Hydroponic Cannabis |
| Of real concern to the Hemp Embassy is the
quality of hydroponic cannabis. Genetic engineering and dubious chemical additives may
modify the physical and psychoactive effects of cannabis and we encourage more research to
be done into this.
Indoor, hydroponically grown cannabis now dominates the Australian pot market—probably about 80%, but just a guess. Helicopters and drug eradication units, and grass thieves have driven pot indoors. Every suburb has a hydroponic equipment shop! The problem is there are no regulations. Ridiculous amounts of dangerous chemicals are used by novice growers in the hope of higher yields. Mould and insects are dealt with by household chemical sprays such as Mortein! Fertilizer withholding periods are ignored before harvesting, a month is recommended, but not practical for a 3-month crop! Headaches from
smoking hydro are common, and in some cases migraines result. "Crystal Lung" is
a name coined by the Victorian cannabis culture to describe respiratory tract irritations
caused by smoking hydro. There are other reports about eye and other systemic problems.
Research is needed. We have serious concerns about the long-term health effects of using hydroponic cannabis. We also wonder if the chemicals may contribute to some of the cannabis psychosis cases. In simple language, its obvious to everyone that pot grown outdoors in the earth and the sun is a different product to pot grown in a bath of chemicals under artificial light. Growing your own pot outdoors is cheaper and healthier. Gardening is a positive recreational skill for anyone to learn! |
