Pigs Fed Marijuana Plant Parts at Seattle Pig Farm Grow Heavier

Posted on June 2, 2013

Reuters reports that pigs at a pig farm in Seattle grew larger after they were fed cannabis leaves along with their regular feed. Four of the pigs at a farm owned by Susannah Gross were fed parts of marijuana plants. They weighed 20 to 30 pounds heavier than pigs that did not receive marijuana leaves to eat.

Washington state passed a ballot measure last November to allow for recreational marijuana use. The law included a measure that allowed excess cannabis stems, roots and leaves to be used as animal feed product. The Seattle farm was making use of the marijuana waste and grew larger pigs in the process.

These pigs were butchered in March and served at a Pot Pig Gig in Pike Place Market. People who ate the pot-fed pork reportedly found it tasted more savory than regular pork.

Modern Farmer reports that William von Schneidau, the butcher serving the pot-fed pork, has also experimented with berry-fed quail and vodka-fed pigs.

Matt McAlman, the medical grower who supplied the unused marijuana plant parts, hopes the idea catches on. He told Reuters, "We can have pot chickens, pot pigs, grass-fed beef."

As far as cannabis-fed animals go, the idea may not work with cattle. NPR reports that the European Union Food Safety Authority once investigated the safety of feeding cows hemp and found that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) made its way into the cow's milk.

Here's a video of the Pot Pig Gig event:

ANIMALS
PIGS