A Colorado cannabis company owner reveals alarming results from independent lab tests of marijuana products, finding high levels of contaminants like mold, bacteria, and pesticides. The findings highlight the need for stricter regulations and more comprehensive testing in the legal marijuana industry to protect consumer health.
Most states in the U.S. have legalized the sale of some form of cannabis for medical or recreational use, but the testing of marijuana for pesticides and mold varies greatly. Justin Singer, co-founder of Ripple Cannabis Company in Colorado , has become increasingly concerned about the lack of enforcement in the industry and the potential safety risks for consumers. Singer's concerns stem from a recent experience where he released a more affordable product, which led to a 500% increase in sales.
He expected this surge to trigger an inspection from the state Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), but none came. Determined to assess the situation, Singer purchased 15 different marijuana products from dispensary shelves and sent them to a lab for testing. The results were alarming. Four products exceeded state limits for yeasts and molds, with one sample containing over six times the permissible amount. Singer also looked for contaminants that Colorado doesn't currently require testing for, such as coliform bacteria, which can indicate unsanitary conditions during cultivation or storage. Four out of the 15 products contained high levels of coliform. Furthermore, four samples showed the presence of pesticide residues, highlighting the potential dangers of inhaling harmful chemicals through marijuana smoke.Singer's findings led him to draw a stark comparison between Colorado's current marijuana market and the unregulated black market of the past. He believes that the quality and safety of cannabis products in Colorado have fallen to a level comparable to street weed in New York City in 2008. He argues that even criminal organizations in the past may have cared more about the well-being of their consumers. Singer emphasizes that his data supports his claims. While some states, like Massachusetts and Alabama, require testing for coliform bacteria, Colorado does not. Even when states test for the same microbes, their acceptable limit levels often differ significantly.Singer's revelations underscore the growing need for stricter regulations and more comprehensive testing in the cannabis industry. While there haven't been widespread reports of people getting sick from contaminated marijuana, the long-term health impacts of smoking weed with unknown contaminants remain largely unknown. As the legal marijuana market continues to expand, it's crucial to prioritize consumer safety and ensure that regulations keep pace with the industry's rapid growth. The director of the Marijuana Enforcement Division, Dominique Mendiola, declined to comment directly on Singer's data or the safety of the marijuana supply. However, she stated that a robust process is in place to ensure the product is free from contaminants. The MED has issued 97 health and safety notices since 2016, but these advisories often involve products that were sold and likely consumed months or even years prior. This suggests that contamination may be occurring after the product leaves the grow facility, during storage, or that testing methods are not always sufficiently effective in detecting contaminated products
Cannabis Marijuana Testing Safety Regulations Colorado Health Risks Contamination Pesticides Mold Bacteria
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Colorado's Purchase of The Stanley Hotel Raises ConcernsThe article criticizes Colorado's government plan to buy and renovate The Stanley Hotel for nearly $500 million, arguing that it oversteps the state's role in economic development and historic preservation. It also criticizes a proposed tax credit for the Sundance Film Festival, calling it an unnecessary economic arms race.
Read more »
Man killed by stray weight at Colorado track and field meet remembered as dedicated husband, dadRelatives of a spectator killed by an errant weight thrown at a youth track and field meet in Colorado say he was a dedicated father with a great sense of humor. Fifty-seven-year-old Wade Langston of Colorado Springs was killed Sunday at the Colorado United Track Club meet at the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs campus.
Read more »
Spectator Killed by Hammer Throw at Youth Track MeetA spectator was tragically killed by a hammer thrown by a competitor during a youth track and field meet in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The incident happened at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus. Authorities are investigating the accident.
Read more »
Venezuelan Migrant Arrested in Bronx, Accused of Part in Colorado Home InvasionFederal prosecutors have apprehended a Venezuelan migrant in the Bronx, alleging his involvement as a fugitive and gang member in a violent home invasion in Colorado last year. Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, is accused of participating in an armed burglary that resulted in the kidnapping, beating, and stabbing of two Venezuelan immigrants in Aurora, Colorado. Zambrano-Pacheco fled Colorado following the incident and was subsequently tracked to a Bronx apartment by federal agents. He faces federal charges in Manhattan related to firearm possession and is wanted on separate charges in Colorado.
Read more »
Spectator Killed by Hammer Throw at Colorado Track MeetA spectator was killed at a youth track and field meet in Colorado when they were struck by a hammer throw weight. The accident happened Sunday morning at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus during an event hosted by the Colorado United Track Club.
Read more »
New York's Legal Weed Business Booms, Generating $161.8 Million in Tax RevenueNew York's legal cannabis industry is experiencing a surge in revenue, generating $161.8 million in tax revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Governor Hochul's budget projects even greater revenue for the coming years, reaching $374 million by 2029. This growth coincides with the industry surpassing $1 billion in sales, prompting celebrations in Albany. The increased tax revenue is attributed to a crackdown on illegal cannabis shops and the expansion of the legal market.
Read more »