Fungal Potential in Hemp Poses Health Risks, Concludes Report
The report highlights the urgent need for regulation in the hemp industry
By Tylla Lima with information from Hemp Today
The fungi in question pose a series of threats to public health, as revealed by a recent study conducted by experts from the United States and Canada. The study points to the presence of mycotoxins in hemp and marijuana plants, highlighting concerns about their potential negative impacts on human health.
"Hemp and cannabis are new crops and we are in the early stages of understanding their relationships with their pathogens," emphasizes Kimberly Gwinn, a professor at the University of Tennessee and co-author of the report. The research highlighted significant gaps in understanding the risks associated with cannabis cultivation, as historical attention has focused on substance abuse and medicinal uses.
Despite the legalization of hemp and more flexible laws for cannabis in many states, there is a clear lack of in-depth studies on potential health risks in the cultivation system. The report, published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, highlights the urgent need to explore and address issues related to mycotoxins.
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The authors, led by Kimberly Gwinn, a professor of entomology and plant pathology at UT, along with Maxwell Leung and Ariell Stephens from Arizona State University, and Zamir Punja from Simon Fraser University in Canada, conducted a comprehensive review of current literature on mycotoxins in hemp and cannabis products. They identified critical gaps in research on mycotoxin contamination potential and highlighted developments based on research in other cultivation systems.
A significant finding of the study is the lack of regulatory standards for fungi and mycotoxins in cannabis and hemp, despite being common contaminants in other agricultural crops. The researchers noted that the methodologies used for commercial food and pharmaceutical products have not yet been standardized for these growing industries.
The article specifically analyzes fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Mucor, which can infect plants and produce mycotoxins. Additionally, we emphasize that environmental factors, such as local cultivation (indoors or outdoors, in soil or soilless), can influence the types of contaminants and resulting health risks.
A critical point highlighted by the researchers is the increased risk when smoking cannabis, as some fungi can cause infections in lung and skin tissues, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The study reveals that cancer patients, transplant recipients, and individuals with HIV and type 1 diabetes are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, emphasizing the importance of strict safety measures.
Facing the unique challenge of assessing and managing the risk of these contaminants to human health, the researchers propose the implementation of a two-tier system that distinguishes between medical and recreational products. They conclude by highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses production and human safety issues in the rapidly growing cannabis and hemp industry.