Are you getting a whiff of that? Cannabis may be known for its varied and distinct aromas, but some strains on the streets of Spain (try saying that fast, five times) may include a funky fragrance that sure isn’t pheromones.
Researchers in Spain found that much of the cannabis circulating on the illicit market contained detectable amounts of fecal matter, at least on its packaging. According to a study, approximately 88 percent of cannabis baggies examined were determined to include levels of fecal matter that made them “not suitable for consumption,” while 93 percent tested positive for at least some trace of human excrement.
About that additional 5 percent? We know what you are thinking, and during SNL’s recent “Weekend Update” segment Colin Jost asked the key question. “A new study finds that marijuana resin sold on the streets of Madrid contains a dangerous amount of fecal matter. Begging the question: What’s a good amount?”
Researchers are considering the situation a “public health issue” because the contaminated chronic contains E.coli. Only about 29 percent of the actual flower inside the contaminated bags tested positive for fecal matter. Unfortunately, germs are able to transfer directly to the fingers of users which can easily find its way onto the flower itself or rolling papers and be ingested.
The reason for the gross ganja likely has to do with smugglers. In order to sneak cannabis into Spain, smugglers seem to be ingesting the baggies and then re-depositing them in a (shall we say) backhanded manner.
While the story may make for funny headlines and churned stomachs, contaminated cannabis of course presents a serious issue, especially for medicinal patients. For those with compromised immune systems, ingesting tainted flower can make an already hazardous health situation considerably worse.
Dump this onto the growing list of reasons for eliminating cannabis prohibition. If authorities are unable to be swayed by criminal justice reform, job creation, and tax revenues, perhaps avoiding E.Coli will finally help it pass the smell test.
