When it comes to medicinal cannabis, quality, safety, and efficacy are key. That’s why it’s important to understand what PGRs are and why they have no place in products meant for therapeutic use.
What Are PGRs?
PGR stands for Plant Growth Regulator - a chemical substance used to manipulate how a plant grows. In agriculture, they can be used to:
- Speed up plant growth
- Control height and shape
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Encourage heavier or denser flowers
In cannabis cultivation, some growers use synthetic PGRs to produce dense, heavy buds that look appealing and increase yield. But while these buds might appear impressive, the use of PGRs can come at a serious cost.
PGRs: A Red Flag for Medicinal Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis is meant to help treat certain medical conditions, not compromise your health. Here's why PGR-grown cannabis is problematic:
1. Potential Health Risks
Some synthetic PGRs have been linked to harmful side effects. The most commonly flagged ones include:
- Paclobutrazol - may break down into nitrosamines, a class of known carcinogens.
- Daminozide (Alar) - banned on consumable food crops in many countries due to cancer risk.
-
Chlormequat chloride - may affect liver health in high exposure levels.
These chemicals were never intended to be inhaled or consumed by humans, and their long-term safety is questionable.
2. Reduced Medicinal Quality
PGR-grown cannabis often contains:
- Lower cannabinoid levels (like THC and CBD)
- Fewer therapeutic terpenes (which contribute to the ‘entourage effect’)
- A harsh or chemical taste
Medicinal cannabis patients rely on consistent, clean and therapeutic cannabinoid and terpene profiles. PGRs can interfere with that reliability.
3. Hides Poor Growing Practices
The use of PGRs can sometimes be a shortcut to hide subpar cultivation techniques. Instead of growing healthy, potent plants with proper nutrients and care, PGRs are used to artificially bulk up flowers, often at the expense of plant health and user safety.
We believe there’s room for positive change within the Australian medicinal cannabis industry. At Dispense Direct, we’d like to see greater transparency across the board, especially when it comes to how products are grown and tested. Patients deserve clear, honest information so they can make informed decisions about their health. The more open the industry becomes, the better outcomes we’ll see for everyone involved.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our team at 1300 420 965 or send us an email at hello@dispensedirect.com.au, our team is here to help.