Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
California's latest effort to legalize recreational marijuana has brought forth a massive interest in people who want to grow their own pot.
Growing cannabis from seeds requires extensive work and attention, but purchasing clones derived from an existing plant cuts down the cultivation process immensely.
The demand for clones has risen exponentially due to their relative ease, which has exposed a dark side to cannabis cultivation that involves the use of pesticides and other chemicals not suitable for human consumption.
"More and more, we find that our patients are looking for a reliable source of pesticide free, healthy clones, as they move towards growing their own in this ever evolving era of legalization," says Amy Welch, manager of Oakland's Phytologie Wellness dispensary. "We now offer a larger variety of the best strains based on feedback from patients and growers, including trendy strains such as Sherbet and strawberry banana, as well as staples such as Sour D, Grape Ape, and Headband."
Although reputable East Bay shops such as Phytologie, Harborside, and CBCB are known to provide clean, untainted clones, the scourge of pesticides in marijuana can be passed down to clones several generations removed from the original plant, causing trouble even for growers who already practice in organic cultivation.
"We have noticed even the most pristine crops, grown by some of the best growers in the state, sometimes fail pesticide tests. As a result, we started looking into the various chemicals known to be used on cannabis and other crops, and are learning that some pesticide applications, can go as far back as three generations," says Aundre Speciale, director of CBCB Berkeley.
"You can practice only organic or permaculture growing practices and still have your crop fail on a pesticide test, having used nothing at all, based on a pesticide application that happened on the clones you purchased," adds Speciale.
Systemic pesticides passed down to clones are a common occurrence when using chemicals such as Eagle 20, a popular fungicidal that can introduce a chemical known as myclobutanil into plants, which can be toxic when heat is applied.
"If you applied a systemic insecticide... then a week later you take cuttings, depending on the solubility of the systemic..., it probably would end up in those clones at some concentration," said Raymond Cloyd, a professor at the entomology department at Kansas State University, in an interview with the Cannabis Business Times.
The problem is big enough to dismay even the most reputable of cannabis cultivators.
"It horrifies me," says Nat, CEO of the farming collective Madrone California, who prefers to have his last name omitted. "A lot of cannabis is loaded with chemicals, sometimes testing over 60,000 parts per billion. That's why I love having a relationship with the lab. I don't smoke anything unless it's tested."
Nat notes that even the smallest trace of chemical pesticides are not welcome at Madrone.
"Some people may argue that testing parts per billion might be too strict, but that's like arguing to squeeze a dropper full of oil into the ocean. You just don't do it," says Nat.
While some growers fear the possibility of more stringent regulations, responsible growers such as Madrone and CBCB are embracing the idea of rigorous testing.
"First and foremost patient safety is our top priority. We welcome and employ the most stringent testing requirements in the state," says Speciale. "This is medicine and patients have the right to clean and safe medicine and we are happy to be able to provide that."
Speciale and other responsible cannabis providers believe that self-regulation is needed now in the industry before a regulatory commission officially comes into effect.
"This is a pretty new issue in cannabis, but we feel that the passing of MRSA and AUMA will definitely increase the demand for a clone source that supplies clean clones, so that the end result will be what the grower intended – clean, safe cannabis for consumers," says Speciale.
"We are working to stay in front of the issue and be ready as more growers understand the need for pesticide and disease-free clones."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: A growing concern: California's cannabis industry moves to keep clones free of pesticides - Smell the Truth
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: Contacts at San Francisco Chronicle - SFGate
Photo Credit: Smell the Truth
Website: SFGate: San Francisco Bay Area - News, Bay Area news, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds - SFGate
Growing cannabis from seeds requires extensive work and attention, but purchasing clones derived from an existing plant cuts down the cultivation process immensely.
The demand for clones has risen exponentially due to their relative ease, which has exposed a dark side to cannabis cultivation that involves the use of pesticides and other chemicals not suitable for human consumption.
"More and more, we find that our patients are looking for a reliable source of pesticide free, healthy clones, as they move towards growing their own in this ever evolving era of legalization," says Amy Welch, manager of Oakland's Phytologie Wellness dispensary. "We now offer a larger variety of the best strains based on feedback from patients and growers, including trendy strains such as Sherbet and strawberry banana, as well as staples such as Sour D, Grape Ape, and Headband."
Although reputable East Bay shops such as Phytologie, Harborside, and CBCB are known to provide clean, untainted clones, the scourge of pesticides in marijuana can be passed down to clones several generations removed from the original plant, causing trouble even for growers who already practice in organic cultivation.
"We have noticed even the most pristine crops, grown by some of the best growers in the state, sometimes fail pesticide tests. As a result, we started looking into the various chemicals known to be used on cannabis and other crops, and are learning that some pesticide applications, can go as far back as three generations," says Aundre Speciale, director of CBCB Berkeley.
"You can practice only organic or permaculture growing practices and still have your crop fail on a pesticide test, having used nothing at all, based on a pesticide application that happened on the clones you purchased," adds Speciale.
Systemic pesticides passed down to clones are a common occurrence when using chemicals such as Eagle 20, a popular fungicidal that can introduce a chemical known as myclobutanil into plants, which can be toxic when heat is applied.
"If you applied a systemic insecticide... then a week later you take cuttings, depending on the solubility of the systemic..., it probably would end up in those clones at some concentration," said Raymond Cloyd, a professor at the entomology department at Kansas State University, in an interview with the Cannabis Business Times.
The problem is big enough to dismay even the most reputable of cannabis cultivators.
"It horrifies me," says Nat, CEO of the farming collective Madrone California, who prefers to have his last name omitted. "A lot of cannabis is loaded with chemicals, sometimes testing over 60,000 parts per billion. That's why I love having a relationship with the lab. I don't smoke anything unless it's tested."
Nat notes that even the smallest trace of chemical pesticides are not welcome at Madrone.
"Some people may argue that testing parts per billion might be too strict, but that's like arguing to squeeze a dropper full of oil into the ocean. You just don't do it," says Nat.
While some growers fear the possibility of more stringent regulations, responsible growers such as Madrone and CBCB are embracing the idea of rigorous testing.
"First and foremost patient safety is our top priority. We welcome and employ the most stringent testing requirements in the state," says Speciale. "This is medicine and patients have the right to clean and safe medicine and we are happy to be able to provide that."
Speciale and other responsible cannabis providers believe that self-regulation is needed now in the industry before a regulatory commission officially comes into effect.
"This is a pretty new issue in cannabis, but we feel that the passing of MRSA and AUMA will definitely increase the demand for a clone source that supplies clean clones, so that the end result will be what the grower intended – clean, safe cannabis for consumers," says Speciale.
"We are working to stay in front of the issue and be ready as more growers understand the need for pesticide and disease-free clones."
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: A growing concern: California's cannabis industry moves to keep clones free of pesticides - Smell the Truth
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: Contacts at San Francisco Chronicle - SFGate
Photo Credit: Smell the Truth
Website: SFGate: San Francisco Bay Area - News, Bay Area news, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds - SFGate