Even if the measure the wealthiest cannabis companies in Washington are defending would bring about lots of benefits, smallholders would automatically be out of the game. The estimate cost of the pesticide testing is $300 per test, quite a high amount that small growers would have to fund out of their pockets. This would certainly worsen the already harsh situation these small growers are going through as a result of the drop in cannabis prices. The legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington has led to the market's oversaturation and, in turn, to a sharp decline in price.
Mindful regulation
When a product reaches the end user must have gone through several health controls to make sure it doesn't pose any threat to their health. If this ordinance finally comes into force, the government should consider alternative measures to protect smallholders. Otherwise, they'd have to somehow lower production costs, one of those ways being the reduction of the strains available. Many small growers agree to the increase of health controls but they don't believe it's theirs to bear the costs. One more time, the founders of the cannabis movement in the States, those small growers who have been the driving force behind the legalization wave, would end up entirely out of the game. If the measure is approved, Washington would join the list of States, including Oregon or California, where pesticide testing of cannabis crops is compulsory even for recreational use. It's true, though, that it would improve confidence in the product, particularly bearing in mind that currently only mycotoxin, microorganism (fungi, mold and bacteria) and potency (THC/CBD levels) controls are mandatory in this State. The solution to this problem is not to ignore health controls for this should be a basic requirement for any product launched into the market. What is very important is for the government to take into account the needs of smallholders because it's thanks to their passion and love that the USA has become a global reference of high quality. The time has come to think of a regulation that fits each business perfectly. Otherwise, the quality and variety would suffer significantly. What sort of future do we want for the cannabis industry?