Health Canada has announced new pesticide testing rules for licensed producers in Canada, The Growth Op reports.
Starting January 2, Canada will require licensed producers (LPs) to submit samples of all products to independent laboratories to be tested for nearly 100 different pesticides. During Canada’s medical-only days, most pesticides were prohibited but there was no system of independent testing to guarantee the rules were being followed.
LPs largely support the move and herald it as a necessary step.
“My opinion is that the industry, on the whole, is trying to do a good job. The problem is, you’re going from essentially a completely illegal industry to one that is legal and highly regulated, and it’s a transition. Getting rid of some of the bad habits is going to take a bit of time.” — John Coleman, President of Anandia Labs, via The Growth Op
Only pesticides approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency will be allowed for cannabis cultivators.
Should the tests turn up any unauthorized pesticide use, Health Canada will quarantine the product and launch an investigation into the LP and exactly where the contamination originated.
Adult-use cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17.