Leading Regenerative Organic Cannabis Certification Launches New “Made with Sun+Earth Flower” Program
The vast majority of cannabis products currently sold in the US present no on-package labeling that explains how the cannabis was sourced and grown, and specifically what pesticides or other chemical inputs were used in its production. The “Made with Sun+Earth Flower” program will provide consumers with the confidence that their products were sourced from cannabis grown organically, under the sun and in the soil, without toxic chemicals. Notably, in its 2019 Cannabis Industry Report, the market research group TrendSource found that over 53 percent of consumers in the US are willing to pay more for organic cannabis products.
“The ‘Made with Sun+Earth Flower’ program is an easy-to-use marketing tool to help our farmers collaborate with manufacturers, extractors, and processors who care about the quality of cannabis they use in their products,” said Sun+Earth director Andrew Black. “By displaying our seal on products made with Sun+Earth Certified cannabis, we have an opportunity to inform and educate even more consumers about the healthy, Earth-friendly practices used by our farmers.”
Sun+Earth was founded on Earth Day 2019 by cannabis industry leaders, experts, and advocates with a common commitment to the pillars of regenerative organic agriculture, farmer and farmworker protections, and community engagement. Currently, Sun+Earth has certified more than 60 cannabis farms in five states: California, Michigan, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. To learn more about Sun+Earth Certified, go to: sunandearth.org.
“We are steadfastly committed to regenerative organic farming practices, which contribute to better health, more vital soil, and a smaller carbon footprint,” said Vincent Deschamps, owner of 54 Green Acres Farm, a Sun+Earth Certified farm in Southern Oregon and part of the new program. “But it’s difficult for small-scale farmers to compete with large industrial operations, whose cannabis products occupy a disproportionate share of dispensary shelf space,” continued Deschamps. “We’re excited for the ‘Made with Sun+Earth Flower’ program to highlight our important work and bring greater equity and fairness to the industry.”
No chemical fertilizers or toxic pesticides are used to grow cannabis certified by Sun+Earth, whose standards go well beyond the practices set by the USDA Organic program. Industrial indoor cannabis production consumes high volumes of energy and uses chemical inputs, whereas Sun+Earth Certified cannabis is cultivated on outdoor farms that strengthen habitats and build living soil. The rigorous standards set by Sun+Earth encourage the planting of cannabis alongside food crops, and the strategic use of cover crops, composting, and reduced soil tillage. Such practices help sequester carbon from the atmosphere, thereby reducing a farm’s carbon footprint.
“The ‘Made with Sun+Earth Flower’ program is much-needed and will open doors for regenerative organic cannabis farmers who are struggling financially,” said David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s, the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, and a long-time cannabis and organic advocate. “This new marketing program from Sun+Earth is an innovative way to level the playing field for family farmers trying to compete with large-scale, industrial cannabis producers who currently dominate the market.”
According to the cannabis data analytics company Headset, nearly 50 percent of cannabis sales are in the form of manufactured products such as concentrates, edibles, and vaporizer pens.
“We feature our farm partners on our packaging to showcase the source of our cannabis,” said Travis Turnsen, owner of Oregon-based Farmer’s Friend Extracts, one of the manufacturers embracing the new Sun+Earth program. “Consumers deserve to know what’s in the products they buy, and we are proud to highlight the incredible farms that our cannabis is sourced from,” continued Turnsen. “If given the choice, we believe consumers will prioritize cannabis products that are friendlier to the body, the soil, and the environment. We have found that cannabis grown organically, like flower from Sun+Earth Certified farms, produces high quality, full-spectrum cannabis oil that is clean, potent and terpene-rich.”
The launch of the “Made with Sun+Earth Flower” program includes educational and promotional materials, such as a new pocket guide, which will be made available to consumers at retail outlets that sell Sun+Earth Certified products.
