Archive for September, 2011

Hydroponic versus Natural Growing – Which Is Better? Or Does It Really Matter?

Minnesota marijuana enthusiasts often spend ridiculous amounts of time debating the “proper” and “best” growing protocols to ensure the cleanest highs, the most perfectly calibrated and titrated doses of cannabinoids, and so forth. One debate that rages within the medicinal marijuana blogosphere is whether to “go organic” or “go hydroponic” or both. We’ll dive into the debate and give you the bullet-point summary.

Organic

Organic, natural cannabis is grown without the use of toxic pesticides, nutrient-challenged soil, artificial nutrients, and chemical fertilizers. People have different ideas about what exactly constitutes “organic” or “natural,” but essentially farmers eschew using mined phosphate, chloride, many mineral salts, many fertilizers, and other components that could harm the plant and environment. Unfortunately, beyond these fluffy definitions – which sound good on paper – various standards apply to various types of natural growing. So consumers may not know exactly what they are getting, even if something says both “natural” or “organic” on the label.

Hydroponic

Hydroponic is about growing plants without soil. The plants are grown in a relatively sterile environment, so pesticides are not needed, growing times and seasons are extended, and nutrition can be optimized. Hydroponic marijuana growers utilize nutrient solutions that are rich in refined minerals. Micro organisms cannot flourish, since there is no soil, so these organisms cannot contribute potentially dangerous anti-nutrients and chemicals. And finally, advocates of hydroponic growing suggest that fewer natural resources (e.g. soil) are needed; therefore, the process is gentler on the environment.

Does it matter whether your medicinal marijuana is hydroponic, organic, natural, or none of the above?

This is the $6 million question. And while there are advocates of various schools of thought about growth, the reality is that the science is relatively nascent. In other words, it’s difficult to judge what’s healthy and what’s not because there is a lack of carefully controlled clinical studies on this stuff. Perhaps these methods are healthier for you or will deliver a more controlled, titrated high, but the science isn’t settled. Individual tolerances and preferences may vary widely.