Yo, Is It Safe to Smoke Weed with Pesticides?

Yo, what’s good growers? It’s your boy Dan, and today we’re talking pesticides on cannabis. Now, I know many of us want to avoid using pesticides altogether, or at least use organic ones. So, let’s dive into the potential dangers of pesticides on your bud and check out some dope organic alternatives.

First things first, let’s break it down. What is a pesticide? Well, it’s any substance that kills pests – y’know, anything that gets in the way of a successful harvest. Pesticides come in many forms, from herbicides to insecticides to fungicides to rodenticides. And they can be synthetic or organic, which means they ain’t always less harmful just ’cause they’re natural.

One of the most well-known pesticides is DDT – that’s dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane for those who don’t know. DDT was used heavily in the mid-20th century to control insects on crops, but it quickly became controversial due to its environmental impact and potential links to cancer. DDT was banned in the US in 1972 and then worldwide in 2004. On the other hand, neem oil is a natural pesticide derived from the neem tree that appears to be effective at killing damaging insects without harming beneficial ones like butterflies. But even natural pesticides can be dangerous if ingested in high concentrations.

So, what are the risks of using pesticides? Well, they’re designed to kill things, so it’s safe to assume that they pose a risk to human health at high enough concentrations. Some synthetic pesticides have been linked to health disorders like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and respiratory and reproductive problems. Even if you don’t consume the pesticide directly, residue can remain on your buds and end up being smoked or ingested in some way.

Now, let’s talk about organic alternatives. There are plenty of ways to prevent pests from plaguing your cannabis crop without using toxic chemicals. Here are some of our fave alternatives:

1. Remove by hand: Yeah, it might be tedious but sometimes removing pests by hand is the best solution. You can remove whole clusters of eggs or individual insects depending on the severity of the infestation.

2. Alcohol solution: Mix together around 9 parts water to 1 part ethanol or isopropyl alcohol and spray it directly onto pests – this is especially effective against insects.

3. Ladybugs: These ferocious predators will hunt down many insects that can damage your cannabis crop.

4. Diatomaceous earth: This fossil dust is sharp at the molecular level and can actually damage the bodies of insects and pests – spread it around the base of your plant and put it on plants themselves while they’re still in veg.

5. Neem oil: This natural pesticide poses little risk to human health and the wider environment – simply spray it onto an infested plant (not on the buds).

6. Sticky traps: These adhesive strips attract a range of insects which then become stuck and eventually die.

7. Covers and greenhouses: Putting your plants in a greenhouse offers greater environmental control while reaping all the benefits of outdoor growing.

8. Garlic spray: Garlic acts as a natural pesticide – blend 4-5 cloves with a small amount of water and a few drops of dish soap. Add this concoction to around 500ml of water and use a misting bottle to spray it onto your plants.

9. Turmeric solution: Mix 15 grams of turmeric powder with 1.5 litres of water and 1.5 grams of baking soda to kill off bacterial infestations.

No matter what method you choose, make sure you’re not exposing yourself or others to harmful chemicals by washing your bud after harvest before drying.

So, there you have it folks – pesticides can be risky business when it comes to growing cannabis, but there are plenty of organic alternatives out there that can keep those pesky pests at bay without damaging your health or the environment. Keep growing that fire bud!