Short Wave

Why Legal Weed Isn’t Always Safe

20 snips
Oct 14, 2025
Teresa Carr, an independent health and science journalist, shares her eye-opening investigation into the safety of legal cannabis. She discusses how state regulations vary dramatically due to the absence of federal oversight. Carr reveals shocking findings of contaminants, like mold and pesticides, in cannabis products. She highlights the dangerous incentives that can lead growers to falsify testing results. Finally, she provides valuable tips for consumers on how to safely navigate the cannabis market.
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ANECDOTE

Patient Turned To Cannabis For Pain

  • Summer Parker used cannabis to replace opioids and manage chronic pain from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
  • After switching brands when she and her partner got sick, their symptoms dissipated, suggesting contaminated product was likely involved.
INSIGHT

No Federal Guardrails, Many State Systems

  • Federal illegality of cannabis forces states to build independent regulatory systems without a central FDA-like authority.
  • This patchwork leads to inconsistent testing standards and variable consumer protection across states.
ANECDOTE

Lab Manager Found Contaminated Joints

  • Jeffrey Havard tested 20 off-the-shelf marijuana joints and found widespread contamination.
  • He detected mold in most samples, two with salmonella, and many overstated THC levels.
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