Marijuana Is Not Safe to Smoke, Researchers Say

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CaseyJones

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http://www.laweekly.com/news/marijuana-is-not-safe-to-smoke-researchers-say-7927826

California researchers who tested marijuana sold in Northern California found multiple bacterial and fungal pathogens that can cause serious infections. The study was published this month in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection.

The mold and bacteria was so widespread and potentially dangerous that the UC Davis academics concluded that they cannot recommend smoking raw or dried weed. "We cannot recommend inhaling it," says George Thompson III, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the university who helped conduct the cannabis research.

The findings might also apply to indoor, hydroponic marijuana popular at Southern California collectives, according to Thompson. Using pot in baked goods such as brownies might be "theoretically" safer because the products could be heated enough to kill bacteria and fungus, he says.

Asked if concentrates such as wax, honey oil, dabs and shatter would be safe because heat is involved in the production process of "butane extraction," Thompson says he isn't sure.

The key finding of the research is that patients with weak immune systems, such as those with HIV or cancer, should avoid smoking raw and dried pot. Though Thompson told the Sacramento Bee that “for the vast majority of cannabis users, this is not of great concern,” he stresses that there really isn't a safe way to smoke marijuana buds, even for those who are healthy.

He says it's possible that filters used with tobacco cigarettes could help with marijuana: Tobacco and all natural plant products have these kinds of bacterial and fungal issues. Irradiated marijuana, though unappealing, could also be an answer, he adds.

Researchers tested weed samples from Northern California dispensaries and found they turned up positive for the fungi Cryptococcus, Mucor and Aspergillus, and for the bacteria E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. The academics said these can lead to serious and lethal illness, noting that smoking the mold and bacteria can embed them directly where they can do the most damage — the lungs.

"Infection with the pathogens we found in medical marijuana could lead to serious illness and even death," Joseph Tuscano, a professor of internal medicine at UC Davis, said in a statement. "Inhaling marijuana in any form provides a direct portal of entry deep into the lungs where infection can easily take hold."

The state Department of Public Health is working on guidelines for marijuana testing with the goal that both medical and recreational pot sold next year at permitted dispensaries would be labeled as safe. It's not clear how this research will impact those guidelines. Thompson says he has reached out to state officials to share his findings.
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lol.. I haven't had a cough in like 14 years, and I have been smoking herb every day for the last 16+ years. I used to get coughs more often before I started toking. My lungs are in the best shape of my life.

Asked if concentrates such as wax, honey oil, dabs and shatter would be safe because heat is involved in the production process of "butane extraction," Thompson says he isn't sure.
Click to expand...

The answer is "it depends on if there are aflatoxins in the type of mold that is present".

Some "scientist", doesn't know shit about herb or concentrates.
 
Last edited:
PierzStyx said:
This really isn't surprising. The conditions most people grow pot in are prime conditions for the growth of mold.
Click to expand...

Most herb gets moldy during the drying or curing stage. Good air flow, temps in the mid to upper 70s and humidity of around 50% is about optimal for a good dry which takes about 7+ days. Then you want to cure it in glass jars for 2-3 weeks, opening the jars once a day and checking the moisture levels, then adjusting how often you open the jar and for how long based on the moisture. You want the moisture to leave the buds slowly, and allow the moisture from the stems to dry through everything evenly and you will get a nice cure. Higher quality buds with more oils will cure more nicely.

Herb can get moldy during the growing stage, I'm not sure what you mean by the conditions most people grow herb in are prime for the growth of mold..

Like zippy says, if you take it to the parts per trillion, you can find anything in everything.. but most high quality herb does not have any mold to speak of.

edit: more pro-tips.. Trim the fan leaves right at harvest and juice them in a masticating juicer. Dry the plants whole, hanging upside down with lots of room and airflow. Trim off and manicure the buds, and then transfer to glass jars for the cure. Use the manicure trim to make hash extracts.

Outdoor buds especially are prone to botrytis mold, which is brown. Often it is caused by moist trails left by caterpillars. Tenting or moving to a greenhouse late in the growing season can help reduce botrytis. It should be removed completely if seen, and avoid contaminating any other parts of the plant, and separating potentially contaminated buds would be recommended as it can transfer during the drying and curing stages.
 
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Study was sponsored in party by Law Enforcement Against Pot Smokers

Why you ask would this group have something against Pot Smokers? Easy, pot smokers are the "low hanging fruit" that allows them to keep their fucking jobs.
 
Seems to me that cannabis is completely safe to smoke, it is breathing in mold and bacteria that is bad for you.
The burning of cannabis exposes it to heat high enough to kill any bacteria, it is over 400 degrees.
So burn flowers hot and use a water pipe if you are worried..
This could be a problem if you were vaping flower, as that only heats to 175.

That said, there should be quality control on the amount of mold/bacteria found in the cannabis that is sold at stores.
The conditions that some of these mass grows are improperly cured in an environment ripe for mold production.
Wet bud weighs more, and it is being rushed to market improperly cured, because it means more profits..
Will this testing drive up the price and crush out the little guys, you bet it will.
But when you buy something from a store you expect a certain level of quality control, don't you?

Want mold free flowers? Grow your own indoors, and cure it in a properly controlled 60% humidity environment.
 
Last edited:
LibertyRevolution said:
Seems to me that cannabis is completely safe to smoke, it is breathing in mold and bacteria that is bad for you.
The burning of cannabis exposes it to heat high enough to kill any bacteria, it is over 400 degrees..
This could be a problem if you were vaping flower, as that only heats to 175.

That said, there should be quality control on the amount of mold/bacteria found in the cannabis that is sold at stores.
The conditions that some of these mass grows that are being rushed to market are improperly cured in is an environment ripe for mold production.
Will this testing drive up the price and crush out the little, you bet it will, but when you buy something from a store you expect a certain level of quality control.

Want mold free flowers? Grow your own indoors, and cure it a properly in a 60% humidity environment.
Click to expand...

https://www.leafly.com/news/industry/leaflys-state-by-state-guide-to-cannabis-testing-regulations
 
LibertyRevolution said:
Seems to me that cannabis is completely safe to smoke, it is breathing in mold and bacteria that is bad for you.
The burning of cannabis exposes it to heat high enough to kill any bacteria, it is over 400 degrees.
So burn flowers hot and use a water pipe if you are worried..
This could be a problem if you were vaping flower, as that only heats to 175.

That said, there should be quality control on the amount of mold/bacteria found in the cannabis that is sold at stores.
The conditions that some of these mass grows are improperly cured in an environment ripe for mold production.
Wet bud weighs more, and it is being rushed to market improperly cured, because it means more profits..
Will this testing drive up the price and crush out the little guys, you bet it will.
But when you buy something from a store you expect a certain level of quality control, don't you?

Want mold free flowers? Grow your own indoors, and cure it in a properly controlled 60% humidity environment.
Click to expand...

Wasn't there a study released a year or two ago re: the antifungal and antibacterial properties of cannabis ?

Really seems that it is watching out for us,

unlike the FDA, DEA, USDA, MSM, and every other goddamn piece of shit organization trying to control free access to one of natures true miracles
 
if it's the right kind of mold, they could probably sell it for more.

vD1nJ4Z.gif
 
In the 70's Ralph Nader and his "safety" BS was the laughing stock of the country..

Now there's OSHA, and 114 different kinds of safety police who are all looking out for your best interests..

Maybe it's time to start stacking 'em up like cordwood..
 
dannno said:
Most herb gets moldy during the drying or curing stage. Good air flow, temps in the mid to upper 70s and humidity of around 50% is about optimal for a good dry which takes about 7+ days. Then you want to cure it in glass jars for 2-3 weeks, opening the jars once a day and checking the moisture levels, then adjusting how often you open the jar and for how long based on the moisture. You want the moisture to leave the buds slowly, and allow the moisture from the stems to dry through everything evenly and you will get a nice cure. Higher quality buds with more oils will cure more nicely.

Herb can get moldy during the growing stage, I'm not sure what you mean by the conditions most people grow herb in are prime for the growth of mold..

Like zippy says, if you take it to the parts per trillion, you can find anything in everything.. but most high quality herb does not have any mold to speak of.

edit: more pro-tips.. Trim the fan leaves right at harvest and juice them in a masticating juicer. Dry the plants whole, hanging upside down with lots of room and airflow. Trim off and manicure the buds, and then transfer to glass jars for the cure. Use the manicure trim to make hash extracts.

Outdoor buds especially are prone to botrytis mold, which is brown. Often it is caused by moist trails left by caterpillars. Tenting or moving to a greenhouse late in the growing season can help reduce botrytis. It should be removed completely if seen, and avoid contaminating any other parts of the plant, and separating potentially contaminated buds would be recommended as it can transfer during the drying and curing stages.
Click to expand...

When I save herbs in a jar I add silica gel desiccants for long term storage after drying.
 
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