[cryptowonderdruginvogue]

"Warning issued over cannabis adulterated with glass beads" AKA "Grit Weed"

James Randerson, science correspondent
Friday January 12, 2007
The Guardian

Drug campaigners have warned that a batch of cannabis adulterated with tiny glass beads which they say could pose a risk to health has flooded the UK market. Anecdotal reports suggest it is being sold in almost every part of the country.

The charity Drugscope is issuing a warning. "We want to make people aware of it from a public health point of view. If you are smoking this stuff and taking it into your lungs it's not good news."

The fact that "grit weed", as it is being called, is so widespread suggests that contamination is happening at an early stage in the production process. "It seems to be being done on an industrial scale," said Harry Shapiro of Drugscope.

The dealers' motivation seems to be to bump up the weight of their product. They appear to be doing this by spraying plants with the reflective element from the paint used on road lines. The tiny reflective glass beads become imbedded in the leaves.

"It looks perfectly normal. In fact it looks good quality," said Derek Williams of UK Cannabis Internet Activists, which campaigns against cannabis prohibition.

Contributors to its internet forum have said the contaminated leaves can be identified by rubbing them between wetted fingers. The residue will feel gritty if chewed.

The first reports of grit weed circulated in late summer, but the groups have only recently received pictures of the beads taken with an electron microscope by an anonymous scientist. There have been rumours of users experiencing a tight chest for days after smoking grit weed, but a spokesperson for the British Thoracic Society said that the contamination was unlikely to be dangerous because the particles are too big to be inhaled into the lungs.

An analysis carried out by the French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Addiction found that the glass particles are between 0.02 and 0.3 millimetres across. But Richard Russell, a consultant at Imperial College London, said few particles above 0.015 millimetres would be able to pass into the lungs because they are too big.

"It is likely that they will deposit in the mouth or the throat," said Dr Russell. Here they would most likely pass harmlessly through the system. Using a filter would stop them entering the mouth.

Dr Russell said that smokers should be aware that cannabis smoke causes emphysema, lung inflammation and cancer. "You are likely to do more damage from the marijuana than these particles."

Mr Williams said that the widespread contamination highlighted the problems which stem from cannabis prohibition. "Cannabis is called a controlled drug, but there is no control over the supply side. It's a completely underground product," he said.

 

Source: Cannabis.com

Word of advice, check what you're smoking people.

[Rob Instigator]

Know Your Source!

[cryptowonderdruginvogue]

Originally Posted by Rob Instigator

Know Your Source!

$$$$

[compulsive diarrhea, jico]

i'll probably end up getting some cancer anyway...

[tesla69]

Emperor Bush has a couple tons of nice heroin from Afghanistan all ready for users if they want to switch.

This article could be from the Onion, in the US we call those little glass beads RESIN BALLS! But I guess they're talking about something different.

[compulsive diarrhea, jico]

afghanistan...
opium... anyone ever tried?

[Rob Instigator]

that is some shiester shit. spraying weed with fiberglass. fuckheads.

[cryptowonderdruginvogue]

seriously

[cryptowonderdruginvogue]

if you want to add weight to your weed, get it damp/wet or add some fucking catnip to it
dont spray your weed with fiberglass

[floatingslowly]

Contributors to its internet forum have said the contaminated leaves can be identified by rubbing them between wetted fingers. The residue will feel gritty if chewed.

ok, that's pretty burly.

who the fuck would chew on weed residue?? brownies are one thing, but damn that sounds nasty.

certainly there has to be a better way of proofing yr stash than chewing on glass and resin!

might as well wash it down with bong water while yr at it.

[Toilet & Bowels]

alternatively you could all try not taking drugs

[Iain]

My friend had some of this stuff around Christmas but he didn't smoke it because he couldn't get the damn stuff to burn. People will smoke it though because there has been a bit of a weed drought in the UK recently I think. Around here anyway.

[EMMAh]

I'm not sure why they're spraying it though, just to make it look more crystally?

[Iain]

I think it adds weight and also to make it look like there's more THC in it, yes.

[maggot brain]

that shit is horrible. and worrying.

[porkmarras]

I'm glad that i don't smoke pot.

[floatingslowly]

poor UK.

[Glice]

Originally Posted by Iain

People will smoke it though because there has been a bit of a weed drought in the UK recently I think. Around here anyway.

Having given up weed nearly 4 years ago, the drought has been severe enough for me to receive phonecalls asking me if I know anyone who can get some.

Originally Posted by Toilet & Bowels

alternatively you could all try not taking drugs

Nonsense, it's the talking about one's consumption that's annoying. Especially weed.

[Glice]

Originally Posted by Glice

Nonsense, it's the talking about one's consumption that's annoying. Especially weed.

Disclaimer: The only exception to this rule is Diesel.

[Green_mind]

Hey Diesel, does your user name refer to diesel weed?
That stuff is nasty, I mean probably 10 times as bad than any glass bead intake.