unacceptable levels of DDT-related chemicals found in their products. While the affected growers didn’t use the banned pesticide themselves, their farms are located in an area where DDT was heavily applied in former fruit orchards and still persists in the soil.
The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board recently lifted the holds on these businesses, providing them with state financial support to address the pesticide issue and rebuild their brands. Additionally, the board plans to increase pesticide testing for cannabis in the region.
For Terry Taylor, who operates Okanogan Gold and Kibble Junction, the suspension of operations since April has been financially devastating. Taylor, along with other growers, has not been able to sell any products during this period, resulting in a significant loss of income. To make matters worse, the stigma associated with pesticide-contaminated cannabis has further impacted sales. Taylor’s businesses, which usually employ six full-time workers and 20 seasonal employees, are now down to just two employees.
The presence of pesticides in cannabis is a concern for regulators and consumers in states where marijuana is legal. Since cannabis is often smoked or concentrated, the levels of pesticides can become more concentrated in the final product. While states have set their own rules regarding pesticides in cannabis due to its illegal status under federal law, the regulations vary widely.
Washington state’s recent experience with DDE, a remnant chemical of DDT, highlights the limitations of regulations in protecting public health. The Liquor and Cannabis Board’s chemist discovered high levels of DDE in one growing area, prompting recalls from companies like Okanogan Gold, Bodie Mine, Kibble Junction, and Walden Cannabis. Of the 108 samples tested, 59 showed unapproved levels of DDE.
DDT, which was banned in 1972 due to its harmful effects on the environment and human health, was commonly used to control mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects. Studies have linked high levels of DDE in women’s blood to increased risks of premature birth and respiratory issues in babies. The chemical is also considered a potential carcinogen.
While the risk of DDE in cannabis is believed to be low, it may be of greater concern for medical marijuana users with pre-existing health issues. However, there is a lack of scientific data regarding the safe levels of DDE in cannabis and its potential health effects.
Many of the samples that exceeded the state limit had DDE levels around 0.2 parts per million, which is still lower than the amount permitted for DDT contamination in tobacco. Only one sample of cannabis oil or resin had a DDE level of 1.7 ppm.
Affected growers, including Terry Taylor, argue that regulators overreacted by halting operations instead of issuing recalls since there is limited scientific evidence on the danger posed by DDE in cannabis. However, Chandra Wax, director of the enforcement and education division of the Liquor and Cannabis Board, defends the decision as responsible and necessary to protect public safety.
The source of DDE contamination in the products remains unclear. While cannabis has been studied for its ability to remove contaminants from soil, Taylor speculates that dust settling on the plants or DDT present in wildfire smoke in the region may have contributed to the contamination.
To address the issue, Washington lawmakers have allocated $200,000 to help affected growers remediate their soil. An additional $5 million will be used to study how marijuana plants absorb toxins, the transfer of toxins to cannabis products, and the potential costs associated with growing plants in pots or extensively cleaning the soil in the area.
Local Representative Joel Kretz hopes that a solution can be found that ensures product safety without jeopardizing the livelihoods of farmers in the region. The focus is on protecting consumers and creating a safe product while supporting the cannabis industry.
