Marijuana is definitely on a completely different level from when I was introduced to it. When I started smoking, you generally got your weed from your friends big brother. That, or someone stole some from their dad’s stash. Dispensaries were not an option.
It’s incredible how much the industry has grown over the years. With growth such as this, you can expect, there is also a growth in controversial decisions.
The way the plant is cultivated seems like it should be something simple; Plant a seed, water, watch it grow.
When it comes to cannabis, it is actually anything but simple. You have to worry about temperature, humidity, UV lighting. There’s multiple factors that fall into play.
Something debated across the industry is the use of PGR’s (plant growth regulators) and pesticides.
This should seem easy. If as humans we prefer to stay away from food that is doused with chemicals, why would we not consider the same disdain for a plant we inhale?
In food and plants, PGR’s are used to increase size, minimize overgrowth of stems, and make the plant expand its yield without elongating and looking stringy. You can determine whether to accelerate or pull back your yield, depending on how you use them. It’s meant to make the product seem more appealing to the customer.
Plants make these hormones on their own, so spraying them with extra to manipulate your product is unnecessary.
I’m sure some of you are thinking, “more buds, more weed!” However, what are the side effects these additives have on our systems once we inhale them?
The people working with the chemicals directly are at the highest amount of risk. Contact can cause rash, headache, nausea/vomiting, and even heart palpitations. These are just some of the symptoms described by workers who are exposed to the chemicals regularly. There have also been studies that link regular ingestion of LEGAL pesticides, to Parkinson’s disease.
The California cannabis industry was sparked after a scare in the 1970s when they doused gallons of chemicals on Mexico pot farms. The product from these farms was then being shipped to the US. When the people learned of this, they decided to take growing into their own hands.
After taking steps to make marijuana natural again, why are we falling back to the use of toxic chemicals?
We know the effects of ingestion, as well as physical contact. Extensive research on what happens to us when we ignite and inhale these chemicals has not been done. We’re essentially Guinea pigs in learning the long term effects of these toxins.
The only way to know that we are ingesting healthy cannabis is to seek out organic farmers. We should, as a community, speak out about the use of chemicals in OUR product. We are the consumer.
If a plant that has pesticides and growth regulators in it, is then taken and converted into an edible, all those compounds follow the process. You are now ingesting an unhealthy range of pesticides. What’s even more alarming, is we don’t know the full effects this has on us!
For hundreds of years, farming was done without the use of pesticides or growth hormones. All of these things were meant to be done naturally. Bigger is NOT always better. Patience in your crops, will bring a much more satisfying pull. Not to mention healthier. There are alternatives. Obviously its quicker and easier to use a chemical to get the job done, but at what cost?
We need to stop making excuses for why this is still being done in this industry. We deserve clean, organic product. The future of cannabis is in our hands. Now is the time to improve it where we can.
Onehighmom 