Cannabis Irradiation. What's it all about?

Similarly, pests such as Aphids and spider mites are also still a problem for large-scale growers. The only difference is that the commercial grower has more weapons in their arsenal to fight back against these threats.
 
 Irradiation is a process where cannabis is exposed to electron beams, x-rays and gamma rays to kill any harmful micro-organisms and sterilise the plant. Irradiation has been used since the 1950s for food crop sterilisation. Many commercial cannabis growers have now adopted it to prevent pests and diseases from attacking a growing crop.

 During irradiation, fresh food produce is treated with ionising radiation that kills Bacteria and pests that, if left untreated, can cause health problems and diseases, including E.coli, Listeria and Salmonella. 
 
 The legalisation of commercial cannabis growing in Canada and the 
 The USA has come with stringent health regulations and compliances that all cultivators must adhere to! Contaminant-free cannabis is significant for those using it medicinally or who may have a more sensitive immune system.

This means that the importance of limiting any potentially harmful microbes or diseases has become more critical than ever. It is estimated that over 80% of licenced produces use irradiation to 
guarantee approved weed!
 
Is irradiation something to be concerned about? The WHO (World Health Organisation) says no. Over 60 countries presently permit the use of irradiation, and at least 400,000 metric tons of foodstuffs are being processed via irradiation annually worldwide. 

One recent study into irradiation looked at the effects of 4 strains of cannabis with samples analysed pre and post irrigation for chemical composition, water content and flower appearance at a microscopic level. The results showed that overall, the strain profile quality was not damaged. There was no effect on THC or CBD levels whatsoever. 
 
Whilst Gamma-irradiation doesn't reportedly cause any significant changes to the composition of cannabis; there is evidence that terpene profiles can be negatively affected by the practice. A recent study suggests that irradiation reduced cannabis terpene's by between 10-20%. 
 
 As more people turn to medical cannabis as a viable therapy option, there's no doubt that we should embrace every means of safeguarding patients. For its ability to protect this ever-increasing demographic, irradiation has already proven an essential innovation that the cannabis industry has quickly and effectively embraced.

 However, the worry is that in some cases, irradiation may be being used more as a tool to disguise poor growing practices by encouraging a culture of cutting corners. The temptation to grow plants less responsibly may seem quite attractive when a producer knows that they can use irradiation at the end to tidy everything up. 

As cultivators, the goal should surely be to grow the best, and we as consumers should demand this. A plant needs lots of love along with the right conditions and elements to grow strong, healthy and produce top-quality buds. Irradiation has a place in making sure cannabis meets regulatory demands, especially for medicinal use. Still, it should not be used as a "catch-all" for bad growing practices.