Is Organic Cannabis Worth The Fuss?
Slim pickings- that’s what you had before cannabis, and organic cannabis, legalization. Back in the good old days, you had two choices: a shitty sack of stems and seeds that barely counted as cannabis, sold by your sketchy long-term dealer, or his other, slightly shittier sack.
Nowadays, you have far more options. From funky names like Purple Urkle to Alaskan Thunderfuck, there’s a strain to appease all of your needs.
So, where does this leave us with organic cannabis? Is purchasing expensive, organic cannabis products actually beneficial, or could this turn into another fad amplified by a capitalistic market?
What Is Organic Weed?
The cultivation of organic weed occurs when it is allowed to grow in natural soil without human interference. This process is performed without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. The growth of organic weed depends on natural soils, sunshine, and nutrients.
Health Benefits Of Organic Cannabis
Firstly, there is no such thing as FDA-certified organic cannabis because the federal government still considers it a Schedule 1 controlled substance.
So, organic cannabis growers and dispensaries began implementing their own set of rules. Some of the principles that growers must follow to get organically certified from third party agencies, such as Pro-Cert, include:
- They must use pure ingredients and prove that at least 95% of their product is organic.
- They can’t use prohibited ingredients that can harm human or environmental health.
- Must be produced without using artificial pesticides and fertilizers.
- They must meet certain packaging requirements to avoid causing damage to the environment.
Some of you may still be wary of growers cutting corners to gain a higher profit by falsely labeling their cannabis as ‘organic’. Well, as growers continue to create and build their reputations, the more likely it that they’ll need to provide proof for their product.
So, if you want to focus on a healthy way to consume cannabis, it’s better to buy organic. If you wouldn’t eat an apple grown and coated in harmful chemicals, then why wouldn’t you smoke organic cannabis?
Other Benefits
Apparently, organic cannabis tastes better than its traditional counterparts. The holistic approach to growing helps enhance terpene and flavonoid production, which affects the aroma, color, and flavors of the cannabis flower. So, when you smoke it, you’ll only taste the pure, wonderful bud.
Additionally, this product is better for the environment. Organic cannabis utilizes safe growing practices such as integrated pest management and natural soil amendments, and this helps minimize negative environmental impacts. Now you can have peace of mind knowing that your personal vices aren’t destroying our planet.
So, if you don’t want your flower to taste like pesticides and fake crap, you should consider pursuing organic cannabis. You’ll be able to enjoy the earthy and fruity flavors of your plant without that hint of chemical tang. Also, you won’t be jeopardizing nature’s soil integrity or natural animal and insect habitats.
Are there any negatives to organic cannabis?
Sadly, It’s A Little Pricy
A major issue that consumers are having with organic cannabis is its price. While low-grade cannabis can sell for around $300 per pound, higher-end cannabis usually wholesales for roughly $1800 per pound.
So, many growers and dispensaries are having trouble getting people to cough up the extra dough to get organic cannabis. While the prices seem high, it’s the cost of growing, taking care of, and packaging these unique plants.
However, some growers and dispensaries, such as Denver’s L’Eagle cannabis dispensary, are forced to cover the difference in price, and therefore, don’t make much of a profit. Sadly, this eventually forces a decline in the plant’s availability.
While it’s unsure whether the masses will jump on the organic cannabis bandwagon, it’s apparent that this product is quite the investment for the everyday stoner.
Growing Organic Marijuana
You can incorporate organic cannabis farming techniques into your home garden in a variety of ways, which makes it easy for beginners to get started.
A natural soil amendment is perhaps the most important first step to creating a healthy and sustainable growth. Clean and sustainable organic potting soil for marijuana is absolutely vital for ensuring your plants have readily available “organic” nutrients. Organic soil amendments include most types of compost, pumice, earthworm castings, kelp meal, perlite, bat guano, fish emulsion, peat moss, etc. These ingredients each serve a specific purpose and build healthy soil ecosystems.
This type of soil can be achieved in two ways. The first is to acquire the ingredients individually and mix them according to your tastes. For novice growers, pre-mixed organic soils can also be found in most hydroponic retailers that carry potting soils and can be found online as well. In most cases, and with the exception of frequent watering, pre-mixed soils are highly recommended for first-time cannabis growers. In organic soils, pH is rarely adjusted, nutrients are produced and delivered to cannabis plants naturally without the need for additives, and beneficial microorganisms help prevent pest damage.
In order to build a successful organic garden, you must ensure that your cannabis grows under optimum conditions. It should include a good spectrum of light, ideal temperatures and humidity levels, and good ventilation. Although many growers swear by gardening outdoors, if you must grow indoors, you need lights with the broadest spectrum and the hottest temperature output. Adding ventilation and controlling temperature can help offset hot lights.
It is vital to provide your plants with nutrient access and build the best possible environment for them to thrive. As this focus extends beyond the soil, it is best viewed as a tiny ecosystem you must maintain to reach homeostasis.
Bottom Line
Organic cannabis is slowly gaining popularity amongst stoners, but its price is holding back many prospective customers. While its health and environmental benefits are apparent, this may not be enough to push its popularity in the marketplace. The current demand for this product is not enough, and many dispensaries and growers are forced to pay the difference.
So, until organic cannabis can somehow decrease in price, I don’t see many casual, moderate or avid stoners jumping on this bandwagon. While it would be nice to see more organic options hit the shelves in dispensaries, this dream may still be years away.
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