Compact and perfect cannabis buds are so pleasing to look at, but they may not be as natural as you think. Those fluffy, rounded and uniform lumps of weed may be the result of added Plant Growth Regulators (also known as PGRs).
We here at PrikPot work hard to ensure our cannabis is organic and free of harmful additives, and while there is still debate about whether PGRs negatively affect cannabis users, we want to take the time to dig deeper into the nature of these chemicals and also open up about our philosophy of “the more natural, the better”.
How PGRs Affect Cannabis Enthusiasts in Thailand
Before we dig beneath the surface of what Plant Growth Regulators are and how they work, let’s touch on what the current outlook is for PGRs in Thailand.
As you’ll learn more about in the later sections below, PGRs are popular among growers looking to make their weed more visually appealing so that customers are more likely to buy some. Using PGRs can make the buds more compact and dense, which combines with Thailand’s humid and hot climate to create ideal conditions for mold to grow.
In essence, you will very likely be consuming mold along with the dangerous chemicals in PGR cannabis. The mold itself is unlikely to cause major health issues but those with weakened immune systems may experience nausea, vomiting and coughing after consuming moldy weed. If bacteria or fungi has had the chance to form, this could lead to much more serious ailments.
The outlook doesn’t get much better when considering cannabis imported from the USA to Thailand either. Buyers should be vigilant and be on the lookout for cannabis grown with chemically-derived PGRs in the imported market as well (details on how to recognize it below), because even sellers in Thailand who make such claims as “California Dispensary Quality” may be sourcing their supply from the USA’s black market. This weed is almost certainly grown using synthetic PGRs, unlike the true dispensaries of Colorado and California, whose local markets hold them to a high standard of health, safety and production transparency.
Be safe and check the sources of your weed, fellow cannabis enthusiasts, and you’ll be able to enjoy your high with peace of mind.
PGRs are Naturally Occurring, BUT…
The chemicals known as Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) are actually naturally occurring (organic) in the plants themselves, controlling the way plants progress from a seed to a fully-formed state. Everything from root growth to the length of its stems are regulated by these chemicals.
Those are naturally-derived PGRs, but it is with chemically-derived PGRs (synthetically created and added to a plant) that associated risks enter the equation.
The use of chemically-derived PGRs has been banned in the USA’s food industry since the late 1980s, when the Environmental Protection Agency found that consumption of PGRs could increase cancer risk by up to 240 times.
Today, the cannabis industry remains a gray area in terms of PGR regulations. Growers use the chemicals to improve a plant’s health and robustness against things like mold. It is also becoming ever more common to use synthetic PGRs to improve the aesthetics of their crops to make them more appealing in the eyes of customers.
This means more better-looking weed from each crop, but arguably at the expense of quality and safety.
How Do PGRs Affect Cannabis and Users?
In short, it depends on which PGRs are used. The chemically-derived PGRs most commonly used by growers are:
- Paclobutrazol : Used to keep buds compact and dense. Negative side effects are less THC or CBD. Smoking weed with this PGR may lead to ingestion of nitrosamines, which is a carcinogenic chemical found in cigarettes. The chemical is also linked to liver damage.
- Chlormequat Chloride : Promotes bud growth by limiting development in other parts of the plant. It is not a carcinogenic but can irritate the eyes, skin and cause damage to one’s organs.
- Daminozide : Also known as Alar, this PGR limits the growth of leaves and stems while increasing the size of buds. This again results in limited production of THC and CBD, not to mention its classification as a probable carcinogen by the EPA. Daminozide is banned in the food industry.
- Uniconazole : This PGR has been studied less than the three above, but its use is nonetheless prohibited in food industries of the EU and some states of the USA. It suppresses stem growth and increases root system size. Similar to Paclobutrazol, it helps to keep cannabis buds compact and dense while potentially increasing yields. Associated risks after consumption include decreased energy levels, lapses in coordination, respiratory difficulty and liver damage.
How to Recognize if PGRs are Used in Your Cannabis
There are many cues that indicate that PGRs have been used in weed. Keep an eye, nose and tongue out for the following:
- A noticeable lack of smell from the weed
- The buds are compact and “smooth” on the outside with excessive red and brown hairs
- A spongy and sometimes wet texture to the buds compared to the drier and more brittle composition of natural buds
- Buds that are noticeable dense, compact (hard to the touch) and heavy when held in the hand
- A chemical taste when you smoke, eat or drink the weed
It is important to note that seeing one of the characteristics above does not always prove the use of PGR. For example, processing the cannabis with a Commercial Wet Trim Machine will make the weed look like it has been grown with PGRs, but none of the other PGR characteristics will be present.
Safe Alternatives to Synthetic PGRs
There are plenty of organic Plant Growth Hormones found naturally out in the wild that can be used in place of their potentially harmful synthetic counterparts. However, growers prefer the chemically-derived PGRs for their increased effectiveness and lower costs, opting for easier attained results at the expense of safety and quality, or perhaps completely unaware of the dangers.
Naturally-occurring PGRs that can help with the healthy and safe cultivation of cannabis include:
- Kelp : The large algae seaweed have PGRs that can be extracted
- Chitosan : Can be found in the chitin shells of shrimp and other crustaceans
- Triacontanol : A fatty alcohol found in beeswax and plant cuticle waxes
PrikPot is All Organic
We have approached our cannabis business with quality, health and safety as equal priorities from the day we opened our doors. Each cannabis strain we put on our shelves has been thoroughly vetted and extensive communication is maintained with growers to ensure that the weed they provide not only meets our standards at the start, but with every batch/crop thereafter.
As you can see from the information above, not only does organic weed remove the risk to one’s health posed by synthetic chemicals, but also promotes a cannabis experience that maximizes the enjoyment of taste and high.
We believe that is what we owe to our customers and look forward to bringing you more stellar all-natural products in the future.
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