Analysis of Pesticides in a Cannabis sativa Matrix

Introduction

Cannabis sativa is well-known for its use as a recreational drug due the presence of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and has been listed as a Schedule 1 drug in the United States since the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.¹  With the recent surge in legalization of recreational and medicinal use, there is a need for reliable analytical tools to meet the regulatory requirements for pesticide testing in Cannabis.  Action limits for each pesticide vary between jurisdictions, but can be as low as 10 ppb.^2,3