Pesticides are any substances that can prevent, destroy, or repel insects, rodents, fungi, weeds, or other forms of plant or animal life or viruses. A pesticide may also be any substance used to regulate plant growth, such as a leaf-removing or drying agent. Farmers commonly use pesticides to prevent pests from destroying crops, and the practice is completely compliant. However, 69.5% of pesticide residues can remain in smoked marijuana, presenting health risks ranging from neurotoxicity to cancer and liver disease.

ACS offers the most sensitive and comprehensive pesticide screening and confirmation available utilizing Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS). Offering excellent sensitivity and throughput, the ultra-low detection limits provided by ACS’s proprietary methodology make this technique ideal for the analysis of pesticides commonly employed during cannabis cultivation.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by mold and fungi, particularly in warm and humid environments. Mold can infect cannabis flower and crops that become edibles and cannabis products, presenting safety and quality issues. Pre-harvest mycotoxin testing is the way to ensure products are compliant and safe to consume.

Mold, mildew, E.coli, Aerobic Bacteria, and  Enterobacteriaceae are common microbiological contaminants that can destroy entire harvests and pose serious health risks to consumers. ACS Laboratory screens hemp and cannabis plants for common microorganisms so growers can feel confident about their crops.