# Pesticide panel

> A pesticide panel screens a cannabis sample for a defined list of pesticide residues, typically by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, reporting each against its action limit.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/pesticide-panel.html
- Also written: pesticide test, pesticide testing, pesticide screen, pesticide residue test, residue panel
- Glossary category: Lab testing · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A pesticide panel is a multi-residue test for a fixed list of insecticides, fungicides, miticides, plant growth regulators and herbicides. Regulated markets publish their own lists, often 60-100 or more compounds, each with an action limit. Labs run the panel by [LC-MS/MS](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lc-ms.md) and [GC-MS](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/gas-chromatography.md)/MS because no single technique covers all the chemistries.

## In practice

A [COA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/coa.md) lists each compound with a result (often [ND](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/non-detect.md)), the [LOD](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lod.md) or LOQ and the limit. A pass means none exceeded its limit, not that none were present. The panel only finds what's on the list: a compound outside the list isn't tested. Contamination can come from direct sprays, drift, contaminated inputs, or reused equipment. Limits and lists differ by jurisdiction; check local rules. For home growers, the safest route is an [IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/ipm.md) approach that avoids residues on flowering plants in the first place.

## Units and formula

µg/g (ppm) or µg/kg (ppb). Many action limits sit at 0.1 µg/g or lower.

## Don't confuse with

- **Residual solvents**: leftover extraction solvents, a separate test.
- **Heavy metals panel**: elements, not organic residues.
- **Organic certification**: a production standard, not a residue test.

## Related terms

[LC-MS](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lc-ms.md), [Gas chromatography](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/gas-chromatography.md), [LOD](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/lod.md), [ND (non-detect)](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/non-detect.md), [COA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/coa.md)

## Read more

- [Sanitation and disease prevention for cannabis grows](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/diseases/sanitation-and-prevention.md)