Organic Marijuana: What is it, Features, Benefits, How to Grow
Maybe you’ve heard of organic cannabis, maybe not. Either way, we’re here to share what makes it special and why you might want to give it a try.
If you’re looking for a natural, pure, and strong cannabis experience, you are in the right place. Organic-grown weed is a better choice for medicinal use as the plant and flowers are grown free of chemicals and pesticides. What you get is fully natural cannabis in all its glory.
Organic marijuana is becoming popular because it is a healthier option compared to industry-grown, mass-scale produced weed.
What is organic weed?
Organic cannabis cultivation mirrors the natural process of plant growth, like how plants thrive in your backyard, drawing nutrients from the soil, absorbing rainwater, and basking in sunlight.
More specifically, it refers to marijuana grown without the use of artificial products, synthetic fertilisers, additives, or chemicals. Instead, it is grown with the help of organic matter.
Consider pest management, for example.
Just as you might find insects nibbling on your garden roses, cannabis plants are also susceptible to pests. While large-scale farms often resort to chemical pesticides, organic cannabis growers adopt a more natural approach. Imagine ladybugs in your garden, diligently working to keep aphids at bay; this principle of utilising beneficial insects for pest control is applied in organic cannabis cultivation, ensuring the health and safety of the plants without using harmful chemicals.
Similarly, fertilisation is another crucial aspect where nature takes priority.
Organic cannabis synthetic fertilisers in favour of natural alternatives. Compost, worm castings, and other organic materials enrich the soil in an organic cannabis farm, similar to how you might nourish your home garden to yield plump, juicy tomatoes. These natural fertilisers provide the plants with essential nutrients, fostering robust growth without the downsides of chemical inputs.
All in all, organic weed means naturally grown weed.
Why buy organic cannabis?
Why should you try organic clean weed? Well, there are 6 great benefits.
Excellent quality
One of the best things about organic cannabis is its quality. The plant’s natural flavours and aromas can shine without chemicals and unnatural substances.
This means:
- Superb terpene profile: Properly grown and cured marijuana offers a broad range of terpenes, which greatly influence the experience of the flower.
- Delicious taste & aroma: Because it’s grown without synthetic substances, the natural flavours and scents of the plant are preserved and often more noticeable.
- Shiny trichomes: Trichomes are small bulbs which house cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Organic growing practices ensure trichomes come out in all their glory.
Free of chemicals & pesticides
When you’re trying to relax and enjoy your cannabis, the last thing you want is to be worrying about chemicals or heavy metals.
With organic cannabis, you don’t have to. It is grown without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides, so all you’re getting is pure, clean cannabis.
The plants get their nutrients from natural sources like compost, manure, bone meal, and even seaweed extracts. This ensures a healthy growing medium and optimum soil microbiome. Organic growth creates an environment where the cannabis plant can thrive. As a result, the plants can draw up all the nutrients they need to grow to their full potential.
This gives them robust, vibrant growth and results in a final product that’s just as nature intended.
Better yield
When we say ‘better yield’, we mean that organic cannabis farming can often produce more usable cannabis flowers from each plant.
This is because the methods used to grow organic cannabis – like preparing organic soil or natural fertilisers – are great for the plant’s overall health.
Using organic nutrients can introduce minor amounts of elements like chlorine, cobalt, nickel, and sodium into the soil, which are known to support the growth of taller and healthier plants.
Higher potency
Potency means how strong the cannabis is. And organic cannabis often packs a bigger punch. The natural methods used in organic farming might help the plant produce more cannabinoids.
Eco-friendly
Another big plus of organic cannabis is how it’s grown.
Organic farming methods are usually better for our planet. Less harmful chemicals mean cleaner soil, water, and air. In addition, they encourage healthy soil and a diverse ecosystem.
So when you choose organic cannabis, you’re not just choosing for your enjoyment but for the environment, too.
Healthier for you
Since organic cannabis is free from synthetic chemicals, it might be a healthier choice. Imagine picking an apple from your backyard tree instead of grabbing one that’s been treated with chemicals at the store. Which one sounds better to you?
It is the same idea with marijuana – especially if you are taking it to ease your pain, sleep better, or for any other medical reason. Even recreationally, chemically-grown weed & organic weed can lead to two contrasting experiences.
Similarly, using organic cannabis buds to make products like oils, edibles, and topicals can yield products of superior quality and potency. The purer the ingredient, the better the end product.
Is organic weed more expensive?
Yes, organic weed is expensive. This type of cannabis often comes with a higher price tag compared to its non-organic counterparts. This price difference can be attributed to several key factors inherent in organic cultivation practices, which demand more time, effort, and resources.
Cost of organic farming
Organic farming practices prioritize the health of the soil, natural pest control, and the use of organic fertilizers. These methods are generally more labour-intensive and costly than using synthetic chemicals.
For instance, managing pests with beneficial insects or handpicking them instead of spraying pesticides requires more time and labour. Similarly, sourcing high-quality organic compost or preparing natural fertilizers like compost teas can be more expensive than purchasing chemical fertilizers.
Certification and regulation costs
Organic cannabis producers often undergo a rigorous certification process to label their products as organic. This process involves compliance with strict standards regarding the use of synthetic substances and the overall cultivation process. The certification and regular inspections to ensure ongoing compliance add to the cost of producing organic cannabis.
Yields and efficiency
Organic cultivation methods can sometimes result in lower yields than conventional methods, which use synthetic nutrients and pesticides designed to maximize production. The lower yield, combined with the higher quality of the organic product, can contribute to the higher prices in the market.
Consumer willingness to pay
Consumers who opt for organic products are often willing to pay a premium for the perceived benefits, including reduced pesticide exposure, environmental sustainability, and potentially enhanced quality and taste. This willingness to pay more for organically grown products, including cannabis, supports the market for higher-priced organic options.
Market positioning
Organic cannabis is often marketed as a premium product. Producers highlight the careful, environmentally friendly cultivation practices and the absence of synthetic chemicals to justify the higher price. This positioning taps into a growing consumer demand for natural and sustainably produced goods, further influencing the cost.
While organic weed may be more expensive due to the mentioned factors, many consumers find the extra cost justifiable for its benefits. This includes a cleaner product, environmental sustainability, and support for farming practices prioritising health and quality over mass production.
Organic vs non-organic weed: A comparison
Choosing between organic and non-organic cannabis involves weighing factors like environmental sustainability, health implications, and quality of experience.
Organic cannabis is distinguished by its eco-friendly cultivation practices, using natural fertilizers and pest control methods that promote soil health and reduce chemical exposure. This approach supports biodiversity, minimises environmental harm, and offers users a product with potentially enhanced flavours, aromas, and therapeutic properties.
In contrast, non-organic cannabis, while possibly more accessible and affordable, relies on synthetic inputs that can degrade soil quality and pose health risks due to chemical residues. As the cannabis industry evolves, the preference for organic cannabis reflects a growing awareness of the importance of sustainable practices and the desire for a purer, more naturally cultivated product.
| Organic cannabis | Non-organic cannabis | |
|---|---|---|
| Fertilisers | Uses compost, manure, and other organic matter. | Relies on synthetic fertilizers. |
| Pest management | Employs natural predators and plant-based insecticides. | Uses synthetic pesticides. |
| Soil health | Prioritizes maintaining and improving soil quality through natural means. | Continuous chemical use can degrade soil quality. |
| Environmental impact | Reduces pollution and promotes biodiversity by avoiding synthetic chemicals. | Chemical runoff can harm ecosystems and water sources. |
| Health benefits | Reduces exposure to harmful chemicals, offering a cleaner product. | Potential health risks from chemical residues. |
| Quality and taste | Often results in a superior taste and aroma, with a richer profile of cannabinoids and terpenes. | Chemical use may affect the plant’s natural taste and potency. |
| Cost | Tends to be more expensive | Much cheaper and cost-effective |
How to grow organic marijuana?
Growing organic cannabis involves using natural sources for soil, nutrients, and pest management, aiming for a harmonious cultivation process with the ecosystem.
The practices are not that different from how you would usually grow cannabis – the only difference is being more in touch with nature. This involves using naturally prepared soil medium and compost.
Here’s a short guide based on what to consider.
Prepare the soil
- Rich soil composition: Start with a base of naturally rich, loamy soil, ensuring it provides excellent drainage and aeration to roots. You can add coco coir, perlite, or dolomite to improve the soil microbiome. This soil type mimics the plant’s natural habitat, promoting healthy growth.
- Organic enrichment: Enhance the soil with organic compost, introducing beneficial microorganisms and nutrients. Ingredients like worm castings, kelp meal, and bat guano offer a diverse nutrient profile that supports all stages of cannabis growth.
- pH Balance: Use a pH meter to check the soil’s pH level, aiming for a sweet spot between 6.0 and 7.0. Adjusting the pH within this range ensures nutrients are readily available to the plant.
Use natural fertilisers
- Organic feed: Transition to organic fertilisers such as fish emulsion, seaweed extract, eggshells, manure, food processing waste, and bone meal. These options release nutrients slowly, matching the plant’s uptake and minimizing nutrient runoff.
- Compost Tea: Brew compost tea to boost microbial life in your soil, enhancing nutrient absorption and strengthening your plants’ immune systems against diseases.
Employ natural methods to deter pests
- Beneficial insects: Introduce ladybugs and lacewings into your garden as natural predators of common pests like aphids and spider mites. These allies help maintain a balanced ecosystem without resorting to harmful pesticides.
- Companion planting: Grow companion plants such as basil, marigolds, mint, and chrysanthemums around your cannabis. These plants act as natural repellents for pests while attracting beneficial insects, and some, like legumes, enrich the soil with nitrogen.
Use sustainable watering practices
- Efficient watering: Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to the roots, reducing evaporation and preventing leaf diseases. Collecting rainwater can also be an eco-friendly watering solution.
- Non-chlorine water: If possible, use rainwater or filtered water to avoid chlorine and other chemicals found in tap water, which can harm the beneficial life in your soil.
How to buy organic cannabis
When buying organic cannabis, it’s important to research and verify the source. Although the organic label can be appealing, understanding the cultivation practices behind the product is crucial:
- Look for certifications: While the cannabis industry’s organic certification standards are still evolving, some growers may have certifications through third-party organizations that verify their organic practices.
- Ask questions: Inquire about the grower’s methods, including using pesticides and fertilisers, and whether they employ sustainable growing practices.
- Brand reputation: Choose dispensaries and brands known for their commitment to quality and organic practices. Some may provide detailed information about their sourcing and cultivation methods.
- Lab testing: Opt for products that have been lab-tested for pesticides and contaminants. This can provide an additional layer of assurance about the product’s purity and organic status.
- Opt for quality buds: High-quality organic buds often display a dense coating of trichomes, bright or deep colours, a rich aroma, and a clean taste.
Conclusion
So, is organic cannabis worth a try? We think so! It offers a natural, tasty, and eco-friendly way to enjoy cannabis. But don’t just take our word for it. Why not try it out for yourself? Check out some of the products we’ve recommended and see what you think. Happy exploring!