Pre-qualifying a new packaging material supplier or a water source prior to use is a proactive approach that could bypass issues with finished product. Cultivators should test the soil, nutrient medium, water and any new clones or plants for heavy metals. On an ongoing basis, we recommend cultivators test for the regulated heavy metals in R&D samples any time there are changes in a growing process including changes to growing media, cannabis strains, a water system or source, packaging materials and fertilizers or pesticides. The California Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) mandates heavy metals testing for all three categories of cannabis products (inhalable cannabis, inhalable cannabis products and other cannabis and cannabis products) starting December 31, 2018. The four heavy metals tested in the cannabis industry are lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium. The inputs used by cultivators that can be contaminated with heavy metals include fertilizers, growing media, air, water and even the clone/plant itself. They can also be present in low quality glass or plastic packaging materials that can leach into the final cannabis product upon contact. They affect the water and soil, and become concentrated in plants, animals, pesticides and the sediments used to make fertilizers. Heavy metals are common environmental contaminants resulting from human industrial activities such as mining operations, industrial waste, automotive emissions, coal fired power plants and farm/house hold water run-off. Editor’s Note: The following is based on research and studies performed in their Santa Cruz Lab, with contributions from Mikhail Gadomski, Lab Manager, Ryan Maus Technical Services Analyst, Laurie Post, Director of Food Safety & Compliance, and Charles Deibel, President Deibel Cannabis Labs.
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