By Fred Hernandez
Organically-grown cannabis flower offers a lot of benefits to consumers looking to minimize their impact on the environment and their body. While many growers believe they achieve better results with non-organic nutrient and fertilizers, other farmers experience better effects and aromas from cannabis flower grown using organic materials. Organically-derived nutrients, hormones, and soil create an optimal environment for cannabis plants to thrive, absorb nutrients, and grow rich in color and flavor.
Organic cannabis farmers also employ organic methods to improve their crop’s health. Like any other crop, cannabis is vulnerable to pests, diseases and many other microorganisms. An infestation of root aphids can feed on a plant’s roots, while rapidly reproducing spider mites feed on chlorophyll in the leaves. Farmers that use organic materials to remove pests are seeing dramatically better results in their yield Many consumers are also noticing a variety of benefits to derive from organically-grown cannabis.
Stronger Effects
Organic cannabis growers and health-conscious consumers report that cannabis grown organically is stronger in potency. Whether it’s the unique and organic nutrient mixes or organic methods used to remove pests, organically-grown cannabis has a more potent effect on users, which can be helpful to those treating their medical conditions with cannabis. Organically-grown cannabis consumers also note a higher concentration of trichomes (resinous hairs on cannabis flower) that are responsible for the psychoactive and non-psychoactive effects of cannabis.
Organic cannabis growers often employ a variety of environmentally-sound practices including spraying leaves with compost-and-eggsgell-tea to reduce pests. Reducing threats to the cannabis plants enables it to produce high-quality bud for you. Additionally, organic farmers use organic fertilizers that release nutrients into the soil at a slower rate, which reduces the chance of overfeeding the plant. This super soil delivers the right amount and types of nutrients and supplements to the plant for an optimal, and potent yield.
Better Flavor and Aroma
The potency, aroma, and flavor depend on the cannabis strain’s genetics and growing environment. Organic cannabis consumers notice a far better flavor and aroma compared to non-organic cannabis. The improved flavor likely comes from the use of organic materials. Cannabis plants require a nutrient-rich soil structure that leaves plenty of room for roots to grow and absorb nutrients. When the immediate environment boasts a healthy, organic soil, cannabis flowers produce a bounty of aromatic terpenes and terpenoids, as well as the therapeutic cannabinoids.
Farmers that use organic fertilizers have reported an increase in terpenes, as a result of creating their own blend of “living soil” or “super soil.” Super soil contains helpful microorganisms which break down and feed nutrients to the plant’s roots. Mycorrhizal fungi, for example, feed off carbohydrates released by the roots. This fungi grows in a net-like form throughout the soil, which captures moisture and nutrients and delivers them to root hairs. The synergistic environment created by organic microorganisms and soil helps the plant grow a high concentration of aromatic compounds.
Eco-Friendlier
While both organic and non-organic cannabis impact the environment in different ways, organically-grown cannabis focuses on sustainable growing practices that minimize the overall environmental impact. Sun-grown cannabis is, by far, the most environmentally-friendly growing method, but can’t be applied everywhere. Indoor cannabis grow rooms use a lot of electricity, but can use organic farming practices to reduce their environmental impact.
Using organic ingredients when growing can improve the micro-environment in the soil in the long-run. Organic nutrients are easily renewable and ecologically-sustainable, unlike synthetic fertilizers. A lot of energy must be spent in order to create synthetic compounds found in fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers can also reduce the soil nutritional quality forcing the grower to continue using non-organic fertilizers, which can runoff into nearby ecosystems.
No Toxins
Organically-grown cannabis does not contain any commonly-used pesticides that can cause harm when consumed. Smoking cannabis grown with pesticides can release toxins like hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen chloride into the bloodstream at an exponentially higher rate than if pesticides are ingested. Organic farmers avoid the issue by using strictly-organic substances that contain all the nutrients a cannabis plant needs. Farmers use materials including worm castings, organic composts, alfalfa, and more. By purchasing lab-tested, organic cannabis flower, you reduce your chance of inhaling hamrful toxins.
While pesticides may increase yield sizes and control pests, they can potentially damage everything from the human respiratory and nervous system. Pesticides can contaminate tools, ventilation systems, lights, and any grow space, which can end up in the final product. Organic cannabis farmers focus on reducing the introduction of harmful elements into the human body and the soil. Until definitive evidence proves the superiority of organically-grown cannabis, consumers should compare non-organic and organic cannabis to find their preferred choice.
