Bacteria and pesticides found in cannabis sold in Dutch coffee shops ‘Baseline’ contamination study to inform Netherlands trial in which shops will sell drug produced by licensed growers.
Lead, pesticides and potentially harmful bacteria were among the contaminants found during an investigation into cannabis sold in semi-legal “coffee shops” in the Netherlands.
Although tourists flock to the Netherlands under the impression that cannabis is fully legal, since 1976 a tolerance policy has simply meant that the sale of hash and marijuana is permitted in regulated “coffee shops”.
It will be used to inform a trial starting in April in which shops in 10 municipalities will sell cannabis that is produced by licensed growers and subject to limits on contaminants.
One hashish sample contained almost six times the amount of lead (28.5mg/kg) that will be allowed in the cannabis sold during the trial.
