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A new article from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR) warns of the dangers of cannabis because it may be contaminated with organophosphate pesticides (e.g. chlorpyrifos, glyphosate).

The CDPR walks through what could happen if a pregnant woman uses chlorpyrifos-contaminated cannabis. Pesticide toxicity is important concern, but this is a bit ironic coming from the CDPR, which has consistently failed to provide sensible limits for pesticides on cannabis.

For years there has been a federal halt on the approval of neonicotinoids for new uses because of their devastating environmental impact on pollinators like bees (see here). Yet the CDPR allows two such neonicotinoids – acetamiprid and imidacloprid – to be used on cannabis. (The Xerces Society has detailed major issues with imidacloprid regulations in California.) Project CBD has repeatedly submitted comments to California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control in regard to these facts, but to no avail.

Read study: Adverse outcome pathway of developmental neurotoxicity resulting from prenatal exposures to cannabis contaminated with organophosphate pesticide residues


Adrian Devitt-Lee is a research scientist and longtime Project CBD contributor. © Copyright, Project CBD. May not be reprinted without permission.


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