In Search of a Multiresidue Method for Pesticides Control in Hemp, Psychoactive and Recreational Cannabis Produced in Uruguay

ABSTRACT In recent years, some countries, including Uruguay, have legalized the use of medicinal and recreational cannabis. This has produced an increase in the production and consumption of cannabis and derived products, hence the need to ensure the quality and safety of this type of resource. In this context, the aim of this work was to develop and validate a method for pesticide residues determination in cannabis flowers to achieve adequate quality control and safety of these products. The scope of pesticides was selected according to the formulations allowed in these crops in Uruguay and based on the list of the European Pharmacopeia because Europe is the main export destination. Determinations were carried out by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Sample preparation was optimized by modifying a citrate QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) protocol. The developed method showed good performance for the target analytes in terms of recoveries, precision, limits of quantification, and matrix effect. This tool is expected to expand the analytical capacity, with application and impact at the level of research in a topic in continuous growth. It will also be of great help to producers who will have the necessary information to be able to take corrective measures in case of finding levels above the maximum permitted limits, either in crops or by-products. The method was applied to samples of hemp and psychoactive cannabis (not recreational), revealing the presence of pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, diazinon, fipronil, and tebuconazole. In this regard, the establishment of maximum residues limits for contaminants in cannabis in Uruguay seems to be an urgent necessity, especially for those pesticides registered for its use and commercialization, although its use is not destined for cannabis crops.