A new investigation in the Netherlands emphasized the existence of pollutants such as lead, insecticides and potentially dangerous bacteria in marijuana sold in semi -legal cafes. The study conducted by the Timbos Institute of Mental Health and Dependence aims to create a reference level for typical contamination, given an experiment that will begin in April. During this experiment stage, in ten municipalities, cafes will sell cannabis produced by authorized farmers and are subject to meticulous controls on pollutant substances.
Research
During the search, 105 cannabis samples were analyzed both resin and grass, accidentally purchased from different sellers. The results emphasized that one in every five examples offers “microbiological problems” such as “staphylococcus aureus” or fungal residues bacteria, while traces of pesticide were found in about one third of the samples. In particular, a worrying situation is related to a poppy sample containing almost six times the amount of lead to be allowed during the arranged experiment.
“Yes, there are pollutants in cannabis,” he said Pieter Oomen, an analytical chemist and researcher expert in the Dutch Pharmaceutical Market, interviewed by Guardian. “We’ve found a few pesticides, a number of microbiological contamies and leads,” he added.
Although many tourists visit the Netherlands with the idea that marijuana is completely legal, it actually allows the sale of cannabis and cannabis in coffee shops with tolerance policy since 1976. However, the cultivation of more than five plants continues to be illegal and forces coffee shops to supply themselves with illegal suppliers.
Regulation experiment to reduce risks
Cannabis regulatory experiment aims to eliminate illegal circuits and reduce contamination. Ten breeders subject to penalties will have the authority to provide cannabis to the coffee shops participating in the project; Four of these are already ready to start the supply. Production shall be subject to controls to ensure compliance with the boundaries of pollutants such as heavy metals, microorganisms, pesticides and mushrooms.
According to the study, the presence of potentially dangerous bacteria such as “Staphylococcus aureus” is an indication of small hygiene conditions at one or more stages of growing, processing, processing, packaging or sale. However, Oomen, who interviewed by the British newspaper, stressed that the discovery does not imply that all cannabis in the Netherlands is contaminated. The authority added that the health risks obtained from contamination are probably minimal compared to the effect of cannabis consumption, especially if combined with tobacco.
“It is difficult to interpret the effect of microbiological pollutants identified because it is very attached to the consumer’s immune system.” “We do not expect pollutants to significantly increase the risks associated with cannabis consumption. Acute effects may vary from attention problems that may lead to road accidents from anxiety and panic to dependence. Cannabis is a drug. If you do not want to take risks for health, the solution is not to use drugs”.
Source: Today IT

Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.