The WSDA is Considering Certification Program for Organic Marijuana

Washington may be in the market for a “Cannabis Coordinator” to act as the director for expanding the role of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in the marijuana industry. This role would give the coordinator the authority to oversee new programs to certify that marijuana is grown organically. Organic marijuana is important to many of the consumers in the state.

WSDA spokesman Hector Castro said, “There seems to be a consumer interest in that. We have done this for other commodities, obviously,” according to  Capital Press.

The State Liquor and Cannabis Board has overseen the regulations for the marijuana industry since 2012. Currently, the board checks products for proper packaging and tests marijuana for pesticides and pesticide residue.

A two-year budget proposal has been submitted to Governor Jay Inslee to assign the necessary programs to the agricultural department. All testing, inspections and investigations will reportedly be paid for by marijuana tax dollars. The WSDA asserts that its intentions of participation are to protect residents from unhealthy levels of pesticides and advertised potencies of marijuana.

Castro also said, “All of this is new – the pieces of the support structure for the industry are coming together.”

Washington’s fiscal year ended on June 30 showing marijuana sales almost reaching $1 billion. Statistics show that only the state’s apple and milk production crops totaled more fiscal year sales.

The newly proposed organic marijuana certification program requires approval before it can be put into action. Creative labeling would need to be devised as labeling marijuana as certified or organic wouldn’t be permitted as marijuana is still illegal federally. The USDA can only allow legal products to be labeled as organic.

The expected certification fee is $1,800 per operation. It would be considered as a “guarantee of integrity.”