Spain: an increase in the presence of cannabis pollen in the air linked to illegal cultivation

An analysis of the air in the Spanish region of Murcia has detected a «significant increase» in cannabis pollen in recent years, indicating that the number of illicit cannabis crops in the region has grown from a «minor» issue to a more widespread phenomenon in recent years.

According to researchers at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, who have been tracking this substance for decades to determine the concentrations and origin of cannabis in the cities of Cartagena, Murcia, and Lorca, a single flower can release up to 350,000 pollen grains into the atmosphere.

Scientists have discovered that only a small amount of the particles comes from North Africa, a major cannabis-growing region, while most cannabis now appears to be produced locally, a fact supported by the increase in the number of illegal plantations dismantled in the region since 2017.

«The concentrations recorded in the three cities of the Region of Murcia increased proportionally between 2017 and 2020,», emphasizes one of the researchers.

Of the three, Lorca and Cartagena stood out, recording more than 80 pollen grains per cubic meter in the air in 2020, while Murcia reached a peak of 66. This represents a significant increase, considering that the cities recorded counts between 19 and 27 grains three years earlier.

Fortunately, researchers have concluded that the pollen levels recorded so far «are not high enough» to cause discomfort to those who may suffer from allergies, «although we cannot rule out the possibility that those living very close to one of these plantations may experience symptoms.»