The public comment period on what regulated organic cannabis cultivation will look like in California is coming to a close soon and we spoke with one of the people that was sitting at the table as the OCal regulations came together.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture was mandated to get the ball rolling on the program by January. Due to federal law, cannabis can’t go through the usual channels in becoming organic. Regardless of intention or mandates, the program the state has created is essentially what USDA certified organic pot will look like at a point in time down the line.
“The OCal program will ensure that cannabis products bearing the OCal seal have been certified to consistent, uniform standards comparable to the National Organic Program,” CDFA said when announcing the two-week comment period last week. After the comment period, they’ll have a few months to adjust things accordingly if there are any big red flags the community raises this week.
We reached out to the CDFA to get their take on the process but a spokesperson told us they do not provide comments on proposed regulations during public comment periods. But they did note the CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division’s OCal Program is intended to be comparable to the National Organic Program, “so it may be helpful to reference the National Organic Program Handbook for clarification” until they start talking about it again.
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