A recent Gallup survey indicates that marijuana use in the U.S. has doubled over the last ten years. In several states, cannabis is legal, and most Americans now consume it as often as they would wine or beer. However, finding safe and properly regulated marijuana products can be a challenge.
While marijuana carries health risks regardless of contamination, researchers warn that its increasing potency and widespread use can negatively impact mental health and brain function. An additional concern for users is the presence of harmful substances such as pesticides, heavy metals, and molds in vape products and edibles. Although state regulators are working to address these issues, experts suggest there is still a lot to be done.
Here’s a breakdown of key points regarding the safety of cannabis products and the current regulatory landscape.
- The complexity of marijuana regulation
Each state has its own approach to regulating cannabis, which makes enforcement inconsistent. Regulators aim to keep marijuana free from contaminants that can seep in from soil. These substances can pose short-term risks, such as food poisoning symptoms, and long-term risks, including cancer and neurological issues.
Federal law complicates regulation since cannabis remains illegal at the national level. Not all states have legalized marijuana, and those that have have quite different laws.
Research conducted in 2022 found more than 600 contaminants are regulated across 30 states, but each jurisdiction monitors only between 60 and 120 contaminants. This means a pesticide considered unsafe in one state might go unnoticed in another.
However, merely increasing the number of contaminants tested does not necessarily guarantee safer products. Scientists are still determining which substances pose the greatest threats.
- The persistence of the black market
Due to inconsistent state regulations and the continued federal ban, legally produced cannabis cannot be transported across state lines. This has allowed underground markets to thrive, often backed by criminal organizations. Many of these unregulated products are cultivated and processed under unsanitary conditions, with poor working environments and banned pesticides. They also lack reliable potency information.
Even many seemingly legitimate storefronts sell black-market cannabis, making it difficult for consumers to determine whether they are purchasing legally regulated products.
- Improvements in legal cannabis access
Experts anticipate that as time goes on, navigating the legal cannabis market will become easier for consumers. Drug policy researchers note that transitioning from prohibition to legalization is a gradual process.
Over time, legal marijuana businesses are expected to outcompete illicit sellers, making it simpler for consumers to identify safer products.
- The benefits of purchasing legal marijuana
Where available, legal marijuana is generally safer because it undergoes testing for contaminants such as mold and pesticides. States monitor these products and remove unsafe batches from shelves. Licensed growers and sellers have an incentive to maintain high standards to protect consumers and continue operating.
For instance, California saw over 60 cannabis product recalls last year, including flower buds, edibles, pre-rolls, and vape items—up significantly from just four recalls in 2023. Officials attribute this increase to expanded testing efforts.
Similarly, Maine, which has a newer regulatory system, had its first-ever marijuana recall last year due to mold concerns.
Although researchers continue to study the effectiveness of consumer protections, purchasing cannabis from licensed stores remains the safest option. Regulated products significantly reduce the likelihood of exposure to harmful contaminants, providing consumers with greater peace of mind.
If the federal government takes too long to reform its marijuana laws, the risk of contaminated products will only grow and it could reverse some of the gains that the reform movement has registered over the years. That would be a pity, because the business opportunities that were opening up at a fast pace for marijuana companies and also allied actors like Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) could begin to dwindle as consumers become wary of the available products.
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