California issues list of approved pesticides for cannabis cultivation

Key Points
  • California regulators have approved 261 pesticide products for use on cannabis products.
  • The Department of Cannabis Control has struggled with a pesticide scandal, leading to a shake in confidence in the state's marijuana market.
  • The approved list of pesticides can be found on the California Department of Pesticide Regulation website.
  • Approved pesticides must meet specific criteria and be used in accordance with label, regulatory, and legal requirements.

California regulators have released a list of 261 pesticide products they’ve approved for use on cannabis products.

The guidance from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation comes on the tail end of another trying year for the state’s industry and its primary regulator, the Department of Cannabis Control, which has struggled to contain a monthslong pesticide scandal.

The fallout has shaken confidence in the world’s largest regulated marijuana market, undermined the credibility of testing labs and forced licensed operators to establish new vetting protocols with single-source suppliers.

The approved list of approved pesticides is available here.

When marijuana was legalized in California, the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) identified certain criteria for legal pesticide use for cultivation.

Approved pesticides meet the following criteria:

According to the DPR, pesticides used on cannabis, including minimum-risk products, must be implemented in accordance with applicable label, regulatory and other legal requirements, including directions for use, storage and disposal as well as personal protective equipment for applicators.

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