When you come across a batch of weed, it’s essential to examine it closely, preferably in bright natural light. Stay vigilant for different types of contaminants.
Identifying Grit Weed Contamination
Grit weed was one of the initial types of contamination to raise concern. This weed was covered in tiny glass-like particles, which turned out to be silica. Though it’s not as common now, it’s still valuable to know how to detect it. If you use a metal herb grinder, be alert to any unusual screeching or scraping sounds. Grit weed might even leave marks on your grinder. If you suspect you have grit weed, don’t put it near your mouth to test its crunchiness. Instead, shake it over a surface that can be scraped, like a blank CD. Then roll a glass over the crystals that have fallen onto the CD. Listen closely for crunching sounds – if you hear them, it’s grit weed.
Stem Scratching and Coating Detection
A reliable way to test weed is to examine the stems. Gently scrape the stem with your nail and observe if any flakes come off. If they do, it indicates that the weed has been coated with some type of substance. Stems generally don’t have much crystal on them, so when you see an unusual amount, it’s a clear sign of adulteration. You might also notice fine hairs on the stems, which is normal.
Hard Ash and Residue
Sometimes, when weed is burnt, the resulting ash becomes unusually hard. If you flick the ash, the head of your joint might even fall off. Rubbing this hard ash between your fingers will leave behind a black oily residue that isn’t associated with clean cannabis or tobacco.
Sweet Bud Alert
If you encounter sweet bud, sugar bud, or sugar weed, it will emit a candy floss-like smell when burnt. When tasted, it will have a sweet flavor on your tongue. However, I strongly advise against putting anything near your mouth if you don’t know its origin.
It’s important to note that this article might not cover all possible forms of contamination. If you have additional tests, tips, or even pictures related to detecting contaminants, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
