"Resilient Washington Marijuana Farms Bounce Back from Pesticide Concerns"
Several marijuana farms in Washington state are resuming operations after being halted due to concerns over pesticide contamination. The farms, located on former fruit orchards where DDT was heavily applied and remains in the soil, were found to have unacceptable levels of chemicals related to the banned synthetic pesticide. Although the affected growers did not use the pesticide themselves, they are taking steps to mitigate the residual pesticide and rebuild their brands with state financial support. Pesticide contamination in cannabis is a concern for regulators and consumers in legal pot states, as the plant is often smoked or concentrated, intensifying pesticide levels. Washington state lawmakers have allocated funds to help growers address soil contamination and study the absorption of toxins by marijuana plants.