In a reminder of the dangers of the unregulated cannabis market, a new study from RPC Labs in New Brunswick, Canada, has revealed alarmingly high levels of chemical contaminants in illicit cannabis vape cartridges.

This study, which looked at products seized by law enforcement earlier this year, found that 93% of the tested unregulated vapes contained pesticide levels far above Health Canada limits, reported Stratscann.

Dangerous Pesticide Levels In Illicit Vapes

The study tested a variety of illicit cannabis products, including vapes, shatter, hash, flower and edibles, showing a consistent pattern of lower-than-advertised THC levels. In some cases, THC was 86% lower than claimed on the packaging.

One striking example was a gummy advertised to contain 50 mg of THC but tested at just 6.81 mg.

What sets this study apart is its focus on vape cartridges, an increasingly popular product in the illicit market. Out of the 27 illicit samples tested, only two were found to be free of detectable pesticides. Shockingly, one vape cartridge contained 22 different pesticides, with some found 3,000 times over the legal limit.

Read Also: ‘Just Smoke The Weed’: Why This Physician In California Urges Against Cannabis Vaping

Regulated Vs Unregulated

Main author Andrien Rackov addressed the importance of understanding the dangers posed by unlicensed products:

“The more studies done over time, the clearer the picture becomes. And this picture is disturbing.”

While these products showed alarming levels of contamination, the study also tested 10 legal vape products, all of which were compliant with Health Canada standards.

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All in all, consumers using unregulated cannabis products might not only be getting far less THC than advertised—they are also being exposed to potentially harmful chemicals.

This sharp contrast highlights the importance of purchasing from the legal market, where products undergo rigorous testing.

This study serves as a stark warning: we are once again reminded of the serious risks associated with unregulated cannabis products.

Cover: AI generated image