Part of the sales pitch for buying legal weed is the promise of consumer safety. California even requires lab testing before a product can be offered for sale. Yet almost two dozen weed products tested for reporters at The Times and Weed Week showed high levels of pesticides, chemicals that even at small doses, over time can cause serious health effects. Most pesticides appeared at low levels where evidence of harm may not be known for years. The worst offenders were popular vape brands. How is that possible? California rarely checks products sold in stores. And even when it does, the state’s cannabis lab can’t screen for pesticides. That leaves public safety in the hands of private labs being paid for by the very companies whose products they test. In addition to this deep investigation, LA Times readers will find results of more than 150 weed tests, and a detailed look at the worst chemicals that turned up. Read the full investigation: https://lnkd.in/eAdBAj3J
Erica Siate
3w
Amazing work. Thank you from someone who was pesticide poisoned working in legal cannabis.
Brett Yader
3w
How is this anything but further testament to failed California regulators? If they wanted us to self-police maybe they shouldn’t have taxed us into oblivion?
Jesse Duncan
3w
Not a good look for Cali - totally shameful crap like this makes it to market!
So many competing markets!
Executive Director at United Cannabis Business Association (UCBA)
3wUnacceptable, The CA Department of Cannabis Control leadership must be held accountable. Their failure has resulted in a lack of consumer confidence in the legal market. Ultimately creating a threat to public health and damaging the hundreds of millions (billions even) invested by operators.