If you or someone you know, uses rolling papers, then you might find this article interesting and probably maddening. I found this rolling paper article in the latest issue, May/June 2007, #66 of Cannabis Culture magazine. The events occurred in May 2006 but I had not heard about it and thought that others may not have either. I will attempt to give you the short version of the article. Take it with how many grains of salt you wish but I personally don’t think this is fabricated news.
The world’s oldest rolling paper business, in Spain, was founded in the 1800’s and the first cigarette paper booklets first appeared in the 1860’s. Miguel y Costas Hermanos’ International brand “Smoking” was introduced in 1924 and the company adopted its present name, Miguel y Costas & Miguel (MCM) in 1929. MCM is now one of the worlds largest rolling paper manufacturers, producing the following brands:
Smoking (including Deluxe, Red, Blue, Green, Eco, etc.);
Bambu (Hemp, New Flavored papers, etc.);
Randy’s (paper by MCM, wires by CTC);
Mantra (new flavored paper);
Pure Hemp; Skunk; 4:20; Rips Rolls; Guarami;
Bugler Papers; STYX; and Bob Marley.
In May 2006, MCM was convicted of a “crime against public health” after a 6 year investigation. The judge in Barcelona Court #9 concluded that the director of MCM, Jordi Merchant, consciously allowed components like linen and hemp to be replaced by wood and esparto to save costs. Over time, smoking esparto, wood and inferior fibers can cause cancer of the larynx, lips and lungs and is banned from the production of rolling papers in Europe.
This news, the article says, is affecting potentially 25,000,000 North Americans. The contamination took place over several years and is just now being heard about. Not only are Bambu papers made prior to 2006 suspect in their composition, their flavored papers were very recently advertised in High Times as “100% Natural” and “All Natural”. May 10, 2006, Bambu wrote a letter to consumers, not about the discovery of carcinogenic materials, but that some of their papers contain saccharin, which is not a natural product.
I would suggest that you read the entire article if you can. It’s very eye-opening and angering at the same time. Time to switch to a glass pipe? Peace.
|
Hempcity Hotel |
Hempcity Webshop |
|||
