Colorado: Mandatory Pesticide Testing begins August 1, 2018
Mandatory pesticide testing for both medical and recreational marijuana flower and trim begins Wednesday, August 1, 2018 in Colorado. All harvest batches created on or after August 1, will require pesticide testing from all medical and recreational cultivation facilities. Pesticide testing for concentrates is not required.
Which Pesticides?
The permitted pesticides tested are listed in Rule R 712(E)(5), and include, but are not limited to: Abamectin (Avermectins: B1a & B1b), Azoxystrobin, Bifenazate, Etoxazole, Imazalil, Imidacloprid, Malathion, Myclobutanil, Permethrin (mix of isomers), Spinosad (Mixture of A and D), Spiromesifen, Spirotetramat, and Tebuconazole. However, if a permitted pesticide is applied improperly, a harvest batch can fail a test. Harvest batches detected with other banned pesticides not specifically listed in MED rules may also fail pesticide testing.
What Happens if a Harvest Batch Fails One of the Pesticide Tests?
If a harvest batch fails one or more pesticide tests, there is a procedure to retest the original test batch. The licensee must request that two additional samples that be retested for the failed pesticide. If one or both retests give a result above the allowable PPM level, all batches associated with this Harvest Batch must be destroyed.
Don’t Make an Expensive Mistake!
The use of chemicals is part of modern agriculture. Maintaining healthy marijuana plants and indoor grow environments is a challenge under a commercial production schedule. It is essential to comply with new pesticide testing regulation. A non-compliant harvest batch may not only be an expensive mistake, it can be a public health fiasco for a marijuana business to be associated with high levels of pesticides and failed tests. The attorneys at McAllister Garfield, P.C. are available to answer client questions on this new testing regulation.
Click below to read MED Bulletin 18-07.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/IB%2018-07%20Pesticide%20IB%2006292018.pdf
Related Article
August 2025 Psychedelic Law Update
Status of Colorado Model State Screening Forms For many months, DORA has been promising to release the model screening forms that will satisfy the requirements of the Natural Medicine Health Act to conduct a psilocybin healing administration session under the state regulated program. However, the models forms have not yet been finalized or released. There […]
July 2025 Psychedelic Law Update
Denver Local Natural Medicine Licenses Now Available The City of Denver is requiring a local license fornatural medicine healing centers that allow original facilitators to practice as a result of Denver City Council unanimously approvingCouncil Bill 25-0132in March. Healing centers with only clinical facilitators are exempt from the local licensing requirements. Natural medicine cultivating, manufacturing […]
June 2025 Psychedelic Law Update
NMHA System is Live with Licensing of Testing Facility – Medicine available With the licensing of the first testing facility in Colorado, the regulated natural medicine supply chain is complete and the program is fully launched for operations. The state issued a compliance tip guidance on testing. See the guidance here. McAllister Law has a list […]