>>> Part 3 of 3...
most pests.  This also dries out the product -- again, the
cornerstone of control.  Marijuana should not be heated longer
than 10 minutes or 93 degrees Centigrade to prevent THC
oxidation.
CONSUMER CAVEATS
Immunosuppressed individuals and asthmatics should never be
exposed to molds, especially _Aspergillus_.  People using medical
marijuana should take extra precautions:
  
Ungerlerder et al. sterilized marijuana with ethylene oxide,
reporting no loss of THC from fumigation.  These researchers also
irradiated their dope with high-dose Cobalt 60 (15,000 to 20,000
Gray Units!) with no loss of THC.  *This method is not recommended
for novices.*
  
Moody et al. evaluated waterpipes for smoking _Aspergillus_-
contaminated marijuana.  Unfortunately, they found only a 15%
reduction in transmission of fungal spores.
  
In Chicago, goofy dudes spray their marijuana with formaldehyde.
This kills insects and fungi, but at a price.  The treated weed,
known as AMP, causes anoxia and psychomotor retardation when
smoked (Spector).  According to _Newsweek_ (Jan. 20, 1986), a few
ill-intentioned dealers dipped marijuana in rat poison or
insecticides like Black Flag or Raid.  They called this product
"WAC."  Indeed.  Have a nice day.
LITERATURE CITED:
* Babu, R., A.N. Roy, Y.K. Gupta & M.N. Gupta. 1977. "Fungi
associated with deteriorating seeds of _Cannabis sativa L._"
_Current Science_ 46(20):719-720.
* Kagen, S., V.P. Kurup, P.G. Sohnle & J. N. Fink. 1983.
"Marijuana somking and fungal sensitization."  _J. Allergy
Clin. Immunol._ 71:389-393.
* Kurup, V.P., A. Resnick, S.L. Kagen, S.H. Cohen & J.N. Fink.
1983.  "Allergenic fungi and actinomycetes in smoking materials
and their health implications."  _Mycopathologia_ 62:109-112.
* Llamas, R., D.R. Hart & N.S. Schneider. 1978. "Allergenic
bronchopulmonary aspergillosis associated with moldy marijuana."
_Chest_ 73:871-872.
* Llewellyn, G.C. & C.O. O'Rear.  1977.  "Examination of fungal
growth and aflatoxin production on marijuana."  _Mycopathologia_
62:109-112.
* Moody, M.M., R.C. Wharton, N. Schnaper & S.C. Schimpff.  1982.
"Do water pipes prevent transmission of fungi from contaminated
marijuana?"  _New England J. Med._ 306:1492-1493.
* Ramirez, J.  1990.  "Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis:  newly
recognized hazard of marijuana hunters."  _American Jounal
Medicine_ 88(Supplement 5):60N-62N.
* Smith, R.L.  C.A. Olson.  1982.  "Confused flour beetle and
other coleoptera in stored marijuana."  _Pan-Pacific Entomologist_
58:79-80.
* Spector, I.  1985.  "AMP: a new form of marijuana."  _J. Clin.
Psychiatry_ 46:498-499.
* Taylor, D.N. et al.  1982.  "Salmonellosis associated with
marijuana."  _New England J. Med_ 306:1249-1253.
* Ungerlerder, J.T., T. Andrysiak, D.P. Tashkin & R. P. Gale 1982.
"Contamination of marijuana cigarettes with pathogenic bacteria."
_Cancer Treatment Reports_ 66(3):589-590.
BOOKS
* Domsch, K.H., W. Gams & T.H. Anderson.  1980.  _Compendium of
Soil Fungi_.  Two volumes.  Academic Press, New York.
* Lucas, G.B. 1975.  _Diseases of Tobacco_.  3d Ed.  Biological
Consulting Assoc., Raleigh, NC.
* Margolis, J.S. & R. Clorfene.  1975.  _A child's garden of
grass_.  Ballantine Books, NY.
* Westendorp, G.D.  1854.  _Les Cryptogames_.  I.S. Van
Doosselaere.  Gand, Belgium.
==========
___
 X Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 X
--- Maximus 3.01
---------------