To download the guide, click here for PDF or here for Microsoft Office .doc format.
Using The Guide
While an unprecedented number of patients in the state of Colorado now have access to medical marijuana, few have experience with the cultivation and dealing with common pests. A vast majority of cannabis sold in Medical Marijuana Centers has gone through a rigorous inspection process to protect patients from the potential harms that mold, mildew and pests can pose.
This guide is intended to educate patients on ways to identify potential issues without the use of magnifying glasses or expensive microscopes. A well trained eye or nose can spot most damage on the spot.
If you believe you have purchased cannabis that has one of these issues, we suggest that you immediately contact the center from which it was purchased so they can pull any tainted product from their shelves and contact other patients that may be affected. It can also be helpful to take pictures that identify areas you’re concerned with.
The Three M’s
Mold:
Botrytis, gray mold, necrotrophic fungus, bud mold… one of the nastiest problems with cannabis goes by many names. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to identify.
Mold is generally a result of improper humidity levels during the growing or curing stages of processing. Buds with mold present generally lack a strong nose and will remind you more of an old basement than cannabis. Since mold is present where moisture is trapped, you will need to inspect the center of the bud near the stem. For this reason, larger or dense buds are often more prone.
Mold will often cause discoloration
Mildew:
Powdery mildew (PM) occurs during the cultivation stage and generally attacks the leaves of a plant. It can be difficult to spot as PM appears very similar to trichomes, the wax-like structures on cannabis that give it a “dusted” appearance.
PM will generally look whiter than a trichome and is fuzzier, as opposed to the elongated structure with tiny heads. It will also be concentrated on the leaves, so make sure to give extra inspection to buds with an extremely tight trim.
Powdery mildew often resembles fuzz
Mites:
Spider mites are one of the hardest issues to spot on a finished bud because of their small size. As they feed on plants, discoloration will become evident on the leaves. Dead mites will appear either black or red and small black specks of fecal matter may be present. You may also notice that there will be a crackling or popping noise if you’re smoking.
Flecks of mite damage on a leaf
For additional information, please contact The Releaf Center at 303-458-LEAF (5323).
http://www.thereleafcenter.com
