Marijuana Smokers, You're Inhaling Pesticides

If you like smoking weed, pay attention to the product you're buying—because you may be inhaling pesticides without realizing it, the Times-Standard reports. A chemistry PhD at Humboldt State University recently presented his study about the pesticide dangers faced by marijuana smokers: "I think that what's so alarming to us is that such a huge amount of pesticide material could be transferred," said Jeffrey Raber. "And, you have to consider that when you inhale, it's much like injecting it directly into your blood stream."

According to Raber, up to 70% of pesticides clinging to a marijuana bud will end up in the smoke you inhale. And a small random study found that over 35% of marijuana flunked pesticide tests. A dispensary director in Humboldt County insists that marijuana is mostly safe, but admits that unsafe growers are maximizing profits by spraying their crops—which fits Raber's advice to be careful what you buy. "You should really look for lab-tested products," he said. "With no regulations and no quality control, anything that can be brought out to the market will go out to the market." (More marijuana stories.)