BERLIN – Sanity Group, a pioneer in unlocking the health benefits of cannabinoids, recently completed a study examining the safety of cannabinoids available on the black market. As Germany and the world move towards the regularization and legalization of cannabis, 92% of the cannabis consumed in Germany still comes from the black market. This research addresses a crucial question: Are the cannabinoids available on the black market safe?
After decades of scientific neglect of the cannabis plant, emerging research is confirming what was known thousands of years ago: cannabis can positively impact lives. Sanity Group is committed to exploring these benefits and ensuring public safety by understanding the potential risks of illegal cannabis production.
The study involved over 200 volunteers from large and small cities across Germany and Europe, who provided samples of cannabis for analysis. Participants were recruited through Reddit, where they were asked to film the opening of their newly bought cannabis using a time and location stamp, and follow strict guidelines to ensure sample integrity.
After eight months of rigorous analysis, the results are alarming: of over 253 samples tested, only 74 were deemed safe and clean. The remaining samples contained harmful contaminants, including human and animal feces, Covid-19, salmonella, influenza, and dangerous levels of illegal pesticides known to cause cancer and infertility, such as Pymetrozin, Paclobutrazol, Chlorfenapyr, Trifloxystrobin, and even hair spray. These substances are not apt for human consumption and are banned for agricultural use in the EU. Additionally, traces of other drugs such as cocaine, ketamine, crystal meth, and MDMA were found, indicating cross-contamination during packaging.
This study underscores the urgent need for regulated and safe cannabis production. Sanity Group’s findings have resulted in a contamination index across 30 German cities and 20 European metropolises, highlighting the widespread nature of these health risks.
For full data of 30 German Cities Visit: https://avaay.de/studien/study-cannabis-contaminants/.
“These findings are a wake-up call. The contaminants we found in black market cannabis not only compromise the health benefits of cannabinoids but also pose serious health risks to users. This study underscores the urgent need for regulated and safe cannabis distribution,” said Finn A. Hänsel Founder at Sanity Group.
“The fact that over 50% of all samples tested positive for banned pesticides and over 60% contained human feces and bacteria is alarming. This clearly indicates that most black market cannabis is packaged under unsanitary conditions, emphasizing the need for quick action to give consumers access to cannabis produced under regulated safety standards,” stated Hänsel.
“Our research found traces of illegal drugs like cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and methamphetamines in the cannabis samples. This cross-contamination highlights the unsanitary and dangerous practices in the black market, further justifying the need for legalization and regulation,” remarked Hänsel.
“The health risks associated with consuming black market cannabis, from toxic pesticides to harmful bacteria, cannot be overstated. Legalization needs to ensure that consumers have access to safe and clean products,” added Hänsel.
“This study has provided a comprehensive contamination index across major European cities, revealing the widespread nature of these health risks. It’s a crucial step towards raising awareness and prompting action for safer cannabis consumption,” concluded Hänsel.
About Sanity Group
The Sanity Group has set itself the goal of improving people’s quality of life through the sensible use of cannabinoids and the the endocannabinoid system. The focus is on cannabinoid-based medicines and consumer goods. In order to harness the full potential of cannabis, the Sanity Group invests in basic research into the cannabis plant and its active ingredients as well as in specific areas of application. At the same time, the Sanity Group is working on new medical products, innovative dosage forms and technological products and services to further develop the infrastructure. The Sanity Group, which was founded in Berlin in 2018 by Finn Age Hänsel, includes Vayamed and avaay Medical (medical cannabis), Endosane Pharmaceuticals (finished medicinal products), vaay (lifestyle) and Grashaus Projects (pleasure cannabis pilot study in Baselland, Switzerland). The Sanity Group also operates a logistics and processing site for pharmaceutical cannabinoid products near Frankfurt am Main.
