Washington State’s Pesticide-Free Cannabis Regulations
Washington has finally made the push and is now playing catch-up with nearly all other legal-use states currently requiring testing for cannabis products, ensuring they are truly pesticide-free. This requirement went into effect on April 2nd, 2022 (allowing some time for stores to clear through their current inventory). Many industry officials are giving pushback to the recent changes, stating these new regulations will only drive up the cost of cannabis sales and lead to fewer product options in local dispensaries. This is due to the cost of sample testing, which can run anywhere from $165 to $400 per sample. The list of state-approved testing labs can be found here.
Up until recently, Washington has been the only state not requiring testing for both toxic heavy metals and pesticides for recreational users. “These rules reflect years of hard work and engagement between LCB staff, licensees, and labs,” said Board Chair David Postman. “Testing for pesticides and heavy metals adds a deeper layer of confidence for consumers that these products are free of chemical or biological residuals.” Heavy metal testing requirements went into effect on January 31st, 2022.
While at times many have found the laws and regulations the Liquor and Cannabis Board has put forth to be rather confusing and frustrating, we believe that the LCB genuinely got it right this time. It’s time for Washington State to move in the direction of cleaner cannabis products for all consumers. Since legalization passed by ballot initiative in 2012, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been developing the parameters for what pest-repellant options are acceptable to use on cannabis. They’ve determined these substances are mild and safe enough for human consumption. More information about this can be found on Washington State University’s Pesticide Information Center Online database.
Up until this point, it was completely legal for cannabis growers to put “pesticide-free” on their product labels without actually having undergone pesticide testing. While we’re pleased to see this change, we want to make it clear that companies will still be able to say their products are pesticide-free as long as they haven’t tested beyond the legal limit for the above list of approved pesticides. Truly pesticide-free cannabis (that is, cannabis grown without the use of any pesticides whatsoever) can be hard to come by, but we’re dedicated to providing only the cleanest cannabis possible to our customers!
Passion Flower is Leading the Way Towards Clean Cannabis
For us here at Passion Flower, pesticide-free cannabis has always been the standard. Not only do we third-party test any partner farm’s products before we’ll sell them, but we also ensure that at our own facility, no pesticides are ever on the premises. Using some of the most innovative, economical growing technology available, Dataponics has revolutionized the way we grow cannabis for both Fairwinds and Passion Flower. We now have the ability to cultivate some of the most consistent flower, all while leaving a much smaller carbon footprint than the industry standard.
We have put careful thought into our consumer’s holistic health, which is why Passion Flower offers Washington’s only full-gram ceramic cartridge! We understand the importance of making sure our vapes aren’t giving off any heavy metals or toxins- so for us, the decision to go ceramic was an easy one. Not only do ceramic cartridges offer a much healthier way to smoke, but they also provide a smoother and tastier experience too!
We hope to become trailblazers in championing Washington’s cannabis market towards clean cannabis for all consumers, leading the way in staying up on innovative and eco-friendly options for cultivators and manufacturers alike. For us at Passion Flower, putting equity into this industry’s longevity is far more important than anything else, and we aim to continue providing quality and integrity in everything we do.
As we always say, pesticides are gross – and clean cannabis is possible!
Thanks for reading,
