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Inspectors with WSDA’s pesticide and fertilizer compliance programs have found that 15 products commonly used in horticulture and hydroponics, including in marijuana production, contain undeclared pesticide chemical compounds in their ingredients.
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| An indoor marijuana production operation in Washington. |
Samples tested
On March 9 and 10, WSDA inspectors pulled 39 products from the shelves of four businesses in Clark and King counties to test them for the presence of pesticides. Testing has been completed on 27 of the products with more than half showing the presence of pesticides that were not declared on the label.
Two of the pesticide products are on the WSDA list of products allowed for use in marijuana production. However, their labels did not declare all the pesticide ingredients. Testing revealed both products contained pesticide ingredients not on the allowable use list. The products are now being removed from that list as a result of this testing.
The remaining 13 products tested were sold as fertilizers or plant washes, however, they were all found to contain pesticide ingredients. WSDA is awaiting results on another dozen products. The 15 products identified as including undisclosed pesticides include:
1. Safergro Mildew Cure for Powdery Mildew Control
2. SNS 217C All Natural Spider Mite Control Concentrate
3. Humboldt Roots
4. Olivia’s Cloning Gel
5. Optic Foliar AT-AK
6. Optic Foliar Overgrow
7. Optic Foliar Switch
8. Rock Resinator Heavy Yields
9. Root 66 1-1-1
10. The Hammer
11. Frost Protection Plus
12. NPK Mighty Wash
13. OG Rapid Flower + Hardener
14. Pyyro K 0-3-7
15. Vita Grow Thunder Boom
Next steps
The manufacturers of these products will receive Notices of Correction in the coming days advising them of the test results and directing them to properly label their products so that all ingredients are disclosed. The “stop sale” notice will be mailed to the retail outlets where the products were found, directing them to stop distributing the products. Notification is also being sent to known wholesale distributors of these products.
The notice and list of products found with undisclosed pesticides is posted on the agency’s Pesticide and Fertilizer Use on Marijuana in Washington webpage.
In January, WSDA directed the removal of Guardian Mite Spray from store shelves after it, too, was found to include undisclosed pesticides among its ingredients. Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Agriculture issued a stop sale order for Mega Wash and Mighty Wash, two plant cleaners that were found to contain pesticides.