I don’t smoke pot.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with it, and quite frankly I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that it’s illegal. In fact, I would argue that the U.S. war on drugs has been one of the most destructive and futile wars ever waged.
I also believe that marijuana absolutely serves a medicinal role for many people suffering from a variety of ailments. To deny a sick person a simple, natural cure is immoral, no matter how you try to justify it.
All this being said, to assume that marijuana is completely harmless is a myth.
Bad Weed
You see, much of today’s marijuana is grown with the assistance of pesticides. And according to chemist Jeffrey Raber from the University of Southern California, as much as 70 percent of the pesticides found in marijuana is inhaled when smoked.
The Eureka Times-Standard reported on Raber’s findings, writing. . .
“I think that what’s so alarming to us is that such a huge amount of pesticide material could be transferred,” Raber said. “And, you have to consider that when you inhale (something), it’s much like injecting it directly into your blood stream.” …
Raber said it’s important to remember that smoking a marijuana bud that’s been sprayed with chemicals is far different than eating a non-organic tomato. First and foremost, he said, there are no controls over what’s sprayed on marijuana crops. And, while most people would rinse off a tomato before eating it, they can’t wash a bud before putting it in their pipe. The body also has filters in place for things that are ingested, he said, but not for what’s inhaled.
“You don’t have the first pass metabolism of the liver,” he said. “You don’t have the lack of absorptivity going through the stomach or the gut lining. It’s a very different equation when you’re inhaling.”
I always find it a bit disturbing when I see so many folks singing the praises of healthy, organic food, but then go off and smoke weed that’s loaded with all kinds of chemicals.
You won’t eat a conventionally-grown cantaloupe, but you’ll smoke weed that could possible contain pesticide residues at levels 1,600 times the legal digestible amount?
Health, Liberty and Opportunity
The truth is, I see non-organically grown marijuana as a very real health issue that few are talking about. Especially those in Colorado still doing backflips over the fact that they can now buy an ounce of pot without being treated like a violent criminal.
While I understand the enthusiasm, marijuana advocates shouldn’t turn a blind eye to the pesticide issue. Particularly if they want to further proclaim the medicinal benefits of the plant.
Of course, there are legal organic growers out there, looking to capitalize on this reality.
After doing a quick Google search, I came across a number of dispensaries that provide organic medical cannabis. Although much like your food, it’s always good to do your due diligence first, just to make sure those who claim organic status are actually adhering to organic standards.
Still, just like the organic food sector, I believe there’s an enormous opportunity waiting to explode in organically-grown and produced marijuana.
The long path to legalization is well underway, and it won’t be long before most state lawmakers realize that bullying responsible adults wishing to grow, purchase, smoke or eat marijuana is not only an exercise in futility, but anti-American as well, as it doesn’t allow for folks to exercise personal responsibility without the shadow of Big Government following your every move.
And let’s face it, the war on drugs has been one of the biggest anti-free market operations in this nation’s history.
In any event, for those who value liberty, the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana is a positive development.
For those who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, you would be wise to seek out only marijuana that has been grown and produced organically. Otherwise, you’re simply treating one condition while potentially exposing yourself to another.
And for investors, if you happen to come across an opportunity to invest in an organic marijuana operation, don’t be so quick to blow it off. Do your due diligence, of course. But don’t immediately chalk it up to some random hippie illusion, because it could end up being a multi-million dollar opportunity.
