When it comes to cannabis, there is a world of difference between ditch weed and cultivated cannabis. Ditch weed, also known as feral cannabis, may resemble regular marijuana plants found in nature, but a closer look reveals important distinctions.
While ditch weed grows wild and tough, surviving in various conditions without human intervention, cultivators intentionally grow cultivated cannabis with specific traits in controlled environments.
Understanding the disparities between these two types of cannabis is crucial for those interested in their effects, benefits, and potential risks.
What Does Ditch Weed Look Like?
Feral or ditch weed gets its name because it’s wild and tough. It can survive in different conditions and is strong. Sometimes, people become confused when they encounter a tall and slim plant resembling a regular cannabis plant growing in nature. But if you look closely at its genes, you’ll see some important differences.
Cultivated weed is grown on purpose in organized indoor or outdoor areas. On the other hand feral weed comes from hemp seeds that spread naturally. These seeds are carried by the wind and end up growing in different places where they find good conditions. That’s why feral cannabis looks untamed and grows wildly.
It’s important to know that feral cannabis plants aren’t there because someone planted them or took care of them. They grow on their own because nature brought the seeds there. These plants show us how nature can take care of itself without people’s help. They adapt to their environment and keep growing no matter what.
Ditch or Cultivated cannabis
Ditch weed and cultivated cannabis may look somewhat similar, but they are actually quite different from each other. While they both come from the cannabis plant, they have distinct characteristics. Feral weed, also known as feral cannabis, comes from industrial hemp seeds that spread after the war in America.
This means that when you see it growing in ditches or other places across the Midwest, you’re actually looking at hemp, not the high-THC cannabis that people typically seek.
On the other hand, cultivators carefully breed cannabis intentionally for specific traits. In recent times, this often involves selecting strains with high levels of THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects commonly associated with weed.
So, if you consume cultivated cannabis, you can expect to experience noticeable effects, including the classic “high” that many people seek.
Ditch weed, however, is more likely to produce effects similar to low-dose CBD products. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis that is known for its potential therapeutic benefits.
While feral cannabis does contain some CBD and various aromatic compounds called terpenes, its cannabinoid content is minimal. Compared to the high-potency CBD strains available today, calling feral weed a CBD strain would be a stretch.
It’s worth noting that we still do not recommend consuming ditch weed.
It’s fascinating to see the diverse range of cannabis plants that exist and how they can vary in their chemical composition.
Understanding these differences is important for individuals who are interested in the effects and potential benefits of cannabis, as well as for distinguishing between different types of cannabis found in nature.
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Can I Smoke Ditch Weed?
When it comes to smoking cannabis, the experience of smoking ditch weed simply cannot compare to enjoying a well-crafted joint made from high-quality cannabis buds.
Smoking ditch weed will hardly produce any significant intoxicating effects. So, if you’re seeking the potent compounds found in marijuana, ditch weed should be your last resort.
Ditch weed lacks the THC levels that recreational users and medical patients usually seek. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the “high” sensation.
In contrast, ditch weed contains only minimal amounts of THC. Even in terms of CBD, which is known for its potential therapeutic benefits, there are much better options available. You can easily find high-quality CBD products that are legal at the federal level and have undergone laboratory testing, right at your local dispensary.
It’s important to note that consuming ditch weed may not provide the desired effects or benefits associated with cannabis. The low THC and CBD content make it a less desirable choice for recreational users and medical patients alike.
Instead, seeking out regulated and tested cannabis products ensures consistency, quality, and the ability to tailor the experience to individual preferences.
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Are There Risks to Using Ditch Weed?
It may seem like common sense, but consuming something found on the side of the road always comes with risks. This is especially true when it comes to ditch weed.
One should not mistake these unregulated and untested products for illicit market products. Because cultivators often grow and produce the latter with care, despite the absence of regulations.
The case of ditch weed is quite different. When consuming feral cannabis, you not only consume untested products, but you also utilize items that haven’t undergone monitoring throughout their growing season.
Cannabis plants actively absorb and accumulate chemicals or substances from their environment, earning them the designation of bioaccumulators. This mechanism is similar to how large fish like tuna accumulate high levels of mercury.
If there are heavy metals or other contaminants present in the soil where ditch weed grows, these contaminants can accumulate in the plant, including the smokable flower. Ingesting high concentrations of heavy metals can be unsafe for human health.
The concerning aspect is that we have no way of knowing what ditch weed may pick up on the side of the road or even in the wild.
This highlights the importance of consuming regulated and tested cannabis products. These products undergo rigorous quality control measures to ensure they are free from harmful contaminants.
By choosing regulated options, consumers can prioritize their health and well-being while enjoying the potential benefits of cannabis.
In conclusion, the distinctions between ditch weed and cultivated cannabis are significant. Ditch weed, also known as feral cannabis, grows in the wild from hemp seeds spread naturally by nature.
Recreational users and medical patients often seek cannabis strains with high THC levels and significant CBD content, which may not be present in this particular strain.
In regulated markets, there are high-quality CBD strains available that offer substantial CBD content compared to the strain being discussed. Smoking ditch weed may not provide the desired effects and poses potential risks due to untested and unregulated nature.
In contrast, intentionally cultivated cannabis offers a tailored experience with higher THC levels and the potential for therapeutic benefits. Opting for regulated and tested cannabis products ensures safety, quality, and consistency, promoting overall well-being for consumers.
If you want to read more information about cannabis plants, we can recommend you to read our articles “Male and female weed plants: What is the difference?” or “A guide to cannabis deficiencies”
