Massachusetts may allow organic pesticides on marijuana crops

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A bill is currently making its rounds to better protect cannabis farms

A bill was discussed by Massachusetts lawmakers that could help to clean up, and improve, the quality of cannabis being cultivated in the state. Legislation has been presented that would permit cannabis farms to use organic pest and mold control on their crops and is an attempt to reverse a law that was implemented last year by the state’s Department of Agriculture preventing all weed and mold killers.

The bill, House Bill 3543, was introduced by Representative Aaron Vega and would go a long way to clearing the air, as well as the crops. He explains, “We want to make sure that we’re providing a clean product in the cannabis industry, and right now that doesn’t include using clean, organic materials to make sure those products are clean.”

Last year, a company in the state was shut down temporarily because it had been found to have applied pesticides to its crops. That company, Good Chemistry, argued that it was only using organic solutions that were approved for other produce, and which shouldn’t be prohibited for cannabis.

If the bill is approved, it will make a change to existing laws on cannabis cultivation. Organics would be allowed to control mold and mildew, as well as pests, provided those solutions had already been given the green light by federal regulators for use on plants and food products. The legislation has already been approved by the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy and has received support from the Senate, as well.