Analysis of the Massachusetts Cannabis Pesticides List Using the SCIEX QTRAP® 6500+ System

The evolving landscape of cannabis legalization in the United States demands highly robust and sensitive analytical methods. Currently, pesticide levels are regulated by the individual states and thus the analyte scope and action levels are unique to each state. The State of Massachusetts regulates 9 pesticides (Bifenazate, Bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin, Etoxazole, Imazalil, Imidacloprid, Myclobutanil, Spiromesifen, Trifloxystrobin) at 10 ppb in flower, amongst the lowest in the United States. These strict action levels necessitate a highly sensitive mass spectrometer, such as the SCIEX 6500+ QTRAP system.