Contaminants

David Hodes has written for many cannabis publications, and organized or moderated sessions at national and international cannabis trade shows. He was voted the 2018 Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access, the world’s largest medical cannabis advocacy organization.

Articles

Different extraction processes, new products, and new equipment combine to create the perfect storm of better, safer extractions.

Taking a Measure of Evolving Extraction Technology

How can we address the pest problems created in commercial cannabis cultivation facilities when environmental control systems are improperly designed or implemented?

How Poor Environmental Control Creates Pest Pressure

In this study, Tween 20 amounts were increased in 1% increments while monitoring two different factors. 

Optimal Dilution of Polysorbate (Tween) 20 for the Determination of Enterobacteria and Total Yeast and Mold on Cannabis Concentrate 

What is mycology and why is it important to the cannabis industry?

Mycology 101:  Understanding Mold as a Threat in the Cannabis Industry

This study offers guidance to establishing meaningful quality standards for the commercialization of cannabis and cannabis-related products.

Microbiological Implications  of Commercial Cannabis in Northern California:  A Survey of Bacterial  and Fungal Contamination

In this study, dried cannabis flower found to have yeast and mold during compliance screening were randomly chosen to be plated at two different incubation temperatures to compare total amount of yeast and mold growth.

Temperature Comparison of 3M Rapid Yeast and Mold Petrifilm Utilizing Manufacturer’s Suggested Temperatures on Dried Cannabis Flower (Cannabis spp.)

This article takes a look at the major atomic spectroscopy techniques and compares their performance characteristics and in particular examines the limits of quantitation for the four heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, and Hg) currently being regulated in cannabis and hemp by most states in the US.

Measuring Heavy Metals in Cannabis: What Atomic Spectroscopic Technique Is Right for Your Laboratory?

An argument for moving away from traditional culture-based methods and towards employing methods with increased specificity and accuracy.

Budtender: Is That a Harmful Mold in My Bud?

What are some clear-cut methods to recognizing signs and certain types of contamination that can minimize risk and maximize production of pure, clean cannabis?

Azulenes: A Clear Sign of Cannabis Oil Contamination

Part I of this article series focuses on the physiology of heavy metal transport and translocation into and within plant tissues.