The cannabis black market has always had an odd tie to the legal market in MMJ and Recreational states. Despite the boom of legal marijuana in the country, no state has found a way to completely rid themselves of it.
Despite the cleanliness and overall transparency of operations in Cannabis cultivations and shops, they don’t win everyone over. With black market marijuana, there’s no tax on sales, child-proof packaging regulations or strict testing standards. They operate in a grey area of the law where, some prefer to remain. For some long-time users, the appeal comes from the lack of a cap on testing perimeters. As well, without the state required testing and the looming issue of commercial supply and demand, the products can be much cheaper than that found in shops.
It can sound too good to be true, and typically, it is.
The illegal sale of marijuana, despite how innocent it may seem, drastically undermines the markets that we voted into place. Funding the black market takes away all the progress we made and, not only, puts you in legal crosshairs. Most consumers would rather go to their local shop to get products because of the safety and legality alone. Black market sellers. however have seen this as a roadblock and adjusted. In attempt to sell more, illegal markets have been duping people into thinking their products are legit.
Illicit sellers have been posting ads with logos of known brands to entice buyers to their products. With the branding to go along, many cannabis users are falling for the false advertisement too. With the market being so fresh and some renowned growers being difficult to come by with production cost, most see the price and don’t question the origin of the product. Don’t let the lower price fool you. What most of us have learned in our past with Marijuana is that quality -most of the time- trumps quantity.
You may be getting what you want at a lower price but, what are you sacrificing in the name of a sale?
One of the biggest benefits to going to a shop is having product that is tested by the state. It’s the feeling of knowing exactly what is in it and what is not.
Marijuana testing labs screen samples for toxic metals, fungi and pesticides. This is done to verify that the potency of the product is consistent and not harmful to the public.
These testing facilities are held accountable as well. Since the Nevada Tax Department took over the marijuana regulation on July 1, four of the state’s nine cannabis testing facilities have had their license suspended.
“Our aim is to address issues early — well before anything rises to the level of a public health or safety concern,” Tax Department spokeswoman Stephanie Klapstein said. “Independent testing labs serve an essential function as quality assurance before products reach the public. We want them to understand we have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to regulatory noncompliance, even in cases where good lab practices are not followed but there is no imminent public health concern.” –Las Vegas Review Journal
These are all standards that the black market doesn’t not have to abide by.
When purchasing on the black market, you literally have no idea where your weed came from in most cases. You’ve got the rare chance that it was grown in a facility where all safe grow practices were upheld, more often than not you are receiving someones closet or outdoor grow.
The best thing to do is educate yourself on what to expect when you smoke and when you are choosing a strain. One of the biggest clues that the product isn’t good, is mold.
Most of the time mold is obvious just by glancing at your bud, mold appears almost like a fine powder or dust that can look white, grey, or a variety of greens. Under the magnifier, mold will appear as spiderwebs (or cotton candy) coating the bud, not to be mistaken for the hairs or trichomes. Other distinct characteristics of moldy weed are a moldy or “urine-like” smell, or visible black or green spots not consistent with that strain.
When smoking a high quality marijuana strain, you will commonly inhale a few random spores, and this is normal as your body is equipped to deal with this natural level of exposure. When smoking weed with mold however, you’re increasing a few spores into tens of thousands of spores (and their metabolic toxins) that you are now inhaling and letting wreak havoc on your immune system. What’s worse is that these toxins can create a home in the far crevasses of your lungs. A great example is a common mold called Aspergillus, this mold is found in most fibrous items such a plants, leathers, and vegetable matter. Aspergillus is inhaled by a lot of people everyday and they don’t get sick, but if you’ve got a compromised immune system you could be at a higher risk of developing Aspergillosis.
This translates back to marijuana use directly because if you are someone who uses weed for their asthma or other health issue, you can directly be putting yourself at risk of compromising an already weakened immune system.Some symptoms of smoking PM include: wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, fever (in rare cases), stuffiness, runny nose, headache, reduced ability to smell, weight loss, and diarrhea. Other symptoms can develop if not treated and infection spreads to more than just the lungs.
On top of the rise of harmful substances like synthetic cannabis and the illusive Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, these are more reasons to steer clear of product that seems suspicious.
For some locals and tourist alike, the Cannabis buying process is new. They have no understanding of the transaction aside from what they have known before; this is now the black market.
So, how would you know if it’s legal or not?
There are a couple of signs to look for. The best way to avoid black market sellers is to only shop with a state licensed shop. If you are in the state of Nevada, you can find list here. Check with local shops to see who deliveries and what are the requirements. If you are outside of Sin City, check with your state if you are not sure if a shop is licensed.
Packaging, believe it or not, is a big factor in figuring if something is legit. One someone purchases anything medicated in the state of Nevada they must place their items in a child-proof, smell-proof, closale bag. Sellers are required to provide one as well as informational labels about the strain. This information tells Terpene levels, THC potency, testing dates and locations among other things.
“In the state of Nevada, it is a see-to-sell the state, where everything is tracked with a batch and lot number,” said Andre Rhodes, the assistant dispensary manager at ReLeaf Dispensary.
-Las Vegas Now
Because everything is tracked, everything comes with a receipt as well. If you aren’t getting one of those, then are is a problem.
Without testing information and an exit bag, your purchase in the state is not compliant with the laws. There are other small signs as well, such as questioning the origin of the flower and it’s strain types. If an answer can’t be provided or, if it sounds suspicious, steer clear.
Be diligent when purchasing. Whether it be at a shop, an event, or anywhere else. Every state has laws in place to keep you as safe as possible for any illicit activity. No one wants to go home with any possession charges.
Written by: Joycelin A.
