Worried about pesticides in cannabis? Growing organic may offer peace of mind

Over the years, there have been a handful of scientific studies published detailing the presence of pesticides, industrial solvents, growth regulators, heavy metals, bacteria and other potentially hazardous contaminants in commercially available cannabis products.

Jeffrey Raber, PhD, CEO of The Werc Shop in Pasadena, Calif., wanted to know more. Three years ago, Raber and his team tested 57 different cannabis concentrate samples, all of which had been submitted by medical cannabis users who were looking for more information on the potency and possible contamination of the medicine they were using.

 

 

Raber was concerned that pesticide and processing residues could represent a health risk. “That is why foods and agricultural products are regulated how they are,” he suggests. “We know long-term, consistent exposure to these chemicals is not good for our health.”

The results from the study by Werc, which provides scientific consulting and regulatory support services to licensed cannabis businesses, were disturbing. Over 80 percent of the cannabis samples were contaminated in some form, with many containing considerable solvent and pesticide residues. Residual amounts of isopentane, a solvent used to concentrate cannabis, were detected in 30 percent of the solvent-based “dabs,” while others contained traces of butane, heptane, hexane, isobutene, isopropyl alcohol, neopentane, pentane or propane.

About one-third of the samples contained pesticides and other cultivation chemicals. The most frequently found was paclobutrazol, a plant-growth regulator.

While the results raised concerns, Raber says, they also raised some serious questions. “How much of the contaminant needs to be consumed [to have an effect]? Are these agents always present in every batch? Do they remain present [in their original molecular form] or do they change upon combustion or vaporization? We need to answer these questions fully and properly,” he contends.

 

Worried about pesticides?

Organic production methods include integrated pest management, environmental controls and good hygiene practices

In the meantime, one effective way to ensure pesticides, solvents and other synthetic chemical contaminants are kept out of cannabis is to go—and grow—organic. Organic production methods, such as integrated pest management, would help reduce contaminant levels, says Raber.

Organic refers to the way the cannabis is cultivated and later processed. Organic growers do not use chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, industrial solvents, synthetic preservatives, artificial colours or other additives, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or irradiation.

He adds to the list consistent production efforts, good hygiene practices and good environmental controls (which Health Canada notes includes things like using starting cannabis material that is free of pests, mechanically controlling weeds during cultivation and sterilizing water and irrigation systems).

“Certified organic cannabis is grown free of synthetics. This means that you’re getting cannabis as nature intended it to be, without having to worry about ingesting harmful chemicals that are used to help other cannabis plants grow,” says David Perron, vice-president of growing operations at The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD), a federally licensed producer with production and research facilities in Ontario and Quebec, as well as production and manufacturing operations in Poland and Jamaica.

The system that TGOD uses to produce its certified organic cannabis is more complex than conventional growing methods. “We cultivate our living soil to re-establish the natural balance in our gardens and hybrid facilities. It’s through the soil that we can restore the organic nature of the plants,” Perron explains. “Soil is the way plants were supposed to grow.”

Nor does the company use any insecticides. It has “built a population of beneficial insects in our growing rooms to increase the diversity of biology in the cell and protect our crops from invasive pests,” he says. Organic growers typically use a variety of creatures, including predatory mites, rove beetles, nematodes, wasps and ladbugs to control pests.

This integrated pest control management approach “puts the plant in charge, enabling it to choose which bacteria, fungi and soil living organisms it teams up with,” he adds.

While an organic grower may recoup over the long-term their investment in energy-efficient and sustainable production methods, production and labour costs overall are likely higher for organic production.

While there are additional costs involved, “the systems we’ve developed allow us to produce as much, if not more, than conventional systems of production,” says Perron. “And from a business perspective, consumers have told us time and time again that they are willing to pay a premium for a better quality, cleaner product,” although he did not disclose an amount.

 

Can a person tell the organic difference?

Perron reports that some people say organic cannabis exhibits a richer terpene profile—the array of essential aromatic oils in the cannabis plant—which produce the distinctive aromas and flavours of lemon, berry, mint, pine and so on. He contends the company’s “certified organic cannabis offers a cleaner burn, better taste and a fresher aroma.”

 

 

Another advantage “is peace of mind,” says Perron. Having an organic growing process from start to finish, “our customers know what is—and most importantly, what isn’t—growing in their cannabis. In the end, it’s a better experience for the user and a cleaner production for the planet.”

If someone cares about the way their fruits and vegetables are grown and if they carefully wash their apples and lettuce before eating them, says Perron, they should care the same about their cannabis. “You cannot wash cannabis before you use it. Whatever synthetic fertilizers or pesticides were used to grow the cannabis are going right into how it’s consumed.”

 

Isn’t all cannabis organic?

The Licensed Producers Canada website shows that just 11 LPs report they produce their cannabis organically

No, not even close. As of Jan. 5, 2019, 126 cultivation licences had been issued by Health Canada under the Cannabis Act, with several producers holding licences for several sites. Of these, a search of the term “organic” on the Licensed Producers Canada website shows that just 11 LPs say they produce their cannabis organically, and only a handful have been certified by an independent accredited body.

It should be noted that certification of organic cannabis is not subject to the same regulatory regime as food products. Cannabis plants—as well as cosmetics, pet food and natural health products—are currently outside the scope of the Canada Organic Regime, overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and cannot use the official Canada organic logo.

However, CFIA notes that cannabis could be certified to an organic production standard outside of the regime. A certifying body—such as Ecocert, the Centre for Systems Integration or Pro-Cert, for example—can certify the cultivation process as “organic,” but do not certify the products themselves. That’s why some producers use the term “organically grown” on their packaging and websites.

It’s possible the situation could change, especially when Ottawa approves the regulation and sale of edible cannabis products. The CFIA plays several key roles in regulating the production, importation and use of cannabis, industrial hemp and their by-products, and reports it will continue to reassess the effects of new cannabis legislation on its operations and program delivery.

 

Buyers put “tremendous value” on organic

Organically grown cannabis takes more hands-on care and attention, although the true benefit is up to consumers to determine

“We cannot confirm whether organically grown cannabis is more effective at treating pain. Nor can we say it’s of higher quality,” says Ray Gracewood, chief commercial officer of licensed producer, Organigram Inc. “But we do know that a certain percentage of our patients place tremendous value on having the option to purchase organic, and we’re happy to be able to accommodate them,” Gracewood says.

Moncton-based Organigram produces both recreational and medicinal cannabis and has, to date, secured cannabis distribution agreements in nine of 10 provinces (Quebec is the only exception), in addition to its online medical sales. It is planning to launch its new line of organic recreational cannabis, ANKR Organics, later this year.

“Since our launch in 2014, we’ve evolved and grown so that today Organigram has as much or more experience in organic cultivation as anyone in the business,” says Gracewood. “Organics are a very important piece of our business and reflect our start as a medical supply company.”

In October 2018, the company announced that its medicinal cannabis-growing process had been certified “organic” by Ecocert Canada. (The mineral-grown cannabis is raised in a coco coir growing medium, derived from coconut husks, in a segregated part of the facility, while the organic cannabis is grown in a peat-based custom blend to promote the ideal microbial balance needed for plant growth.)

 

 

The year-long process of re-certification coincided with a major expansion of the company’s Moncton production facility to meet the anticipated demand for both mineral-grown and organic cannabis products. To obtain its organic re-certification, the company had to submit a comprehensive action plan, outlining its robust segregation plans to produce and process both product streams within the same facility.

“We can’t say that organic cannabis has ‘advantages’ over mineral-grown cannabis, from a production standpoint; organically grown cannabis takes more hands-on care and attention. In terms of advantage and benefit, that’s really up to the consumer to determine,” says Gracewood.

He adds that there are some inherent difficulties with going organic in terms of yield and production costs, and that it is also necessary to be proactive, rather than being forced to react when a pest management or other problem arises.

 

Moving beyond niche

Although organics are still considered a “niche market,” Gracewood says there are massive opportunities in the cannabis marketplace. Explaining that it’s a lifestyle choice, “those same patients buying organic cannabis usually opt for organic groceries and are typically more interested in how the products they use are produced,” he reports.

Though the market data for organic cannabis is not available yet, the Canada Organic Trade Association reports that families with children spend an average of 19 percent of their weekly grocery bill on organics and those without children spend about 12 percent.

Calling it a “macro-trend,” Gracewood says the number of consumers committed to a holistic lifestyle, making smarter decision and living better is “growing month after month after month.”

 

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