Organic Weed vs. Moldy Weed: What Am I Really Smoking?

When buying top-shelf flower, consumers are not inspecting cannabis buds for signs of aging, or moldy weed right away for a first time high. Instead, people are expecting premium quality, organic marijuana on a silver plate.

Companies, or experienced home-growers, expect to see top-quality results of organic marijuana with implementation of proper cultivation techniques. Consequently, users can anticipate their bud to have an indefinite shelf-life (if properly cared for, that is).

Yet, consumers should still be cautious about what they have stashed in their jars. Just like making sure a package of blueberries doesn’t have mold on it, it is essential to examine your bud before ignition. Spots of mold or signs of heavy metal poisoning are just a couple of factors that indicate ‘bad’ or ‘old’ cannabis. In all, users should get in the habit of examining buds to know what they are really smoking, because it might just ruin the high.

My Weed Has Mold?!

Today, weed contamination is occurring quite frequently within the cannabis market. As the cannabis market continues to expand, it is becoming less uncommon to find traces of aged cannabis. In any case, cannabis suppliers are rushing production activities to meet demand, drawing more opportunities for plant contamination in the process. However, most people don’t notice it. Spotting out signs of the contamination may be scary, but it is in the user’s favor to detect areas of moldy weed before smoking it.

The next big question is ‘how to spot moldy weed’. As previously mentioned, it is crucial to make a habit of inspecting your weed before smoking it. After all, the contaminated marijuana may be ineffective, or merely harmful after lighting up. 

There are several different techniques consumers can use to detect lousy weed, the first one being aromatic cues. Terpenes are chemical compounds found in the essential oils of plants giving off their unique smell. Whether it be the citrusy scent of an orange or the distinct aroma of a pine tree, terpenes are excellent indicators of determining the plants’ overall health.

So, next time, be sure to take a good whiff of your flower before smoking it. Consumers who experience a beautifully fresh scent of cannabis terpenes are typically given the green light. Be that as it may, it is still essential to be on the lookout for any unusual or unnatural smells. For example, cannabis plants may give off an abnormal aroma from being stored improperly, or exposed to incorrect pesticide use. 

Spotting Mold

One of the most obvious ways consumers can determine if they have moldy weed is just by looking at it. Visual cues of mold on marijuana is pretty promising of contamination. Early signs of developing mold include discoloration, opaque fuzz, and/or small white specks on the surface of the plant. If you notice any of these indications on your bud, it is likely a good idea to toss it. 

Tactile, or physical, cues are another practical way users can determine whether or not their cannabis is moldy. In some cases, aromatic and visual signs becoming less apparent might indicate an intensification of tactile cues; thereby displaying areas of contamination. Consumers can discover if they are holding onto moldy weed by physically touching and pulling apart the nugs.

A few indications of ’bad’ cannabis include moisture content, compression levels, and measurements of weakness. Next time you’re about to smoke, try holding the cannabis bud in your hand. Evaluate the buds’ physical characteristics and structure to ensure you are giving yourself the best experience possible. 

Symptoms to contaminated, or moldy, weed varies from person to person. Generally speaking, contaminated elements tend to affect those with weaker immune systems much more aggressively. For example, cancer patients who use medicinal marijuana should be much more careful and double-check there are no signs of mold present.

On the other hand, a typical recreational user who smokes moldy weed can undergo chest pain. After igniting the contaminated bud, toxins within the mold begin to flood into the users’ lungs. Consumers may feel a bit of discomfort in their chest due to irritation of the lungs from the toxins. Other indicators of mold being present in your weed include symptoms of allergies like sneezing and itchy or watery eyes. 

Organic VS Non-Organic Weed

Why Does it Matter?

People are beginning to lead a more health-conscious way of living. In addition, they are focusing more on where their food is sourcing from. For instance, consumers have the option to either buy organic or non-organic foods at their local grocery store. Organic agriculture is guided by strict standards of the government, requiring food production without any toxins, pesticides, or other unnatural chemicals. The same practice of organic agriculture applies within the cannabis industry. Finding small traces and signs of moldy weed is never comforting. However, there is one thing consumers can do to lessen the likelihood of finding contaminated cannabis in their homes – buy organic cannabis. 

Some consumers may disregard the benefits of organic cannabis. Yet, it is essential to realize how non-organic cannabis can affect your body. Throughout the cultivation process, non-organic plants are using significant amounts of toxins and pesticides. In most cases, production facilities are taking advantage of their resources (i.e., pesticides) to yield maximum growth results. Unfortunately, these sites are not considering the environmental and health consequences they are providing to their consumers. Non-organic cannabis has reports of initiating symptoms like irritation in the throat and lungs, along with headaches and shortness of breath. 

Heavy Metal Poisoning

All cannabis consumers should be educated on the benefits of organically grown cannabis plants. Additionally, users should be conscious of the influence that heavy metal poisoning has on an individual’s health. According to OMICS International, the danger of marijuana consumption includes the presence of heavy metals (HM) and their duplicitous roles in cytotoxicity. Further, OMICS International states the apoptotic cascade of cytotoxic events initiated by heavy metals is linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as hearing loss related to brain stem and temporal lobe neurotoxicity.

How To avoid Toxic Buds

Check the Lab Test Results

At this point, you may be wondering how individuals, like yourself, can steer away from non-organic cannabis plants. One action consumers can take to avoid toxic buds is by checking the lab test results on the packaging. State cannabis regulation is continuously developing as the industry becomes larger. With that said, all cannabis brands must be compliant and test their strains. Showcasing test results to the people, including potency, pesticide, and terpene levels is critical. Predictably, black market cannabis is not tested nor has the proper resources to produce organic weed. Without test results, users don’t know what they are consuming. At the end of the day, it is much safer for individuals to buy lab-verified tested cannabis strains.

Grow your own Greens

Consumers should stick to smoking lab-tested cannabis to ensure an excellent high while avoiding toxic buds. Smoking lab-tested cannabis is not the only option on the market, however, to puff on organic weed. In reality, the only way to honestly know what is in your marijuana is by growing your own bud. Furthermore, at-home growing machines are exploding in popularity. Consumers are now able to grow their own cannabis in their home freely. Thanks to new advanced technologies in the cannabis market, like at-home growing chambers, users can feel comfortable smoking their personal high-quality, pesticide-free cannabis.