Yo, fam! Let me tell you somethin’ ’bout that weed game out in Cali. You know how we do it—straight fire, no fake. Dispensary weed be on a whole ‘nother level, ya feel me? When you buyin’ from a licensed spot, you know they keepin’ it real and checkin’ for all that mold, metals, and those nasty chemicals that could mess you up. But what if you tryna go above and beyond, know what I’m sayin’?
This summer, the Los Angeles Times dropped some knowledge, sayin’ they found some exotic pesticides like chlorfenapyr in some licensed cannabis. Ain’t nobody got time to mess with that! If you wanna be extra safe, look out for that “OCal” label on products hittin’ the shelves. It’s like your badge of honor for clean weed.
What’s That OCal Label, Though?
Check it, fam. You ever seen that “OCal” stamp on your bud? That stands for “comparable-to-organic,” and it’s basically Cali’s way of makin’ sure you ain’t smokin’ on no bogus stuff. California taxpayers put in the work to get this system poppin’, so brands gotta pay independent inspectors to check their grows and hash labs. It’s like a whole vetting process, and you can bet your bottom dollar that synthetic pesticides ain’t welcome under OCal.
Caitlin Slay from the inspection company CCOF said it best: “They are literally identical to the national organic standards.” So you know they ain’t playin’ around. We talkin’ no GMOs, no toxic chemicals, and growers gotta take care of their water, soil, and trash like it’s their baby. All that sketchy stuff the LA Times found? Banned, banned, banned!
Dope Brands with OCal Certification
Brands like Jetty Extracts from Oakland be flexin’ that OCal certification with pride. They got some award-winning flower, vapes, and concentrates that keep it clean and sustainable. Just ask Nate Ferguson, one of the big dogs over at Jetty. He told Leafly, “Jetty’s OCal certification is a testament to our consistent efforts to create the cleanest, most sustainable and innovative products on the market.”
Other brands rockin’ that OCal status include Redwood Remedies up north, NoTill Kings down in Long Beach, and Coastal Sun Farm. When you see that OCal logo on the package, you already know what time it is!
How They Get That OCal Stamp?
So, how a brand gets that OCal certification? They gotta hit up two neutral, licensed companies: Envirocann and CCOF. These peeps have been doin’ it for years, certifying thousands of members across the continent. But don’t get it twisted—it ain’t easy. Brands gotta fill out mad paperwork and get inspected, but it’s all worth it for that clean stamp.
Why Street Weed Ain’t the Move
You might be thinkin’, “Ain’t all legal weed tested?” Not quite, fam. Unless your dealer is connectin’ on some higher levels, that street weed ain’t bein’ tested for pesticides. It’s like a roll of the dice. Dispensary cannabis is pre-screened for about 66 pesticides, but OCal certified weed is screened for almost 200! It’s a whole different ball game.
Plus, OCal weed goes through inspections, makin’ it harder to sneak in any shady stuff. It’s like a guarantee that you gettin’ that clean cannabis, ya dig?
Smoking Pesticides? Nah, Fam!
Now, some folks wonder if it’s bad to smoke pesticides. As far as we know, the FDA ain’t ever approved no pesticide for smokin’. Research suggests that smokin’ that chemically tainted weed could mess with your mind and even lead to health issues. Ain’t nobody tryna end up in the hospital, right?
How OCal Brands Grow Clean
So, how these brands growin’ their weed without pesticides? It’s all about that natural game, ya feel me? They use beneficial bacteria, ladybugs, and even bats to keep them pests away. It’s like a whole ecosystem up in there, and they doin’ it without bringin’ in the chemicals. Think of it like a garden party for nature!
Other Ways to Stay Clean
If you still worried about those pesticides, check for other certifications like Sun+Earth Certified. They got a long list of banned pesticides, and their standards go even harder than OCal with regenerative organic farming practices. Plus, they look out for the community and workers. You can also vibe with edibles or topicals to avoid the whole smokin’ situation.
What’s Next?
We just gonna keep adding more brands to that OCal list, and it’s lookin’ like this program could expand outside of Cali. Brands already expect OCal to hit other states, too. So keep your eyes peeled, and if you know any dope OCal brands, hit us up!
In the end, stay woke, stay safe, and always look for that OCal label when you shop. Peace!