Theoretically, with weed being a natural plant, you typically don’t think about what it could potentially be contaminated with. Unfortunately, coming across contaminated marijuana does happen — and you should know how to be prepared just in case you come across it yourself.
That’s exactly why we’re teaching you how to test if weed is contaminated right at home. You’ll know what to look for, how to test for it, and what your next steps should be.
What Can Weed Be Contaminated With?
Just like any crop, weed can unfortunately be contaminated with a variety of substances ranging from pesticides to heavy metals and even mold. Let’s talk about these contaminants in more detail.
One of the most common contaminants you may come across in your weed is pesticides. This is because many commercial growers use pesticides and fungicides to protect their crops from insects and mold — however, some of these chemicals can leave behind harmful residues.
Certain pesticides can even be particularly dangerous when cannabis is smoked or vaporized, as they produce toxic byproducts when heated.
Heavy metals, on the other hand, can come from the soil that the cannabis plant is growing in. These metals, such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, can accumulate in the plant and eventually make their way into the final product.
Because growers cultivate marijuana plants in diverse environments, the risk of contamination depends largely on the quality of the soil and water used during cultivation.
Cultivators (and consumers) also need to keep an eye out for other contaminants like mold, mildew, and solvent residue. All of these pollutants can severely impact the safety and purity of your marijuana.
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Contaminated Weed Signs
You know that your weed can be contaminated, but what does that look like? How can you tell if you’ve grown or purchased marijuana buds that you shouldn’t consume?
Some common signs that you have contaminated cannabis include the following:
Unusual Colors: White, gray, or black spots may indicate mold, while a metallic sheen could suggest pesticide residue.
Powdery or Web-Like Coating: Could be mold or mildew rather than trichomes.
Wet or Sticky Texture: Excess moisture can promote mold growth.
Odd-Looking Crystals: If the “kief” looks more like sugar or dust, it may be pesticide residue or additives.
Chemical or Harsh Smell: A strong chemical odor may suggest pesticide or solvent contamination.
Musty or Mildew-Like Smell: May be a sign of mold or bacterial growth.
Unusual Sweetness: Some low-quality cannabis may be sprayed with artificial terpenes or sugar to improve its appearance.
There are other various signs of contaminated weed that, unfortunately, don’t appear until you begin to smoke the buds. This includes reactions to being lit, oily ash, and vomiting.
How to Test if Weed is Contaminated: At Home
We know: all of this sounds a bit scary. And it is! Thankfully, it’s not super common to buy regulated marijuana from a dispensary and have it contaminated with heavy metals or pesticides.
However, it is ideal to be prepared. If you think there’s a chance that you have contaminated cannabis on your hands, there are several ways you can find out.
Here’s how to test if weed is contaminated right at home.
Visual Test
One of the first things you should do with your weed no matter what is conduct a visual inspection. When doing this, you’re looking for any strange colors, excess moisture or stickiness, or dusty, powdery mildew.
Any of these visual signs point towards contaminated weed — or, low-quality bud that you shouldn’t smoke at the very least.
Smell Test
Along with checking visually, your nose is a great indicator of good or bad weed.
Take a whiff of the strains you have and see if they have any of the following qualities, as these are signs of contaminated weed:
Musty or Mildew-Like Smell – A damp, basement-like odor may indicate mold or bacterial growth.
Chemical or Synthetic Odor – A sharp, ammonia-like, fuel-like, or artificially sweet scent could mean the presence of pesticides, synthetic terpenes, or solvent residue.
Harsh or Plastic-Like Scent When Burned – If your weed gives off an acrid, chemical-heavy smell when smoked, it may be contaminated with chemicals or improperly flushed nutrients.
Crackle Test
Plain and simple, if your weed makes popping or cracking noises when you light it, there’s a good chance it’s contaminated.
These noises indicate excess moisture, pesticides, or residual chemicals that weren’t properly flushed out. Properly cured cannabis should burn evenly and smoothly.
If the smoke is overly harsh, it may indicate contaminants like mold, heavy metals, or synthetic additives.
However, don’t panic over a single pop every once in a while: in this situation, there’s a good chance you just lit a seed by accident.
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Water Test
Bear with us on this one. The water test is a bit unconventional, but it can be a great way to see the purity of your marijuana.
Here’s what you will do:
Fill a Glass of Water – Drop a small piece of cannabis into a clear glass of water.
Observe How It Reacts:
If the bud sinks quickly, it’s likely adulterated marijuana and may contain heavy metals or excess moisture.
If it floats but leaves behind an oily residue, this could indicate synthetic additives or improperly flushed chemicals.
If the water becomes cloudy or discolored, it may contain contaminants like pesticides, fertilizers, or mold.
Light Test (If Applicable)
Finally, if you have a flashlight or UV light on hand, you can use these to see the purity of your buds, as well.
You’ll start by holding the cannabis under a bright white light or a UV (black) light in a dark room. Here, you want to look for shimmering or unnatural reflections. Natural, healthy cannabis buds should appear resinous but not excessively shiny.
If you notice an unnatural glittery or crystalline appearance, it may be coated with pesticides, synthetic cannabinoids, or other foreign substances.
Also, mold and mildew can sometimes be hard to spot with the naked eye, but under bright or UV light, white webbing or fuzz may become more visible.
Finally, check for any powdery or dusty residue by shaking or gently tapping the bud under the light. If it releases a cloud of fine dust, there could be mold spores or pesticide residue — neither of which you want to consume.
What To Do if You Think Your Weed is Contaminated
In the unfortunate circumstance that you believe your weed is contaminated, it’s important to take the next steps to ensure your safety — and the safety of others.
First and foremost, stop consuming it immediately. As we established, smoking contaminated marijuana can pose health risks.
After this, you need to contact the dispensary where you bought the weed. Contact management and ask if there have been any recalls or complaints about the batch. Some states require dispensaries to track products and issue recalls when contamination weed is detected.
On the other hand, if you purchase from an unregulated source, there’s no quality control or cannabis testing. This means contamination is more likely. That’s why we highly urge you to get your medical marijuana card with Elevate and avoid these dangerous retailers.
If you did buy your weed legally, report any concerns to your state’s regulatory agency or local dispensary. Consumer complaints can lead to product recalls and prevent others from being exposed to harmful contaminants in the cannabis industry. After reporting it, dispose of the product.
Finally, in the event that you consumed this cannabis before realizing it was bad, make sure to keep a close eye out for any symptoms.
If you experience severe coughing, nausea, dizziness, headaches, or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention — especially if you have a compromised immune system or pre-existing respiratory conditions.
The Benefits of Buying Cannabis at Regulated Dispensaries
Of course, having a medical card means getting access to products of all types. But, it also means that the products you buy have undergone some of the most rigorous analytical testing in the cannabis industry.
Professional growers take the time to send their cannabis samples over to analysts who can conduct contamination testing to ensure that the product doesn’t contain pesticides or other substances that pose health risks.
After the researchers test the cannabis flowers, they provide growers with comprehensive reports marking the presence of microbial or residual solvents.
Then, the company will upload these results and put a QR code on the product label. You can scan this to view the lab test results firsthand — giving you the ultimate peace of mind.
Get All-Natural, Clean Cannabis With Your MMJ Card
No matter what, the best way for you to constantly experience high-quality, highly regulated cannabis products is with a medical marijuana card.
Medical patients enjoy the best weed on the market — and at the lowest prices, too. Compared to recreational consumers, MMJ patients pay around 10-20% less on purchases because they are exempt from most marijuana taxes.
Plus, you get medical-only discounts just for showing your card.
Feel as secure as possible with your marijuana consumption. Book an online appointment using the button below and get approved over the phone or computer in minutes.
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