OPP – Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau – Research Shows High Levels of Dangerous Chemicals in Illegal Cannabis

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Police Blotter

Why You Need to Drop Your Dealer

Do you trust your dealer to tell the truth about the illegal cannabis products you are buying and consuming? How do you know if what you’re reading on an illegal cannabis package is accurate?

Results from THC level testing and pesticide analysis answer these questions and should sway consumers who haven’t broken ties with their weed dealer to switch to legal cannabis.

In 2020, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) had cannabis, seized from across the province, tested and the findings provide insight into the deceptive and unsafe illegal cannabis products being sold on the illicit market.

Based on test results from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the below graph illustrates the varied levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in the seized illegal cannabis vape samples tested, ranging from less than one per cent to almost 80 per cent. While the majority of the illegal samples did not advertise THC levels on the packaging, the six samples that claimed to have THC content greater than 90 per cent actually measured values from 45 to 60 per cent. By contrast, another study demonstrated that legal cannabis vape liquids from the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) can be consistently produced with greater than 80 per cent THC content. In addition to the greater risk of harmful fillers and contaminants with low THC content, this research shows your weed dealer may not be giving you the potency you expect.

Se e attached NRC Cannabis graph 1

The NRC also performed pesticide analysis using its validated testing method for 96 pesticides. These pesticides are specified in Health Canada’s Mandatory Cannabis Testing for Pesticide Active Ingredients. High levels of pesticides were detected in all samples with myclobutanil (graph below) being the most prominent, ranging from 0.3 parts-per-million (ppm) to over 500 ppm – several thousand times higher than the detection limits set by Health Canada. Myclobutanil can generate hydrogen cyanide when heated, a dangerous toxic compound that is linked to various cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological illnesses.

See attached NRC Cannabis graph 2

In addition to vape liquids, several dried cannabis samples, seized by the OPP at sites operating illegally under the Health Canada personal production of cannabis for medical purposes regime, were also tested for pesticides. As illustrated in the graph below, myclobutanil was again present in all of the samples with concentrations greater than the Health Canada limit. Other pesticides were also detected such as metalaxyl, chlorpyrfos, and pyridaben, in some cases at levels 100 times higher than listed limits. High levels of pesticide residue present significant health complications for cannabis consumers.

See attached NRC Cannabis graph 3

These pesticides are not only harmful to consumers, they could also pose a risk to the surrounding communities. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) enforces Ontario’s environmental laws and partners with the OPP to help c ombat hazardous impacts to the environment at illegal cannabis production operations. During one inspection of an OPP-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team’s (PJFCET) takedown in November 2020, MECP found large open holding tanks filled with liquid fertilizer connected to a storm water pond that ultimately discharged into a municipal drain. Approximately 75,000 containers of soil were found at the location, and through a small sample collection, the presence of several hazardous pesticides that require special management were identified.

It’s time to know what you’re purchasing and break up with your weed dealer – for your own health and safety.

Over the last two years, the PJFCET’s focus has been to remove unsafe, illegal cannabis from communities by dismantling illegal storefronts, cannabis grow operations and online cannabis sites.

“The OPP remains committed to unmasking the threats inherent with criminal cannabis. We will continue work w ith our various partners to expose the health and public safety risks related to the illegal market. The test results are clear evidence that consumers don’t know what they’re getting when they purchase illegal cannabis products and how important it is to know the facts,” says Rachel Huggins, OPP Deputy Director, Executive Lead – Cannabis Legislation.

PJFCET Enforcement Statistics 

See attached PJFCET infographic

RESOURCES

Media resources including research findings, charts, graphics and evidence photos can be found in the media kit at OPP News.

ABOUT PJFCET

The PJFCET is responsible for enforcing the cannabis laws and investigating criminal enterpr ises that exploit or abuse the legal cannabis market and consists of members from: OPP, Kingston Police, Hamilton Police Service, Barrie Police Service, Sarnia Police Service, Windsor Police Service, London Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Anishinabek Police Service and Durham Regional Police Service.

LEARN MORE

The only way to purchase legal cannabis in Ontario is through the online Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) or in-person at an Alcohol and Gami ng Commission of Ontario (AGCO)-authorized private retailer. Purchasing legal cannabis is the only way to ensure the cannabis has met the health and safety standards set out by the governments of Canada and Ontario. Illegal cannabis often does not match what is being advertised -recent testing of illegal cannabis products indicated lower than advertised THC levels and the use of banned pesticides. The purchase of cannabis from anywhere other than the online OCS or an authorized private retailer could lead to a fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year.