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Sack C, Simpson C, Pacheco K. The Emerging Spectrum of Respiratory Diseases in the U.S. Cannabis Industry. Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2023; 44:405-414. [PMID: 37015286 PMCID: PMC10449032 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1766116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
While the cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing job markets in the United States and globally, relatively little is known about the occupational hazards that cannabis production workers face. Based on the closely related hemp industry and preliminary studies from recreational cannabis grow facilities, there is concern for significant respiratory exposures to bioaerosols containing microbial and plant allergens, chemicals such as pesticides, volatile organic compounds, and other irritant gases. Components of the cannabis plant have also recently been identified as allergenic and capable of inducing an immunoglobulin E-mediated response. Accumulating evidence indicates a spectrum of work-related respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and other allergic diseases. Disentangling causal relationships is difficult given the heterogeneity of mixed exposures, diagnostic challenges, and confounding by personal cannabis use. Despite and because of these uncertainties, better regulatory guidance and exposure controls need to be defined in order to reduce the risk of work-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralynn Sack
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Christopher Simpson
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Karin Pacheco
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Jewish Hospital, Denver, CO
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2
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Willow J, Silva AI, Taning CNT, Smagghe G, Veromann E. Towards dsRNA-integrated protection of medical Cannabis crops: considering human safety, recent- and developing RNAi methods, and research inroads. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2023; 79:1267-1272. [PMID: 36514999 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Owing to the expanding industry of medical Cannabis, we discuss recent milestones in RNA interference (RNAi)-based crop protection research and development that are transferable to medical Cannabis cultivation. Recent and prospective increases in pest pressure in both indoor and outdoor Cannabis production systems, and the need for effective nonchemical pest control technologies (particularly crucial in the context of cultivating plants for medical purposes), are discussed. We support the idea that developing RNAi tactics towards protection of medical Cannabis could play a major role in maximizing success in this continuously expanding industry. However, there remain critical knowledge gaps, especially with regard to RNA pesticide biosafety from a human toxicological viewpoint, as a result of the medical context of Cannabis product use. Furthermore, efforts are needed to optimize transformation and micropropagation of Cannabis plants, examine cutting edge RNAi techniques for various Cannabis-pest scenarios, and investigate the combined application of RNAi- and biological control tactics in medical Cannabis cultivation. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Willow
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ana I Silva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Clauvis Nji Tizi Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eve Veromann
- Chair of Plant Health, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
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3
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Jameson LE, Conrow KD, Pinkhasova DV, Boulanger HL, Ha H, Jourabchian N, Johnson SA, Simeone MP, Afia IA, Cahill TM, Orser CS, Leung MC. Comparison of State-Level Regulations for Cannabis Contaminants and Implications for Public Health. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:97001. [PMID: 36102653 PMCID: PMC9472674 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of contaminants in cannabis presents a potential health hazard to recreational users and susceptible patients with medical conditions. Because of the federally illegal status of cannabis, there are no unified regulatory guidelines mitigating the public health risk of cannabis contaminants. OBJECTIVE To inform further research and provide solutions to the public health risk of cannabis contaminants at a national level, we examined the current landscape of state-level contaminant regulations, and cannabis contaminants of concern, as well as patient populations susceptible to contaminants. METHODS We examined the regulatory documents for medical and recreational cannabis in all legalized U.S. jurisdictions and compiled a complete list of regulated contaminants, namely, pesticides, inorganics, solvents, microbes, and mycotoxins. We data mined the compliance testing records of 5,654 cured flower and 3,760 extract samples that accounted for ∼6% of California's legal cannabis production in 2020-2021. We also reviewed the publicly available medical cannabis use reports to tabulate the susceptible patient populations. RESULTS As of 18 May 2022, 36 states and the District of Columbia listed a total of 679 cannabis contaminants as regulated in medical or recreational cannabis, including 551 pesticides, 74 solvents, 12 inorganics, 21 microbes, 5 mycotoxins, and 16 other contaminants. Different jurisdictions showed significant variations in regulated contaminants and action levels ranging up to four orders of magnitude. A failure rate of 2.3% was identified for flowers and 9.2% for extracts in the California samples. Insecticides and fungicides were the most prevalent categories of detected contaminants, with boscalid and chlorpyrifos being the most common. The contaminant concentrations fell below the regulatory action levels in many legalized jurisdictions, indicating a higher risk of contaminant exposure. Cannabis use reports indicated usage in several patient populations susceptible to contamination toxicity, including cancer (44,318) and seizure (21,195) patients. DISCUSSION Although individual jurisdictions can implement their policies and regulations for legalized cannabis, this study demonstrates the urgent need to mitigate the public health risk of cannabis contamination by introducing national-level guidelines based on conventional risk assessment methodologies and knowledge of patients' susceptibility in medical use. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11206.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Jameson
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Kendra D. Conrow
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Dorina V. Pinkhasova
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Program, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, ASU, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Haleigh L. Boulanger
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
- Biological Data Science Program, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, ASU, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Hyunji Ha
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
- Biological Data Science Program, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, ASU, Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas M. Cahill
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Cindy S. Orser
- ASU Library Data Science and Analytics, ASU, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Maxwell C.K. Leung
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University (ASU), Glendale, Arizona, USA
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Amendola G, Bocca B, Picardo V, Pelosi P, Battistini B, Ruggieri F, Attard Barbini D, De Vita D, Madia VN, Messore A, Di Santo R, Costi R. Toxicological aspects of cannabinoid, pesticide and metal levels detected in light Cannabis inflorescences grown in Italy. Food Chem Toxicol 2021; 156:112447. [PMID: 34343597 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the cultivation of light Cannabis, with a total THC content less than 0.6%, has been encouraged due to its industrial and therapeutic potential. This has increased the consumption of hemp for both smoking purposes and food preparation. Even so, Cannabis inflorescences are not subject to EU regulations and standards provided for food and tobacco products. A study was carried out on thirty-one inflorescences samples, collected in different Italian regions, in order to determine cannabinoids, pesticides and metals and to evaluate the exposure of consumers to contaminants and ensure a safe consumption. Contents of THC were always below 0.5%, while CBD ranged between 0.3 and 8.64%. The determination of 154 pesticides showed that 87% of the samples contained fungicides and insecticides in the range 0.01-185 μg/g. The most found are spinosad and cyprodinil. The concentration of metals ranged from 1 to more than 100 μg/g and As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Cu, Mo, Ni and V exceeded the regulatory US limits for inhaled Cannabis products, while Pb exceeded them for both oral and inhaled products. These contaminants are intrinsically toxic and may affect public health. Actions are needed to establish regulatory measures and reduce the adverse effects caused by contaminants in Cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Amendola
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - B Bocca
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - V Picardo
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - P Pelosi
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - B Battistini
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - F Ruggieri
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - D Attard Barbini
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - D De Vita
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - V N Madia
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - A Messore
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - R Di Santo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - R Costi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, p.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Pinkhasova DV, Jameson LE, Conrow KD, Simeone MP, Davis AP, Wiegers TC, Mattingly CJ, Leung MCK. Regulatory Status of Pesticide Residues in Cannabis: Implications to Medical Use in Neurological Diseases. Curr Res Toxicol 2021; 2:140-148. [PMID: 34308371 PMCID: PMC8296824 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Movement disorders are the most common neurological category of qualifying conditions in the U.S. The number and action levels of regulated pesticides in cannabis differ vastly in 33 states and Washington, D.C. Network analysis reveals potential interactions of insecticides, cannabinoids, and seizure at a functional level.
Medical cannabis represents a potential route of pesticide exposure to susceptible populations. We compared the qualifying conditions for medical use and pesticide testing requirements of cannabis in 33 states and Washington, D.C. Movement disorders were the most common neurological category of qualifying conditions, including epilepsy, certain symptoms of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and any cause of symptoms leading to seizures or spasticity. Different approaches of pesticide regulation were implemented in cannabis and cannabis-derived products. Six states imposed the strictest U.S. EPA tolerances (i.e. maximum residue levels) for food commodities on up to 400 pesticidal active ingredients in cannabis, while pesticide testing was optional in three states. Dimethomorph showed the largest variation in action levels, ranging from 0.1 to 60 ppm in 5 states. We evaluated the potential connections between insecticides, cannabinoids, and seizure using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Twenty-two insecticides, two cannabinoids, and 63 genes were associated with 674 computationally generated chemical-gene-phenotype-disease (CGPD) tetramer constructs. Notable functional clusters included oxidation-reduction process (183 CGPD-tetramers), synaptic signaling pathways (151), and neuropeptide hormone activity (46). Cholinergic, dopaminergic, and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling pathways were linked to 10 genetic variants of epilepsy patients. Further research is needed to assess human health risk of cannabinoids and pesticides in support of a national standard for cannabis pesticide regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorina V Pinkhasova
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306.,Pharmacology and Toxicology Program, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306
| | - Laura E Jameson
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Program, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306
| | - Kendra D Conrow
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Program, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306
| | - Michael P Simeone
- ASU Library Data Science and Analytics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281
| | - Allan Peter Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Thomas C Wiegers
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Carolyn J Mattingly
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.,Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Maxwell C K Leung
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306.,Pharmacology and Toxicology Program, Arizona State University - West Campus, Glendale, AZ 85306
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