John J. Pinto, CFA’s Post

While the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) is still evaluating the investigative report prepared by Paige St. John and Alex Halperin, and released by the Los Angeles Times, we are deeply concerned by any data that suggests consumer safety is at risk. "California has some of the most stringent cannabis standards in the nation, designed to protect consumer safety and public health. However, the state’s continued failure to enforce against those who fail to comply — both inside and outside of the regulated market — has put the credibility of the entire adult-use market in peril, and now threatens the very consumers we aim to serve. "Due to overly burdensome regulations, high taxes, and a lack of oversight, the state has inadvertently created an environment where bad actors feel compelled to cut corners to compete and survive. This undermines the integrity of the market and compromises consumer safety. "It is the explicit role of a regulator to establish and enforce standards that protect consumer safety. Compliant industries rely on these standards to guide their practices. Given the known safety risks associated with certain pesticides, we would expect the state to implement the strongest protections with which we can effectively comply. "It is equally important to recognize that the findings from this report, based on a limited sample from a few brands, do not represent the industry as a whole. Many reputable operators work tirelessly to ensure the safety of their products, often far exceeding California’s regulatory standards while pioneering innovation across the industry. The actions of a few should not tarnish the efforts of those who are committed to compliance and consumer safety. "CCIA has been calling on policymakers for years to take action to address the thriving illicit market and non-compliant licensees that threaten market integrity and put consumers in harm’s way. Effective policymaking must be accompanied by rigorous compliance and enforcement. We remain committed to collaborating with the governor, the legislature, and all stakeholders to improve enforcement mechanisms, uphold high standards, and ensure that consumers can trust the safety and quality of the legal cannabis products they purchase. #California #Cannabis #ConsumerSafety

An investigation by Los Angeles Times and WeedWeek has uncovered alarming levels of pesticides in California's "safe" cannabis products. Of 42 legal products tested, 25 exceeded state or federal limits, with contaminants linked to cancer, liver, and neurological harm. Popular vape brands like Stiiizy, Flavorade, and Backpack Boyz were among the worst offenders. Despite this, California cannabis regulators have failed to adequately address the widespread contamination, potentially leaving 250,000 tainted products on shelves. The health risks, particularly for medical users, are significant. There is a pressing need for stricter enforcement and updated regulations to ensure consumer safety in this rapidly growing industry. https://lnkd.in/eq6DkeJk #CannabisSafety #PublicHealth #Regulation #CannabisIndustry #ConsumerProtection

Is cannabis safe? We spent decades convincing the masses of the safety of cannabis which ultimately culminated into the legalization movement. So why now that cannabis is legal is there this sudden fear of contaminated weed? Is weed coming from commercial facilities really any worse than what came from basements and clandestine grows prior to legalization? On one hand the larger you scale up the harder it is to keep things nice and clean, so there could be something to that. And one could also say that with a pinch of corporate greed there is more incentive to push out moldy weed. However black market growers had the same incentive for profits. The big difference is now we are lab testing. Black market weed was never lab tested. So would it be fair to say that all the weed we smoked prior to legalization was most likely just as contaminated if not worse than what we see today? Is this just a matter of ignorance is bliss, but either way we are fine? Or are we now becoming aware of new dangers associated with smoking flower? Or is this all just politics? Ok so contaminated weed is bad, let's test it! What's that look like? For hemp we do voluntary samples that we will send in to do full panel screenings. But what is the suggested sample rate? When the USDA samples for potency they take about 3-4 samples from 2,000 plants in a 5,000sqft greenhouse. Is that data even useful? Mold and bacteria aren't necessarily homogeneous throughout your crop, unless it's too late at which point it would be noticeable. That's also a point worth mentioning when we are talking failed flower its not as obvious as in the picture. Many times the flower will fail without any visual cues. So. I have 2,500lbs of flower from over 2,000 different plants. How much is required to be tested? Say I send in 10 samples each sample is around 2 grams. So I sent in 20grams representative of 2,500lbs. So already this data would be an insignificant representation of the lot, and that's assuming the lot is somewhat homogeneous. but here's the catch.... So say those 10 samples are clean does that mean all 2,500lbs are clean...absolutely not! Say all 4 samples come back contaminated, does that mean that all 2,500lbs are contaminated...absolutely not! So where is the logic in all of this. Radiation sounds like a terrible idea, even if it's deemed safe, which let's be honest we won't really know until enough people have been smoking the stuff for awhile, then we will either see acceptance or a massive recall of which I would not like to be the guinea pig of. Because remember weed is safe right? Mold and bacteria have been around just as long as weed has, yet we all agree weed is safe...right? 🤔🤷♂️ So I guess my main questions are; 1. Is moldy dangerous weed a new issue that has arose from commerical cultivation? 2. Is weed not as safe as we once thought? 3. Does passed or failed lab results really represent the flower you bought?

Things are starting to heat up in California over the excessive use of chemicals in cannabis, particularly the overuse of Trifloxystrobin, commonly used to treat Powdery Mildew. At Scanit Technologies, Inc., we offer the solution for early detection of threats, allowing farmers to address the issue before it is visible on the plants themselves. Our real-time monitoring ensures that chemicals are effectively eliminating threats, enabling growers to apply only the necessary amount. This reduces overall chemical usage and minimizes the need for repeated applications. Early detection not only protects crops but also safeguards consumers.

LA Times article today on high amounts of pesticides and other contaminants being detected in legal cannabis, particularly vapes and pre rolls (*note these products are usually made with trim which is the leafier and looser parts of the plant and is more exposed and harder to flush). I've always touted the most immediate benefit of legalization being clean product (especially since cannabis was let in on the basis of it being a "medicine") but the findings here undermine that considerably. Accordingly, the DCC has indicated more market testing and (brace yourselves) more recalls and embargos on the way. Will these DCC driven tests solve the issue? Are more stringent regulations required for labs? Or will market pressure continue to force growers to find some profit margin in higher yields? Is it even possible to grow on a commercial scale without some of these "contaminants"? And I've heard it said that CA cannabis testing is stricter than for foods like tomatoes - can anyone confirm this? And is that even a good metric considering these are inhalable versus edible products? https://lnkd.in/g_tVPm4u.

He pulls his crops, by force. Croptober began in 1937 early one morning on October 1. A look back into history makes today's problems not so bad. The Marihuana Tax Act was passed that day, marking the odd history of legal Cannabis in America. It heavily taxed cannabis cultivation, requiring producers to register with the federal government and pay substantial fees. Farmers knew that hearings were being held, and the law passed; mass cultivations were conducted on that day and in the following weeks, including those conducted in raids. Although the law didn't outright ban cannabis, it made it nearly impossible for farmers to continue growing the plant without facing significant legal and financial challenges. Many hemp farmers, fearful of prosecution, began pulling their crops to avoid these penalties throughout that month. While enforcement efforts were quickly underway, there was no fair vote; Americans used Cannabis products such as tinctures, and these came from doctors and pharmacies. They did not think they were using were not Marihuana. Cannabis was officially removed from the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1942, following its inclusion in 1850. It was recognized for its medicinal properties, used to treat pain, inflammation, and nausea. This decision created a timeline for when it moved back on again, showing the shifts in the perception of cannabis based on either misinformation or an informed public. Cannabis has been a widely accepted therapeutic agent for 10,000 years in recorded history, which is ironic for a substance with legal and social stigma. #CannabisHistory

As we move step by step towards more sensitive regulations of cannabis and other psychoactive substances in our society, we need to be keenly aware that there is a bumpy road ahead of us. https://lnkd.in/e7KCaq3M #legalization #cannabis #thc #cannabislife #cannabisculture #prohibition #cannabislegalization

https://lnkd.in/eQjwNdTw Consumer Safety in the Unregulated Cannabis Market: A Cause for Concern The cannabis industry is booming, but with limited regulations in some regions, consumer safety faces a challenge. While testing for contaminants at the source is crucial, what happens after the product leaves the supplier? The Gap in Regulations Unregulated markets create uncertainty. Products can be tampered with, improperly stored, or packaged in unsafe materials after leaving the supplier, posing a significant health risk to consumers. Taking Charge of Safety In the absence of regulations, the onus falls more on the consumer to prioritize safety. Here are some tips: Source from reputable dispensaries: Look for shops with a strong reputation for sourcing products responsibly. Ask questions: Inquire about the origin of products and any testing procedures, even if not mandated. Inspect packaging: Check for signs of tampering or damage. Research brands: Choose brands known for prioritizing safety and transparency. Advocacy for Change The lack of regulations demands action. Here's how you can get involved: Support advocacy groups: Organizations pushing for cannabis regulations can make a real difference. Spread awareness: Educate others about the potential risks of unregulated products. Demand transparency: By voicing concerns, you can pressure the industry to prioritize safety measures. Bridging the Gap Until Regulations Arrive Here are some potential solutions to consider: Independent testing facilities: Encourage the development of labs where consumers can pay to have products tested. Tamper-evident packaging: Promote packaging with clear signs of tampering to ensure product integrity. By working together, we can raise awareness, advocate for consumer safety, and find solutions until a more regulated market emerges. #CannabisSafety #ConsumerProtection #UnregulatedMarket #CannabisTesting #PublicHealth #CannabisAdvocacy #SupportSafeCannabis #InformedConsumers #CannabisIndustry

Outside of state-regulated weed markets, gummies and drinks containing hemp-derived THC is a booming business. It's federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. It's widely known as the "Farm Bill Loophole" where hemp processors can create THC counts similar to traditional cannabis-derived THC and can ship those products across state lines. In Michigan, it's regulated. But that doesn't mean consumers aren't shipping them across state lines. The state's industry wants a solution as Congress continues to argue over the loophole in the next Farm Bill. https://lnkd.in/ggpMd_9r