Some people think that, because cannabis is a natural product, its consumption does not involve significant risks. It is important to remember that the fact of consuming a vegetable product that grows naturally - instead of an industrially produced product - does not automatically imply its innocuousness: there is no doubt that in nature there are abundant examples of plant species with potential risks for the human being.
It must be borne in mind that in the cultivation of cannabis the same procedures are used (selection and manipulation of seeds, use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, etc.) as in the agricultural production of other vegetable products. Even when cannabis is grown at home, it is possible to use seeds that have been selected or even genetically manipulated to improve the yield and content of active ingredients in the plant.
The marijuana that is processed to make hashish or pollen from the peninsula market comes mostly from the Maghreb. In its production the same aggressive procedures are used as in intensive agriculture (application of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides), and these products can cause associated health problems.
The hashish acquired in the market - and the pollen, although usually in smaller proportion - is adulterated. It is difficult to find varieties of purity that exceed one third of their weight. Although mostly adulterated with parts of the plant itself (such as leaves or stems), samples prepared with tires, rubber, wax, etc. have also been found.
Expressions of the type "marijuana is healthier than hashish" should be avoided, because such assessment only takes into account its adulteration. For a boy or a girl, the "healthiest" - in these cases and the "least harmful" - would be that it incorporates less psychoactive principles.
Not only the illegal market creates consumer culture and moves a lot of money. It seems that there are also companies very interested in expanding the cannabis business.
