I have fallen victim to the attractive appearance of perfectly formed, rock hard buds that offered promises of a high that was strong and intense. Unfortunately, in each case, the reality was far from the promise — and I was left with a pounding headache and a feeling of disappointment and frustration.
What follows is the culmination of the lessons learned during those experiences, coupled with scientific data, and designed to help you find a more enjoyable, authentic and safe cannabis experience.
What Are PGRs?
To begin to understand why PGR flowers pose a problem, we need to first establish definitions of how plants grow without manipulation and how they grow with it.
Understanding Naturally Grown, Non-PGR Cannabis
Naturally grown cannabis is a reflection of a plant that has developed naturally. It grows in a soil or hydroponic system that allows it to reach its full potential through ideal light, nutrient, and care conditions. Terpenes, flavonoids and cannabinoids are produced as a complex and synergistic reaction to environmental factors, and this produces what is known as the entourage effect. The entourage effect is the reason that natural cannabis has been used and respected for thousands of years, and is the unmanipulated, untainted version of the plant.
The Artificial Augmentation of PGR Weed
Plant Growth Regulators are chemical agents employed in conventional agriculture to influence plant development. In the context of cannabis, the primary purpose of using PGRs is to direct the plant to produce larger buds instead of developing vegetatively. It is important to differentiate between natural PGRs like kelp (that are beneficial) and synthetic PGRs that are concerning. Synthetic PGRs include paclobutrazol, daminozide, chlormequat chloride and others. Synthetic PGRs are not nutrients; they are hormones that alter the development of the plant.
How to Identify PGR Flowers
To develop your ability to identify PGR flowers, you must engage all of your senses and go beyond a visual evaluation to evaluate them holistically.
Visual Evaluation: Red Flags
First and foremost, PGR flowers exhibit an unnatural density and hardness. They resemble small rocks rather than the fluffy, calyx-heavy, naturally occurring buds associated with natural cannabis. Pistils (small, hair-like structures that are usually orange, red or brown) are severely reduced, or nonexistent. While the majority of PGR flowers display an unnatural, bright orange color, the colors of quality cannabis are generally vibrant and varied (purple, blue, deep forest green, etc.). More significantly, when you examine a PGR flower closely, you will see a lack of trichome coverage. The frosty, crystalline layer on quality cannabis, containing the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes, is notably missing.
Smell Test: Appearance is Not Always Reality
When looking at a flower that visually appears to be of high quality and does not deceive, smell is often the key factor. If you hold a jar of the finest quality natural cannabis, you will likely be overwhelmed by a wide array of scents, from pungent diesel, to sweet citrus, earthy pine, floral lavender and many others. Conversely, if you lift a jar of PGR cannabis, the smell will typically be mild and lacking.
I have purchased an ounce of what appeared to be premium OG Kush that smelled of almost nothing. Although I did manage to detect a slight odor, it was of a generic “weed” or hay-like fragrance, with some examples having a noticeable chemical/plastic-like odor. The presence of a strong, complex aroma is indicative of a rich terpene profile. Synthetically produced PGRs work to reduce or eliminate the complexity of terpene profiles.
Tactile Experience: Touch and Structure
Lastly, physically touch the flower. A natural flower is soft to the touch and will have a spongy feel when lightly squeezed. A natural flower will be sticky to the touch because of the resinous trichomes. When a natural flower is broken, it will break into multiple fragments of varying shapes and sizes. A PGR flower will feel hard and dense. It will not spring back when touched; it will compress like a rock. Typically, a PGR flower is dry and will crumble into a dry, powdered substance when ground. A natural flower will break into a variety of loose, resinous fragments when ground.
Why Choosing PGR Flowers Is Hazardous
While the high achieved with PGR flowers may be disappointing and lacking, there are many other reasons why choosing to consume PGR flowers is hazardous to both your health and your wallet.
Safety and Health Risks
The greatest risk associated with PGR flowers is the chemical toxins present in the flowers. Synthetic chemicals such as Paclobutrazol are not approved for use on edible crops in many countries due to concerns regarding toxicity. Some studies suggest that the aforementioned compounds may be carcinogenic and detrimental to the liver and reproductive systems. When you smoke or vape a PGR flower, you are exposing your respiratory tract to the pyrolysis byproducts of these chemicals. I have personally experienced the negative aspects of smoking/vaping PGR flowers. Not only were the highs I received extremely weak, they were also accompanied by an unpleasant, chemical-laden smoke that irritated my airways and caused headaches that lasted for days after consumption.
Poor User Experience
In addition to the health risks of PGR flowers, there are many reasons why users are disappointed in the experience they receive. The highs from PGR flowers are frequently unidimensional and do not last long. They tend to be heavily sedative and rarely provide the creative/cerebral effects commonly experienced from quality cannabis. Users are frequently forced to consume larger amounts of PGR flowers to experience a satisfactory high, resulting in a cycle of dissatisfaction. In addition, the flavor/smoke generated from PGR flowers is almost universally poor. The smoke is rough, and the flavor is flat, devoid of the complexities of flavor that are inherent in quality cannabis.
Economic and Ethical Implications
From an economic perspective, PGR flowers represent a scam. Consumers pay a premium for weight, not for potency. Due to the artificial increase in density, consumers receive fewer buds per gram of PGR flowers. Furthermore, the buds themselves contain a much smaller percentage of the total amount of active compounds (THC/CBD/terpenes) contained in quality cannabis. In essence, consumers are paying for plant mass. From an ethical perspective, supporting growers who employ PGRs contributes to a deleterious and dishonest business practice that places aesthetic appeal ahead of consumer welfare and the integrity of the plant.
The Solution: Finding Natural Cannabis
The solution is simple, yet it requires a conscious shift in purchasing habits and a commitment to seeking quality over superficial appearance.
Educated Perception: Cultivating an Attuned Eye
Your best tool is educated perception. Every time you contemplate purchasing cannabis, apply the above step-by-step guide to determine whether the flower is a PGR flower or a naturally grown flower. Place greater emphasis on the aroma and trichome coverage of a flower versus its density. Discuss the grower and their cultivation methods with your budtender or supplier. For example, in regulated markets, seek out lab test results that reflect terpene profiles. A rich profile is a sign of a naturally grown flower.
Finding Trustworthy Suppliers
Find reputable dispensaries or caregivers who are open about their sources. The artisanal craft cannabis movement is based on natural, living soils, and natural cultivation techniques. Supporting these types of growers does not only ensure a superior product, but also supports an honest and quality focused segment of the cannabis industry.
Promoting Awareness and Transparency
Ultimately, you should become an advocate. Educate fellow consumers regarding the differences between PGR flowers and natural flowers. As consumers demand cleaner, natural, and more potent cannabis, the opportunity for PGR products to remain in the market will decrease. Your purchasing decisions represent your voice for a safer and more authentic cannabis culture.
Conclusion: The Choice Between PGR Flower and Quality Cannabis
The choice between PGR flower and quality cannabis represents a choice between an artificially enhanced impostor and an original botanical gem. My transition from ignorance to awareness of PGR flower changed my relationship with this plant from passive to enthusiastic. I now appreciate the artistic value of cultivating and the biochemical complexity of the plant itself.
Quality cannabis is a symphony of effects, fragrances, and aromas. PGR flower is a single discordant note. Developing the ability to recognize the differences between PGR flowers and quality cannabis is not merely a means to improve the high you experience. Recognizing these differences represents a means to protect your health, support honest growers, and honor the pure, untainted nature of the cannabis plant. The information is clear and the experience is self-evident. Choose quality.