Marihuana prensadaorcannabis prensado (pressed cannabis or marijuana), also known as ladrillo (brick weed)[1] or, colloquially, paraguaorparaguayo is a compressed cannabis cut into blocks that facilitate transport.
Sometimes brick weed is adulterated with other binding substances including industrial glues such as Neoprene, tar, ammonia, bitumen, petroleum-derived hydrocarbons, dog food or even human or animal excrement.[7][8][unreliable source] to make it cheaper, thus being of poorer quality. Its use is strongly discouraged due to the contamination and toxicity of adulterants.
People involved in the production of pressed marijuana often have little or no knowledge about cannabis cultivation, so, during the process, large amounts of trichomes (the most psychoactive part) are wasted, while leaves, stems and seeds are included,[8] which should be avoided. Little care is taken when the branches are left in the sun to dry them; As they are stacked on top of each other, moisture is retained and certain parts begin to rot, parts that will be negligently incorporated into the final product.[8] In some cases, marihuana prensada contains no marijuana, but grass.[9]
Despite its poor quality, its use is widely spread among the lower classes throughout South America.[10]
Marihuana prensada is the most harmful derivative of marijuana, being more toxic than natural marijuana. [9] It is difficult to determine the effects on the human body because its ingredients vary greatly depending on who makes it. In addition, at customs crossings at international borders, it is remixed with other products to mask the smell of cannabis.
The combustion of petroleum and mineral tar increases the risk of cancer in the respiratory tract. Neoprene, a glue considered a drug, contributes to further addiction to the product, especially if it contains toluene. In addition to serious neurodegenerative damage, it can also damage vital organs such as the liver, heart or brain, affecting cognitive function.[9]
^Gini, G. E. (2005). "Argentina en riesgo: cambios en la geografía de la cocaína". Estrategia para el nuevo milenio: Publicación trimestral del Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Estratégicos (in Spanish). 7. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Estratégicos: 63–89. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
