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Any pot aficionado would tell you that the best pot is that which is grown locally. Of course, aside from the occasional covert operations, this can’t really apply everywhere. While some US states for instance have a more liberal policy on cannabis cultivation, if you live outside of these areas then you’re pretty much limited to taking whatever you can get so it’s literally a case of ‘pot luck’.
Here we give 4 pretty clear reasons why local growing should be the norm…
Quality Assured Cannabis
Whether you live in the US, The UK or Europe, you’ll have the same problems with the weed you’re getting hold of. In the US, it’s the Mexican imports while the UK and mainland Europe are regularly pulling in the North African imports. Whether, it’s weed or brick you’re getting, you should be asking the same question. What’s gone into this on its intercontinental journey? With this kind of mass smuggling and undoubtedly mass cultivating, you simply have no idea what processes are used to grow and maintain the weed.
It’s not like it’s a standards approved product so the fertilisers and stimulants could be making this natural herb as unnatural as Kristen Stewarts smile and that’s not even taking into account the other potential additions they make to boost their crop along the way.
With local cannabis growth, you can be a little more assured about the process. It’s effectively the same as a small local market. Less preservatives and more wholesome products all round.
Cutting Out the Middle Man
If you want an apple, it always tastes best picked straight from the tree. The same rule applies to pretty much any produce including weed. Buying from a dealer just means that there is one more person in the process who is not strictly necessary, ramping up the cost and pushing you further from the source. Sure, I’m leaving out the fact that in most cases this is illegal, but the process is effectively the same.
If on the other hand you had access to a local grower you would be able to see how their crop is grown, getting a better eye for the quality and a better price. Plus being able to see the product from marijuana seeds to full blown plants will certainly make you happier to hand over your money.
Legal Moderation
One defining point on the step towards controlled legalisation of cannabis is undoubtedly going to be support for local farming. One of the main issues that is holding back the legalisation of the plant is the government’s inability to moderate it effectively. Already in certain US states, declared medicinal marijuana outlets and cultivators have proven how well monitored such a commodity can be.
Also, while government control will inevitably bring in greater taxation on the plant similarly to tobacco or alcohol, it will almost certainly bring the standard price down. An illegal import commands a high price tag due to the inherent risks involved. Think alcohol prices in prohibition America.
When states and countries are allowed to grow cannabis as part of a taxable business, whether for medicinal use, recreation or hemp for textiles, insulation …the list goes on, then the economic benefits will become apparent.
Cull the Cartels
Just like Al Capone during prohibition, importing illegal produce is always to some degree funding organised crime. Every gram of cocaine is paid for in blood before money ever reaches the table and while less evident, cannabis is to a degree in the same boat. Border crossings between Mexico and America are often driven by drug trafficking and in many cases fund the Mexican and Colombian cartels. The same moral issues are apparent throughout Europe as people try to ignore the clearly dark underbelly of drug smuggling and farming.
Of course most of the violence and blood money in these cases is tied to the more dangerous narcotics. Consider the fact that Canadian grass comes in with relative ease compared to the combined narcotic and weed running of South America.
That said, the problem is still there in any case. With cannabis however, more can be done to curb this. Putting the power in the hands of respectable local businesses to grow and distribute weed effectively castrates the smugglers.
Better Medicinal Testing
One of the key reasons right now for the semi-legal state of cannabis in America is due to its potential for medical applications. Used to treat AIDs related illnesses, symptoms of cancer and chronic pain, cannabis has already proven its effectiveness as a medicine.
Every now and then we’ll see further research but it is likely to always be limited and inhibited by governmental control. A broader range of local growers would allow greater resources for testing, wider ranges of treatment and potentially, a host of undiscovered health benefits which these medical seeds could contain.
So there you have it, 5 reasons why cannabis should be grown locally. Maybe in the near future we’ll see a bit more of this as the government’s wake up to the fact that cannabis was around long before they were and will be, long after they’ve blocked their last proposition.
Cannabliss is an advocate for the legalisation of cannabis seeds the world over.
