Should you consider PGR grown cannabis?

Plant Growth Regulators (‘PGR’) are natural or synthetic compounds used in some types of agriculture e.g. ornamental flowers, bonsai and even some fruit and vegetables. They are a highly controversial topic. Some argue that PGRs are essential in specific areas of farming, though organic growers would disagree strongly. Some less scrupulous cannabis growers have also grown PGR cannabis. Whilst quality levels decrease, yields typically increase at the cost of organic purity, taste and potency.

What are plant growth regulators?

Plant growth regulators fall into several chemical categories. Some are natural and ‘re-purposed’ for their properties on plant growth. Some are entirely unnatural and lab-created. The latter category cause particular concern to cannabis users since the decomposition products after smoking can include known carcinogens.

PGR concern within the cannabis community increased after a study (Taylor & Birkett, Feb 2020) was published following random cannabis testing. The study showed some cannabis samples had suspicious PGR traces. One of the chief concerns from the report was on the toxicity of pyrolyzed (combustion) by-products from these chemicals.

PGR grown cannabis vs organic weed

It’s worth emphasising that PGR cannabis isn’t grown for its enhanced potency or taste (the opposite is generally true), rather PGR weed is grown simply for yield enhancements. For less-scrupulous cannabis cash croppers, PGR weed dangles the irresistible carrot of heaver yields.

Organically grown cannabis, on the other hand, is the best approach for those that want to maximise taste and potency growing using the natural approach. Yields may be a little less, but no successful organic cannabis grower would want to change their winning recipe or their pro-grade quality levels. PGR grown cannabis is difficult to distinguish from organically grown cannabis without the aid of analytical lab support.

One of the main arguments in favour of cannabis legalisation and regulation is that lab analysis for mould, pesticides, PGR traces etc tends to swiftly remove bad growers from the supply chain, decreasing public health risks.

PGR weed may appear less sticky than normal, with a lighter scent (lower terpene levels) when opening a bud up. Potency (total cannabinoid content) is lower and the buds may feel unusually dense - bud density is often the biggest indicator of PGR grown cannabis.

What types of synthetic PGRs are used to grow cannabis?

The main synthetic PGRs are paclobutrazol, daminozide (widely sold under the brand name ‘Alar’) and chlormequat chloride. They work by increasing cell density and slowing natural cell elongation. Whilst biomass is increased, trichome density is decreased along with terpene production. Some of these PGR’s are banned in food crops in the more developed countries, carcinogenicity being the main fear. When it comes to PGR cannabis concerns it’s the synthetic PGR’s, the by-products and combustion residues which cause the greatest fear.

What are examples of ‘natural’ hormones used for cannabis growing?

Plant hormones, sometimes called phyto-hormones, are naturally produced by your cannabis plant in low quantities. The two main groups are promoters (Auxin, Gibberellins and Cytokinin) which aid growth and inhibitors (Abscisic acid and Ethylene). Naturally occurring compounds that affect growth are typically known as hormones. Synthetic compounds are known as growth regulators, or more commonly plant growth regulators (PGRs).

Are PGR cannabis buds safe to consume?

Most would say definitely not! Why compromise bud quality, safety, taste and potency for the profits of an unknown, cash-focussed grower? The more cannabis regulation to protect public health, the better. The cannabis consumers least likely to be exposed to PGR grown cannabis are those that grow their own cannabis seeds.

The next least-likely group of consumers are those that can buy cannabis legally in a regulated market. Here the hope is that the local cannabis regulators are switched-on and able to rapidly eliminate PGR cannabis growers, or indeed any growers using dangerous chemicals, pesticides etc or producing buds with high levels of contaminants such as heavy metals etc.

How to recognise cannabis grown with PGR?

Part of the issue with PGR grown cannabis is the difficulty in detecting it. Often PGR weed is characterised by the unusually dense buds. Some people report that they cough when smoking it.

For those that don’t grow their own cannabis (or buy it from a trusted source) the possibility of PGR buds making it into your stash is always there. Even if it’s one we would rather not consider. The reality is that few really know how far the illegal growers - focussed purely on profits - will go to boost yields. Some black-market growers, enjoying freedom from regulation (and taxes), no doubt routinely use plant growth regulators to grow cannabis.

Even in countries where cannabis use is permitted and legal sales tolerated/permitted, many connoisseur growers strongly prefer to buy and grow their own cannabis seeds.

Use of slow-release organic nutrients in combination with LED grow lights is an easy way to grow great quality cannabis free from unwanted contaminants. Older-school growers may prefer to grow from photoperiod feminised cannabis seeds. Many of those that have grown autoflower seeds have never switched back! Crops can be harvested in as little as 8-9 weeks after autoflower seed germination with varieties such as Auto Blackberry Kush and Auto Blueberry.

Recognising PGR weed may not be easy, therefore avoiding it is the key. Effective, legal regulation is one way to improve cannabis quality levels. So is growing your own. Buying street weed increases your chances of being exposed to PGRs as well as contamination with traces of pesticide, heavy metals etc.

Organic weed is the best you can get!

If you have any suspicions that your local weed in contaminated with PGRs, pesticides or other chemicals it could be time to consider growing your own weed at home from cannabis seeds. For most of us, it’s the only practical way to guarantee pure weed. Buy the best autoflower seeds/feminised seeds and you can expect cannabis cup winning results with great taste and effect.

Although it’s probably only a minority of corrupt blackmarket growers that grow PGR cannabis, the mere presence of these cowboy cultivators is enough to scare plenty of people into growing their own. As well as superior quality you will find that home-grown cannabis is the most affordable way to supply your weed. Most growers also find cannabis cultivation to be a highly rewarding and satisfying hobby. If you can’t grow indoors then perhaps there are possibilities to grow a few cannabis plants outdoors in the countryside this year?

If you’ve had enough fear, uncertainty and doubt about the authenticity and quality of your local cannabis it could be time to plant a few cannabis seeds of your own. Choose a seedbank with a longstanding reputation for excellence and enjoy your next grow!