You have it in 1
@Olderfart .....
..that is Exactly what is happening.
Last Stats we got through the staff room said commercial medibles tested up to 20% mold.
The stats were lower for bud...off the top of me head I'd say 9%.....because it is harder to Disguise....as you found out..........
But the problem is so wide spread the have made a spray for commercial growers that makes molded bud Look salable........
So not only are you smoking/consuming moldy bud....you are also smoking the shite they put on it to make it look Good.