Cannabis: The Best Strands Are Grown With Neem
The Cannabis industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, with dispensaries now open in many states across the United States and globally. Due to its status as illegal under federal law in the US, cannabis is not considered a crop, which is why it is not regulated for human consumption. Therefore, many growers use synthetic pesticides which can be extremely harmful when inhaled or ingested in cannabis products.
As a cash crop, growers rely on synthetics and chemicals to guarantee the growth of their plants. These synthetic pesticides can be transferred into cannabis smoke at a rate as high as 70%, allowing chemicals to enter the bloodstream without traveling through the digestive system directly.
Processed products including oils, waxes, edibles, and others made from extracts that concentrate the active ingredients in cannabis may also concentrate pesticide residues.
The Journal of Toxicology states that they found levels of pesticide residue in medicinal plants as high as 69.5%. Even organic farms are often at risk of suffering pesticide contamination from nearby crops treated with these substances.
Growing Cannabis With Neem
Azadirachtin, a vital substance extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, does not poison insects as synthetic pesticides do. Instead, it triggers a stop-eating response, so bugs starve to death. Neem is effective against many pests, including aphids, beetles, cockroaches, flies, fruit flies, fungal infections, grasshoppers, leaf miners, mosquitoes, moths, nematodes, snails, spider mites and thrips.
Since 2010, field trials on medicinal plants treated with the pure essence of neem were conducted in seven US states, all with positive results. The trial groups showed improved plant health and increased yields at an average of 55.6%, and as much as 82.7%.
In field trials, six strains of medicinal plants that were sprayed with neem and showed the following improvement:
- Green Crack: 29.7%
- Purple Afghani: 64.9%
- Fire Bubba Kush: 47.5%
- Master Kush: 61.4%
- Critical Mass: 82.7%
- Burmese Kush: 50.2%
Commercial growers who grow with neem have gone on to win awards at various High Times Cannabis Cups. The Strongest Strain on Earth winner, Ghost Train Haze #1, was grown by Michigan’s King of Cannabis, the Leaf Doctor, who swears by neem products.
Neem offers a natural solution for commercial and home growers who want to guarantee that their cannabis plants are safe for consumption. To discover the myriad of benefits that neem offers, check out our other blog entrances here.
