Cannabis contamination concerns raised by Okanagan collective

The owner of a Vernon cannabis shop and spokesperson for a group of licensed retailers says concern is growing about contamination of unlicensed product from the illicit market.

Sarah Ballantyne of SpiritLeaf is spokesperson for the Okanagan Cannabis Collective, which represents 20-plus legal cannabis stores.

The organization has been campaigning for "a level playing field" with unlicensed dispensaries, which don't pay licence fees, PST or the vape tax.

But, on top of financial considerations, the collective is raising the alarm about pesticide contamination of unlicensed product, along with cross-contamination with other substances in potentially dangerous combinations.

"We're starting to see unlicensed dispensaries increase the number of products available, and are hearing of cross-contamination," Ballantyne says.

She says a recent Ontario Provincial Police study of vape products and dried cannabis flower seized from the illicit market showed high levels of pesticides. The testing was provided by the National Research Council of Canada.

High levels of pesticide were detected in all samples, with amounts ranging from 0.3 parts-per-million to over 500 ppm – several thousand times higher than Health Canada regulations.

Contaminants included myclobutanil, metalaxyl, chlorpyrifos, and pyridaben.

The report also raised concern about unsafe discharge of the chemicals in multiple incidents.

Ballantyne contaminated product could cause nosebleeds, coughing, flu-like symptoms and more.

She said it's hard to pinpoint where such cannabis products are being grown due to the unregulated sellers, many of which are located on First Nation land, but she is getting some support in trying to get government to crack down on them.

Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris wrote to Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth this month, expressing "ongoing and increased concern" over the number of illegal retail cannabis shops that continue to operate in the B.C. Interior.

The Shuswap riding alone has over two dozen such shops operating on First Nations lands, he wrote.

"Sufficient time has passed since legislation controlling cannabis retail sales came into force and the creation of the BC Community Safety Unit. Illegal operators should now be educated and informed," Morris says in the letter.

Continued operation of illegal retail outlets jeopardizes the viability of legitimate operators, he says.

"Of most concern, however, is the health risks associated to illegal cannabis."

Morris questioned if the Community Safety Unit has the resources to address the concentration of illegal retail outlets.

Ballantyne says it's not her role to tell First Nations "how to license or regulate their stores." That's why she's pushing government for change.

She says he's heard from all parts of the province about the issue, which has been exacerbated by recent supply issues due to the highway closures in B.C.

Ballantyne says the collective is hosting an online symposium on Jan. 17 and has invited every MLA in B.C. to take part.

Since launching the campaign, she says the collective has heard nothing from government.

"No information, no meetings ... it's been crickets."