Third-party certifications promote safer cannabis

By Chris Van Hook*

Above: A Higher Standard Chris Van Hook inspects an outdoor California medical garden. Crop certification programs and rising industry standards are helping to ensure cannabis integrity.

Recently the USDA established an Organic Program to begin certification of agricultural products claiming to be “organic.” Its goal is to monitor and verify growing methods, ‘inputs’ used during production, and safe handling of agricultural products.

Many in the medical cannabis industry see the importance of a third-party certified-organic system for medical marijuana. Unfortunately, the USDA has found that medical cannabis is not eligible for USDA organic certification. Some in the medical cannabis community have requested that such a system be created. Liz McDuffie (mccdirectory.org) has been a leading advocate for a “Clean Green Certified” program, which is now available to both growers and handlers.

The Clean Green Certified program is based on many of the same cornerstones as the USDA Organic program. For growers, these include a review of inputs such as fertilizers and sprays; an environmental component, requiring environmentally sustainable growing methods; and annual on-site inspections, including the taking of labels for off-site product review where necessary; and verification of handling and processing methods.

For handlers, the program includes an application explaining the handling and tracking of product through the facility; on-site inspection verifying proper location, methods for tracking product handling, cleanliness, and safe handling procedures; and review of policies and procedures for screening of membership applications and verifying physician recommendations.

After the on-site inspection and off-site review, a compliance report and certificate is sent to the grower or handler, and all documentation is returned.

The certification process is a valuable tool for growers and handlers to ensure compliance with state and local laws. The inspector for the Clean Green Certified program is a licensed California attorney, familiar with the industry and applicable laws. The on-site inspection provides a safe setting for a grower or handler to ask questions and discuss compliance issues.

In today’s climate of rapidly changing laws and regulations, a third-party certification program can provide help and reassurance to growers and dispensaries.

* Van Hook can be reached at (707) 218-6979, or at cvanhook77@earthlink.net