Marijuana Farms in Washington Resume Operations Following Pesticide Concerns

Terry Taylor’s marijuana farm in the high desert of north-central Washington state is buzzing with activity once again. After facing restrictions due to pesticide concerns, the farm is now back in business. Each hole for a new plant is carefully filled with clean soil, and the ground is covered with landscape fabric to protect the crops from contaminated dust. Crushed rock will soon cover the dirt roads on the property, ensuring the crops remain unaffected.

Several marijuana farms in the area were temporarily shut down by state regulators in April after product testing revealed unacceptable levels of chemicals linked to DDT, a synthetic pesticide banned fifty years ago. Although the affected growers did not use the pesticide themselves, their farms are located on former fruit orchards where DDT was heavily applied and still lingers in the soil.

Last week, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board announced the lifting of restrictions on these businesses. With state financial support, the farms are taking measures to prevent residual pesticide contamination and rebuild their brands. The board also plans to increase pesticide testing for cannabis from the region.

The halt in operations since April has had a severe impact on Taylor, who operates two licensed cannabis producer-processors, Okanogan Gold and Kibble Junction. He has been living off savings, with his income reduced to one-tenth of its previous amount. Taylor used to employ six full-time workers and 20 seasonal workers, but currently, he has only two employees.

Pesticides in cannabis are a concern for both regulators and consumers in states where marijuana is legal. This concern arises because cannabis is often smoked or concentrated, which can intensify pesticide levels in the final product. Instances of pesticide-contaminated pot have been reported in other states as well.

Since marijuana remains illegal under federal law, each state has established its own regulations regarding pesticides in cannabis. The extent of regulation and the acceptable trace amounts of pesticides in products vary widely. It is unclear how many states require cannabis to be tested for legacy pesticides such as DDT.

The recent experience in Washington state with DDE, a remnant chemical from the breakdown of DDT, highlights the limitations of such regulations in protecting public health. The Liquor and Cannabis Board’s chemist noticed high test results for DDE in March, traced them to a specific growing area, and prompted recalls from the companies involved. However, a significant portion of the products had already been sold.

DDT was widely used in the decades following World War II to control mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects. However, its detrimental effects on nature, as documented in Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring,” led to a national ban on its agricultural use in 1972. Studies have shown that women with high levels of DDE in their blood are more likely to give birth prematurely or have babies with respiratory issues. The chemical is considered a possible carcinogen.

The risk from DDE in cannabis is likely low, according to Christopher Simpson, deputy director of the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center at the University of Washington. However, individuals using marijuana medicinally, particularly those with existing health issues, may be more concerned. Comprehensive risk assessments are yet to be conducted due to a lack of experimental data regarding cannabis consumption and DDT deposition in the body.

Most of the problematic cannabis samples tested above the 0.1 ppm limit set by state law, but still below the tolerable levels for DDT contamination in tobacco set by federal authorities. However, one sample of cannabis oil or resin exceeded the limit at 1.7 ppm.

While some affected growers argued that regulators overreacted by halting operations instead of issuing recalls, Chandra Wax, director of the board’s enforcement and education division, defended the decision, emphasizing the responsibility and swift action taken to protect the public.

The source of DDE contamination in the products remains unclear. Cannabis is known for its ability to remove contaminants from the soil and has been studied for environmental cleanup purposes. Taylor speculates that dust settling on the plants from farm activities or even DDT present in wildfire smoke in the region may have caused the contamination.

In response to the testing results, Washington lawmakers have allocated $200,000 to help growers remediate their soil and $5 million for a study on the absorption of toxins by marijuana plants. The study aims to determine the transfer of toxins to cannabis products and explore potential methods for growing plants in pots or decontaminating the soil in the area.

Republican Representative Joel Kretz, who represents the region, hopes that a resolution can be found without forcing farmers out of business. Ensuring a safe product and preventing health risks remain top priorities in this ongoing situation.

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More about marijuana farms

• Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board
• Environmental Protection Agency: DDT
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: DDT Health Effects
• Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” Book
• Marijuana Policy Project
• National Pesticide Information Center: Pesticides and Cannabis
• University of Washington: Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center
• Washington State Legislature
• Washington State Department of Agriculture
• Washington State Department of Health