DENVER — Governor John Hickenlooper issued an executive order that says marijuana grown with dangerous chemicals will be removed from stores and destroyed. That happened Thursday.

It’s the first time the Governor has addressed the issue since concern over marijuana pesticides started circulating.

The order raises an alarm. “When a pesticide is applied to a crop in a manner that is inconsistent with the pesticide’s label, and the crop is contaminated by that pesticide, it constitutes a threat to the public safety,” the order reads.

It goes on to say agencies should use all enforcement and investigative authority to keep marijuana safe, “including, but not limited to, placing contaminated marijuana on administrative hold and destroying contaminated marijuana pursuant to existing law.”

Rules are being worked on to strictly limit the pesticides that can be used on marijuana. Pesticides used in production of tobacco would be among those approved for use.