Don't Panic, It's Organic: Clean Cannabis

There exists a divide between those who value “organically” produced goods, versus those who favor “conventionally” produced versions. Complicating matters, what one person considers “organic” may differ greatly from another, and standards vary between the nonprofits and businesses that certify what is, or is not, organic.

The reasons for selecting organic options include fewer pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other nasties, resulting in cleaner soil and water, a reduction of risk for workers handling aforementioned chemicals, a cleaner product for the consumer, etc.

Some find the taste of organic agricultural products to be superior to conventional farmed ones. (No one is happy that the cost of most organic food is higher than conventionally produced ones.)

This debate is found in the cannabis industry as well, with the added twist that regulated programs such as Oregon’s have a list of banned chemicals and pesticides for which they test. And while the unregulated industry has an ongoing problem with large-scale operations often busted with a staggering amount of chemicals at the grow sites, there exist illicit producers following the strictest of organic standards. #notallgrowers

The subject of pesticides in cannabis hit a new watermark in June, with an explosive investigation by the “L.A. Times” and “WeedWeek,” the reverberations of which are still being felt.

They found 25 of the 42 cannabis products purchased at licensed dispensaries, tested by licensed labs, “showed concentrations of pesticides either above levels the state allows or at levels that exceed federal standards for tobacco. The contaminants include chemicals tied to cancer, liver failure, thyroid disease and genetic and neurologic harm to users and unborn children.” Up to 24 different pesticides were found in some individual products.

Vapes in particular fared poorly with five well-known brands containing “pesticide loads that exceeded federal Environmental Protection Agency risk thresholds for harm from a single exposure,” resulting in potential “irritation to the lungs, eyes and throat as well as rash, headache, diarrhea and abdominal pain.”

Since then, there have been product recalls, a class action lawsuit, the loss of licenses and a fundamental reassessment as to how the world’s largest adult-use market could let so many contaminated products reach consumers.

No one is actively seeking more pesticides in their cannabis, but finding a one-stop selection of organic products isn’t as easy as hitting the natural/organic aisle at the grocery store. But for Oregon and California cannabis buyers, there’s a new option available for those wanting an organized organic collection of brands and products.

A unique program by Sun+Earth Certified is looking to build on that grocery store model by offering an “organic products” section at dispensaries across Oregon and California. The pilot program is available at 11 Oregon dispensaries in Portland, Eugene and Salem, as well as numerous across California. It works with them in “creating dedicated areas within cannabis dispensaries for products certified by one or more recognized programs,” according to a press release.

It’s a solid win for everyone involved, but perhaps best serves the consumer who can learn much more about the growing practices of all the brands featured in one stop. And since “organic” means so many things to different people, specific certification makes those practices transparent.

The nonprofit has certified Oregon farms including 54 Green Acres, Green Bandit, Phoenix Rising Farm and Roganja, with dozens more in California. Certification not only benefits the farms, but products made using their flower can highlight the certification.

The program provides much-needed education — breaking down the carbon footprint of sun-grown versus indoor and what the principles behind regenerative farming are — but, wisely, does not delve into the minefield of: Which is better, outdoor or indoor?

Oftentimes, the organic options I have purchased cost no more than conventional producers. In fact, many sun grown (and Sun+Earth Certified) products are offered at a lower price. Buying organic cannabis supports growers and producers who share your values while providing top-shelf options. Seek them out.

This article appears in The Source Weekly December 5, 2024.