Last Tuesday, Beyond Pesticides, a nonprofit organization said that a lack of federal regulations on pesticides used on marijuana plants is putting marijuana consumers at risk.
Beyond Pesticides are advising their supporters to send letters to lawmakers urging them to hold hearings and investigations on the illicit use of unapproved pesticides in the legal markets to prevent toxic pesticide contamination. They are urging the state to advise the farmers to adopt an organic system of planting the cannabis crop.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has to approve and register each crop before farmers can apply the pesticide. And since cannabis is not a legal agricultural crop, EPA will not be able to register any pesticides for the crop as it will require first to carry out studies showing their environmental and human impact. Moreover, there are no established tolerances for pesticide use in marijuana plants; therefore, EPA cannot approve labeling of the product’s safety requirements.
However, in August, EPA announced that they are reviewing ten pesticides that can be used on hemp crops.
Some states that have implemented their own regulations regarding pesticide application in cannabis crops have reported several cases of contamination. These states include California, Colorado, and Oregon. This situation requires congressional interference, argues Beyond Pesticides, because the use of federally registered pesticides is prohibited in other states.
The letter says that states do not have the permission to allow the use of pesticides in marijuana production or processing because of the absence of federal testing on the possible effect of pesticides on marijuana users, producers, and the environment as a whole. However, it can provide guidelines for sustainable production practices meant to protect the health of the consumers and the environment.
The nonprofit organization argues that the only option for marijuana farmers is to embrace input exempt from federal registration and adopt organic soil management practices. However, the downside to embracing the organic soil management approach is the continued registration of pesticides for marijuana in some states, which violates federal law.
The group further argues that it would be prudent, precautionary, and a positive trajectory for the farmers to follow the dictates of the national organic soils management practices when growing marijuana.
Beyond Pesticides says that it is essential to limit consumer exposure to pesticide. This is because pesticides introduce toxic chemicals to medical marijuana products. And, the ability of the body to detoxify these pesticide chemicals can be hindered by using medical marijuana because cannabinoids essentially inhibit enzymes that assist in detoxifying chemicals.
Beyond Pesticides made two recommendations to be addressed by Congress. The first issue is for Congress to hold hearings documenting states that are using federally registered pesticides, thus violating federal law. The second issue is for Congress to request the Office of the Inspector General and Government Accountability Office to conduct an investigation that clarifies the responsibility of the EPA and state enforcers in ensuring pesticide product labeling compliance.
It is strongly believed that cannabis industry actors like Neutra Corp. (OTCQB: NTRR) and Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSX: OGI) (NASDAQ: OGI) are also concerned about pesticide use but a definitive direction can only be provided by the authorities.
About CNW420
CNW420 spotlights the latest developments in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry through the release of two informative articles each business day. Our concise, informative content serves as a gateway for investors interested in the legalized cannabis sector and provides updates on how regulatory developments may impact financial markets. Articles are released each business day at 4:20 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. Eastern – our tribute to the time synonymous with cannabis culture. If marijuana and the burgeoning industry surrounding it are on your radar, CNW420 is for you! Check back daily to stay up-to-date on the latest milestones in the fast -changing world of cannabis.
To receive instant SMS alerts, text CANNABIS to 21000 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.CNW420.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Do you have a questions or are you interested in working with CNW420? Ask our Editor
CannabisNewsWire420
Denver, Colorado
http://www.CNW420.com
303.498.7722 Office
Editor@CannabisNewsWire.com
