Global impact of trace non-essential heavy metal contaminants in industrial cannabis bioeconomy

Abstract

The intrinsic signatures of Cannabis species to bioaccumulate non-essential harmful heavy metals (HMs) such as As, Pb, Cr, and Hg are determined by their high tolerance, weedy propensities, phenotypic plasticity attributes, and pedoclimatic stress adaptation in a biota. This unstructured meta-analysis study provides details of cannabis involvement in HMs phytoremediation, new insights into HMs transportation and distribution, homeostasis, and health implications of HMs contaminated product. A blueprint of agronomic strategies to alleviate HMs uptake by cannabis is proposed. We show revamping cannabis global production necessitates a rethinking of agronomic best practices and post-harvest technologies to remove metal contaminants.

Keywords:

• Arbuscular mycorrhizae
• cannabidiol
• hemp
• heavy metals
• radioactive cannabis

Acknowledgements

We thank the different cannabis growers from Washington State, the USA for providing valuable insights into the best agronomic practices for establishing cannabis species.

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.