Pesticides in Cannabis

How to Test!

 

Pesticides Testing Lab

Hemp & Cannabis Pesticides Testing Information

Generally categorized by the WHO in classes I-III from "extremely hazardous" to "slightly hazardous" pesticides are an issue with any plant material, and cannabis and hemp are no exception. Diligent testing for pesticides is required to ensure the safety for all cannabis consumers.

Chemically speaking, pesticides found in cannabis cover a wide range of classes: acids to bases, volatile orsemi-volatile, water or fat soluble, short-lived or long-lasting. To a chemist, the only things that properties pesticides have in common is the function of controlling pests. It's no surprise that some pesticides can be remediated easily from cannabis products while some cannot. Testing for this wide array of chemicals in hemp products can be challenging, especially since the defined acceptable levels of cannabis pesticides are generally very low - at or below part-per-billion levels.

These complications, along with cannabis presenting a challenging sample matrix, mean that testing for cannabis pesticides requires the most cutting-edge instrumentation. The most common solution is an LC-MS/MS triple-quad. Depending on the particular state regulations, a supplementary GC-MS/MS triple-quad may be required.

Contact Us for Expert Guidance in Cannabis & Hemp Pesticides Testing

Testing for pesticides in cannabis is not trivial both in terms of expertise and importance. Contact us for expert assistance in choosing the right solution for your hemp testing needs. No two businesses are the same and neither are two testing solutions. We work with you to find the best fit for your needs, budget, and experience level.


  1. Cannabinoids/Potency
  2. Terpenes
  3. Residual Solvents
  4. Heavy Metals
  5. Pesticides

Explore AIM's Equipment Inventory

Equipment/Testing Method Matrix

Quick Reference Table

  HPLC Headspace GC or GC-MS Liquid GC or GC-MS ICP-MS LC-MS/MS GC-MS/MS
Potency/Cannabinoids

Terpenes

Residual Solvents

**

Heavy Metals

Pesticides

****

** For simple solvent analysis only. Headspace is preferred for most applications

**** Supplementary to LC/MS MS for certain pesticide analytes



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