The protection of the public who consume cannabis is paramount. The states that allow the cultivation and sale of cannabis are requiring that the substance be tested before it is sold in the local dispensaries for retail sale. Public safety is a primary concern for the protection of the public and it is not just the amount of THC, it’s the possible contaminants.
Cannabis is a plant that is grown either in outside greenhouses or inside in an airtight building. Growing methods vary with soil, hydroponics and Rock Wool being the most popular methods of growing the cannabis plant. Every farmer has his preference, yet none can assure that there are no contaminants that can possibly threaten the health of the person consuming the cannabis.
State agencies are requiring cannabis be tested for levels for moisture content, contaminants, residual solvents, microbiological impurities, and foreign material.
Microbiological impurities: Some Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains can cause human disease. One strain produces a toxin called Shiga toxin, which can result in serious illness. Because of the low infectious dose required for disease causation, there should be zero tolerance for the presence of Shiga toxin–producing E. coli in medical cannabis goods.
Salmonella in cannabis has been documented and, in 1981, resulted in a multistate outbreak. It has also been associated with gastrointestinal disease in both healthy and in immunocompromised populations.
Aspergillus is a fungus that can cause serious health problems. Certain Aspergillus strains can cause a variety of immune- reaction lung disorders, ranging from asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis to invasive systemic fungal infections.
Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain fungi that can grow on human food and animal feed grain. Human exposure to mycotoxins, through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, has been associated with severe human health impacts that include necrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinomas.
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