Pubdate: Thu, 16 Sep 2004
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2004, MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: James Kerr
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

WATCH WHICH POT YOU SMOKE

To the Editor:

Medical marijuana consumers should be aware that the product they buy 
locally may be contaminated with toxic pesticides. I had tenants who set up 
an indoor "medical marijuana" facility, and sold their product to a Ukiah 
cannabis club. They used "flea bombs" for insect control, which typically 
contain permethrin, a synthetic pesticide known to be a neurotoxin, a 
carcinogen and an immune system inhibitor. (Check out www.safe2Use.com

Everyone who uses marijuana, and particularly those with a serious medical 
condition (e.g. cancer or AIDS), should be very concerned about the effect 
of pesticide-laden marijuana on their health. Unfortunately, medical 
marijuana growing is an unregulated industry, and the large profits 
involved may tempt many growers to do whatever it takes to maximize 
production, regardless of the hazards to consumers. The medical marijuana 
clinics in Mendocino County that buy from individual growers, and then sell 
their products to thousands of patients, do not test their products for 
pesticide residues. As a result, many people may be unwittingly buying a 
medicine that could cause more health problems than it cures.

James Kerr

Redwood Valley