What is PGR weed?

What is PGR weed, and how can you recognize it?

There has been a fervor online about contaminated weed and carts, so we thought we'd turn the lens on PGR weed, its prevalence in the cannabis market, and what that means for you.

PGR weed is cannabis that has been grown with the air of plant growth regulators (PGR).

The regulators are used to control different aspects of the plant's growth.

These chemicals are used to increase the size of the plants' flowing parts and control flowering time.

PGRs are used in agriculture to increase the size of fruit or the growth of roots, stems, and flowers.

The issue is that these PGRs are often toxic chemicals that should not ingested, and smoking them could be harmful.

There is a concern in the cannabis market that illegal and unscrupulous growers are using these chemicals to increase the yield of their crops at the expense of people's health.

While PGR weed may look like a regular weed, it may not develop the same amounts of terpenes, cannabinoids, or trichomes. In some cases, the plant may never develop THC.

With the main appeal of cannabis being the beneficial properties of THC and CBD, customers could be getting shortchanged or, worse yet, be putting their health at risk by consuming PGR weed.

What is PGR weed? 

PGR weed is cannabis that has been grown with plant growth regulators. These are chemicals that are often synthetic, and they alter the plant's growth to increase yields or achieve desired effects. In cannabis growth, they are used to make larger, denser flowers. 

Larger crop yields and denser flowers would usually be a good thing. However, the chemicals used to achieve this also alter the plant and disrupt the THC development.

While the chemicals can increase the size and weight of cannabis, they also virtually eliminate beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and trichomes from the plant.

 This means that unsuspecting customers are spending money on marijuana that may not have any desired effects and may also be putting their health at risk by burning and ingesting PRG chemicals that are not designed or safe for human consumption. 

Many of the PGRs are banned for use in food-based crops and are only legal for use in ornamental plants. 

So why are some growers using PRGs?

There are many black market growers, even in states where cannabis is legal. In fact, the legalization of cannabis in states like California has lowered the penalties for illegal grows, which has led to an increase in black market weed as well as the demand that drives it.

Some illegal growers are cashing in on this demand by using PGRs to increase the cannabis yield from their crops. 

While legal marijuana follows licenses, regulations, and testing, there are no such checks on illegal street weed that may be grown with PGRs.

What are plant growth regulators?

PGRs are organic or synthetic chemicals used to regulate specific parts of a plant's growth and development. These chemicals affect dormancy, fruit growth, and the length and size of stems and roots.

These growth regulators are popular because they produce more desirable-looking plants. Ornamental plants with larger flowers are more attractive and fetch a higher price.  

Some growers use PGRs to increase a plant's health, making them more resistant to pests and cannabis mold. 

PGRs are not inherently bad. The issue is that some of the regulators, like those used to increase yields in cannabis, could make the final product dangerous for consumers in much the same way some pesticides on plants can be harmful.

Natural plant growth regulators and synthetic plant growth regulators

There are organic/natural plant genetic resources that are used in food production and in agriculture for animal feed. 

Kelp is one such example. It contains natural plant hormones that help increase yields. Other natural plant growth regulators include chitosan. This is a sugar found in the exoskeleton of shellfish.

These natural PGRs have effects similar to those of synthetic versions. They are used to increase and enhance growth patterns.

Being natural, these don't present any risks to human health; they are environmentally friendly and don't damage waterways or local biodiversity in runoff. 

Organic PGRs are, however, less effective than synthetic PGRs. These natural PGRs are also more expensive, so black market growers are naturally incentivized to use the cheaper synthetic options. 

Unscrupulous growers can produce the big, fat, dense, and richly colored buds that will maximize their profits. But synthetic plant hormones produce nearly useless cannabis with little to no cannabinoids or terpenes, so those seeking any medical or recreational benefits will be sorely disappointed.

How to spot PGR weed?

While shady characters use plant growth regulators to increase profits, you can avoid being caught out, as there are several ways to identify PGR cannabis.

The main ways to identify standard cannabis from PGR weed are:

Excessive red or brown hair

Cannabis plants often have little hairs on them, which are called pistils. PGR weed will have pistils that are more brown and red in color. They tend to grow a larger amount of these hairs and less trichomes.

No crystals

Speaking of no trichomes, if you look carefully at good quality weed, you should normally see a lot of small mushroom-shaped crystals-like structures. These are known as trichomes and are rich in THC and other cannabinoids. PGRs disrupt the development of trichomes, so if the buds don't have many trichomes, it could indicate it has been grown with synthetic PGRs.

No smell

PRGs will also disrupt the development of terpenes. Terpenes are compounds responsible for the aroma of most plants. Different terpens have different odors that form a rich bouquet unique to each strain. If the weed lacks a deep, rich smell when you tear it a bit off, then it could indicate it's PGR weed.

Dense, heavy, and rock-solid buds

PGRs are used to increase the bulk of the flowering part of the cannabis plant. These lead to denser, heavier nuggets. If the weed feels harder to the touch and has a weird texture, it could be an indication of PGR weed.

Moist, spongy texture

PGRs can cause the cannabis to have a moist or spongy texture.

Chemical smell or taste

If the cannabis has a pungent chemical smell or aftertaste when smoking it, this is a good sign of PGR weed. 

Smoking PGR weed could even lead to a brief chemical reaction that leaves you feeling tired after. 

Summing up

PGR cannabis can be identified by a lack of aromatic flavonoids and terpenes, resulting in a dull or sometimes chemical smell. The herb can feel dense and may be brighter than normal, with many brown or red hairs.

When it comes to natural cannabis versus PGR weed, make sure your nugs pass the smell test and remember that it's not all about looks. If it smells and feels good, then it's probably better than the cosmetic variant that has a bland or chemical smell.

What are the most common synthetic hormones used in PGR weed?

The most common synthetic PGRs used for cannabis cultivation are daminozide (aka Alar), chlormequat chloride, and Paclobutrazol. 

All of these increase growth and ensure the flowers become the largest and densest part of the plant. 

However, all three of these PGRs can have a detrimental effect on your health.

Chlormequat Chloride

Chlormequat Chloride slows the growth of stems and leaves, helping promote larger bug growth instead. While it is not as carcinogenic as the synthetic plant growth regulators, it can cause skin and eye irritation and, in some cases, even organ damage.

Daminozide

Daminozide, also known as Alar, slows down the growth of leaves and stems and increases bud size. Another effect of daminozide is that it limits the development of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Daminozide is classified as a probable carcinogen by

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned its use in food. If it's not fit for human consumption, then it shouldn't be smoked or end up in your cannabis products.

Paclobutrazol

Paclobutrazol limits plant cell elongation, which increases flower and bud density. It also limits the plant's ability to produce THC. This is the most toxic of the three. Paclobutrazol can break down into nitrosamines, the highly carcinogenic chemical that is found in cigarettes. 

How do growers apply synthetic hormones to cannabis？

Making PGR cannabis isn't hard. There are three main ways synthetic hormones are added to plants: spraying, watering, and stretching.

Spraying and watering are self-explanatory; the PGRs are mixed with water and sprayed or watered onto the plant.

Stretching, is a hybrid of a spray and a drench application. 

A high-volume spray drenches the flowers and leaves with the chemicals.

What are the health risks of using PGR weed?

Among the first symptoms of using PGR weed are severe headaches, lethargy, and low energy. 

If consumed long term then the toxins can cause kidney and liver damage, fertility problems, neurotoxicity (where the normal functioning of your nervous system is altered), numerous cancer risks, as well as skin and eye damage.

How common is PGR weed in the US, and is it legal?

Unfortunately, PGR weed has become a large issue in the US and is common across the illegal weed market. 

PGRs are banned for use on any plants meant for human consumption and in agricultural environments for food crops. However, PGRs are still widely available for use in ornamental plants. 

How can people tell that cannabis products contain PGRs? 

If you are buying cannabis to smoke, then you can identify PGR weed by its texture, appearance, and lack of smell.

However, many vape carts and edibles may be made from PGR cannabis. It's possible that these products have a chemical taste and odor, but this may not always be apparent.

If you begin to feel dizzy or nauseous after consuming a cannabis product, then stop using the product and consult a medical professional.  

Conclusion

Due to the severe adverse health implications of consuming PGR weed, you should always take the precaution of buying cannabis products from authorized growers and certified dispensaries. You should also ask to see the test certificates (CoA) Certificates of Authorization for any cannabis products.

While buying from legitimate channels may cost more, it will bring peace of mind and help you avoid dangerous products.