As legal restrictions on cannabis continue to loosen, more and more Americans are enjoying recreational use of marijuana. But if you want to make sure you’re safe while partaking, it’s important to understand some of the risks, especially when buying cannabis on the street. Sprayed weed is one such danger, and smoking contaminated marijuana can cause serious health complications. Let’s dive into sprayed weed in this Doobie blog.
What is Sprayed Weed?
Sprayed weed refers to marijuana that’s been adulterated with some kind of foreign substance. But it’s important to distinguish between this and laced weed.
Laced weed is marijuana that’s been mixed with another kind of narcotic or drug for the purpose of altering the high users get. Sprayed weed is treated with foreign substances to enhance the appearance of the marijuana, usually to make it sell for a higher price or appear more attractive to buyers.
What Types of Substances Are Used?
Unscrupulous dealers can use any number of substances, often for different purposes. Some commonly used substances include:
- Chemicals or pesticides, which can improve the outward appearance of the weed
- Powdered glass or grit, which can artificially make the weed heavier and give it a more attractive crystalline appearance
- Adhesives or sugar water, which make the buds heavier and appear stickier
- Fragrances or synthetic terpenes, which alter the smell or taste of the weed
While these types of substances serve different purposes, the general goal is to artificially make the product seem more valuable, increasing profit at the expense of your health. And make no mistake: Inhaling all of these substances carries health risks, especially over time.
What Are the Health Consequences of Smoking Sprayed Weed?
No matter what type of foreign substance is applied to the marijuana, it poses a risk to you if you smoke it. But the potential health effects vary by substance.
Chemicals and pesticides can cause both short-term and long-term effects. In the short term, they can lead to nausea and an irritated respiratory system. But over time, smoking weed laced with these substances can lead to lung, liver and kidney damage and even cancer.
Powdered glass or grit is a very serious health risk. When inhaling it, your lungs will suffer micro-abrasions, which can lead to infections and cause permanent respiratory irritation.
Sugar water and adhesives often lead to violent coughing fits when smoked, and can eventually damage the lungs. And fragrances can often trigger allergic reactions and cause lung damage as well.
How to Tell If Weed is Sprayed
Especially if you’re buying marijuana from unlicensed dealers, it’s critical to know how to spot fake weed and also recognize signs of contaminated cannabis. Fortunately, there are a number of signs you can pick up on if you’re alert and knowledgeable.
Your three best senses for this are your sight, touch and smell. The first thing to do is look closely at the marijuana. Does it seem too shiny, or a strange color? Can you see any foreign substances mixed in with the weed? Is there any kind of strange residue in the bag or container?
Next, feel the marijuana. Does it seem too sticky, or do you feel any unusual grit or an abrasive sensation? Finally, smell the marijuana. Natural weed should have a powerful, earthy smell. If it smells like chemicals, has a strong perfume-like fragrance or has very little smell at all, this may indicate it’s been laced.
When buying cannabis from a street source, always be wary if the seller doesn’t want you to inspect the product closely. Oftentimes, this in itself can be a giveaway that the dealer is selling an adulterated product.
Marijuana use has many supposed benefits for those seeking a healthy lifestyle, but it’s important that you protect yourself and take steps to ensure safe cannabis consumption. Being alert to the risk of sprayed weed and knowing how to identify it can save you from a host of negative health effects, ensuring that you continue to smoke safely over the years.
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