Why cannabis quality is so important

Cannabis quality is not just a question of the active ingredient content. For medical patients, contamination with pesticides, mold spores, heavy metals or synthetic cannabinoids pose serious health risks. In Germany, medicinal cannabis flowers from pharmacies must meet strict GMP standards – recreational cannabis from non-regulated sources does not.

Important quality parameters in the laboratory

Medical cannabis in Germany: GMP standard

Pharmacy cannabis in Germany must be certified according to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice):
– Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) monitors
– Bedrocan, Bediol, state cultivation (BtMG license): all fully analyzed
– Certificate of Analysis (CoA) must be available for each batch

What should be on the CoA:
– THC/CBD mg/g (not only %)
– Terpene profile
– Pesticide release
– Mold spore count
– Heavy metal release

Recreational cannabis: how good is the quality really?

Cannabis from illegal sources has no quality control. Analysis projects such as SaferParty Zurich and drug-checking centers (Vienna, Frankfurt) regularly show this:
– 15-25% of samples contain pesticide residues above EU limits
– Common extenders: synthetic cannabinoids (NPS), lead, glass dust in hash
– THC content often does not match seller statements (±30-50 %)
– Mold due to improper storage: common in imported cannabis

Mold and immunocompromised people: critical risk

Aspergillus fumigatus – a common mold on cannabis – is largely harmless for healthy people. For immunocompromised people (cancer patients, HIV, transplant patients), an Aspergillus infection from inhaled cannabis can be life-threatening.

Study: Tashkin 2002 (Chest): Aspergillus spores detected on cannabis samples from Los Angeles. Recommendation: Immunocompromised persons should only smoke cannabis from GMP-certified sources and not smoke it (vaporizer at 170-185°C kills spores).

Drug checking: safety tests in Germany

Drug checking has been expanded since the legalization of cannabis. There are model projects in Frankfurt and Hamburg where users can have their cannabis tested anonymously:
– Rapid test: reagent strips for basic checks (NPS, heroin admixtures)
– Laboratory check: full analysis for cannabinoids, pesticides, heavy metals

FAQ: Cannabis quality and laboratory tests

Summary

Cannabis quality includes cannabinoid content, terpene profile, pesticide-free, mold-free and heavy metal control. Medical pharmacy cannabis in Germany is subject to GMP control with full CoA. Recreational cannabis without quality control regularly shows contamination in analyses. Mold on cannabis is a critical risk for immunocompromised people. Drug checking sites offer free anonymous testing. Consumption forms for safer inhalation; medical cannabis on prescription for GMP-safe cannabis.

What is “It’s Greenhouse”?

I love bees! Our editorial team even has a small bee meadow on the rooftops of Cologne with lots of herbs, wild flowers, vines and apple trees. A small oasis, but is it also possible in XXL?

We’re taking you to Spain today!

“It’s Greenhouse” is a European program that focuses on the sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in solar greenhouses. These greenhouses are specially developed facilities that use solar energy to grow plants. The program was launched by the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector association, HORTIESPAÑA, and aims to promote a responsible and environmentally friendly production model in agriculture. It is implemented in Spain and Germany and is supported by the European Union.

How solar greenhouses work

How do solar greenhouses work and why are they beneficial? Solar greenhouses use innovative technology that makes them so advantageous:

Environmental protection: fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers

In solar greenhouses, the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers is minimized. This is because these closed environments allow control over the growth of plants. This allows pests to be better monitored and controlled without resorting to harmful chemicals. This protects the environment from harmful chemicals and reduces soil and water pollution.

Health: fewer chemicals, better food

As fewer harmful chemicals are used in agriculture, the food produced is safer and healthier for consumers. No pesticide residues are found on the products.

Sustainability: energy-efficient into the future

Solar greenhouses are more energy efficient and can be used all year round. Using solar energy to control environmental conditions helps to increase resource efficiency and make agriculture more profitable and environmentally friendly in the long term.

Biodiversity! Welcome bees and ladybugs

Solar greenhouses not only provide a protected habitat for plants, but also for beneficial insects. These insects, such as bees and ladybugs, play a crucial role in biological pest control and pollination of plants. As no harmful pesticides are used, these insect species can survive and help to maintain biodiversity.

Why less pesticides?

The use of fewer pesticides in solar greenhouses is a key feature of this program. There are several reasons for reducing the use of pesticides:

1. Environmental protection: Not using synthetic pesticides protects the environment from harmful chemicals that can pollute soil and water
2. Health: Fewer pesticides mean safer and healthier food for consumers as there are no pesticide residues on the products
3. Biodiversity: The reduced use of pesticides promotes biodiversity, as beneficial insects can survive to combat pests
4. Sustainability: Fewer pesticides mean lower costs for farmers and enable long-term sustainable agriculture

Overall, the “It’s Greenhouse” program shows that sustainable agriculture and the protection of biodiversity can go hand in hand. Not only does it protect our environment, but it also helps to conserve endangered insect species and reduce the use of harmful pesticides. By championing such sustainable initiatives, we can make a positive contribution to protecting our environment, our health and our wildlife.

Organic Farmin Supersize: Solution for the planet?

Even in dry regions, tens of tons of food can be produced in this way.

My order list: Dry Food, Chew Stick, Mini Snack

Yarrah’s slogan: “Everything for the positive difference. For you, your pet and our planet” – the look of the Yarrah organic food shop reminds you a little of Ben & Jerry’s, the famous ice cream, where you also improve the world a little, for example through fair trade. You can find the products in pet stores but you can also order online. They have been producing organic organic since 1992.

What is the advantage of organic products?

Yarrah produces purely organic certified food. That means without chemical scents, colors, flavors, pesticides and GMOs (genetic engineering).

Order for puppies: 5 months

My order was specifically for my Pomeranian (5 months old). Among them a new package of dry food, directly 2 kg for stock and 2 snacks, a soft roll and a snack with a little more bite, for in between.

In summary:

• Dry food; especially for puppies
• Snack 1: Mini snack
• Snack 2: Chew stick

Tester: Peppa (editorial dog)

This is Peppa, Neppa’s sister, and together they make our newsroom love her! Mainly they love to eat and play the most of all. That’s why she’s the perfect Dog Food Checker!

Organic dry food for puppies

First of all, I wanted to treat my dog to a new dry food, this one is with organic chicken, MSC fish and peas. In my order I opted for a 2 kilogram pack. The packaging feels very high quality, not just cheap plastic but lightly coated for a soft touch.

Ingredients: Organic chicken, MSC fish & Co.

There are also a lot of differences in dry food, e.g. the consistency, as well as the ingredients. The dry food contains grain-free dry food and as described organic chicken, MSC fish, peas and algae. Especially for small dogs. But, pictures say more than a thousand words!

Photos and feeding test

This is what the packaging looks like and the dry food in the bowl.

Yarrah makes small, round pellets from the ingredients. Very pleasant for my puppy:

What does my little dog say about that?

The dry food was hardly in the bowl, it was already gone. Accordingly, no skepticism, no waiting, straight in! It has to be the same with dry food.

Tip! You should give your dog a variety of food every day, for example, I give wet food twice, in the morning and in the evening, and dry food at lunchtime. You want to buy your first dog? Read more about eating, times, walking and much more here: Buying your first dog.

Snack 1: Organic chewing stick

Now it comes to the little treats and highlights for in between! In my order I have chosen the organic chew sticks.

The rolls are a small, but still relatively productive snack for in between. Accordingly, you should not give a small dog, like my Pomeranian, too many large snacks. After all, he or she is still supposed to take care of the main meals. For a small, big snack, for example after a long walk, excellent to get power again.

• Organic Mini Snack
• Price: 2,09 Euro
• Weight: 33g (11g / rod)

Only a small disadvantage, the chew sticks are individually packaged, so have relatively much packaging. Especially when it comes to organic products, the packaging can be saved even more. But now we come to the ingredients.

Ingredients: Total meat content at 95%

The snack itself consists of 3 chew sticks with beef. In total, the total meat content is 95%. The three rolls together weigh 33 grams, each individual roll 11 grams.

Photos and feeding test

Snack test!

What does my dog say?

Snack 2: Organic Mini Snack

After we have looked at Snake number 1, now directly a look at number 2, the small snack for in between!

The mini snacks are for in between and really small, maybe half a centimeter in size. Perfect as a reward when your dog has done a good sit. The bag is relatively full! I think that’s good, because unlike snack number 1, you have little packaging here in relation to the content!

• Organic Mini Snack
• Price: 5,49 Euro
• Weight: 100g

Ingredients: 97% meat (beef, pork and chicken)

The snack itself consists of 97% meat (beef, pork and chicken). The whole snack bag weighs a total of 100g. So you can easily get by for a few weeks with a small dog like her! What does our dog food checker say about the organic mini snacks from Yarrah?

Photos and feeding test

Here again our tester, 0.1 second before snacking!

What does my little dog say about that?

Matching the size of the snacks, I of course put a “sit” into play, with the previous sniff, it worked great. The small snacks I have given her even in the evening, while I myself have eaten dinner. That is, for in between, very well suited.

Conclusion: Bio-Organic from Yarrah

Great snacks, a fair price and organic production since 1992. The delivery was fast. All in all: 4.7 / 5.0 from our tester! Plus, the good feeling and purely organic certified, so without chemical fragrances, colors, flavors, pesticides and GMOs (genetic engineering). Read more about Yarrah here and find these and new snacks for your dog online:

• Yarrah organic food

Your first puppy: guidebook

Buying puppies – What accessories do you need for your puppy around leash, bowl, sleeping place and food? Every year millions of little puppies are born and find a new home! Also with us there is now one or two little puppies: Neppa & Peppa. You are thinking about getting a dog? If you have time to spare and love, then a little puppy is something wonderful. But, what do you have to consider?! Learn here about the daily life with a little puppy: My first day with Peppa (Dwarf Spitz, or Pomeranian puppy), my first week and my experiences. If you’re thinking of getting a dog, here are the ultimate tips for the first week with your puppy and a few insider tips, like puppy pads, tips for walking and staying alone – all in the first week!

• Your first puppy: guidebook

Dog food: wet food, dry food, treats

Snack Ideas for Your Dog & Puppy – Dog Food – What is the best dog food on the market? What is the best dry / wet dog food? Which snack is the tastiest? I’m on the hunt pretty much every weekend for yummy snacks for my puppy. Since I’ve basically bought out my favorite dog specialty store a few blocks away, I’ve been on the hunt online. Here I am collecting new, interesting brands and snack ideas for you. My puppy is currently 5 months old, so you’ll be discovering more here as time goes on!

Pomeranian! Pomeranians as a pet

You want to buy your first puppy? Maybe even a small Pomeranian for you or your family? Then you surely have many questions! Here you will find the answers, among others to questions like “how much does a Pomeranian cost?”, “what do you have to look out for in a Dwarf Pomeranian?”, “how much does a Pomeranian shed?” and “how do you groom a Pomeranian?”. – First of all: Pomeranians are really cute as a button. Grown up they are only 25-30 inches tall and as a puppy, barely a handful of dog. Walking, peeing, Pomeranian care, our little guide to your first puppies!

• Pomeranian! Pomeranians as a pet