With new light shed on the cannabis industry by a recent investigative report from The Los Angeles Times and WeekWeek, concerns about pesticide contamination in cannabis products have reached new heights. Alarming levels of pesticides, often exceeding state and federal safety thresholds, have been found in cannabis products sold across California, raising questions about consumer safety, industry ethics, and the need for stronger regulatory oversight.
California, home to five million monthly cannabis users, is at the heart of this brewing controversy. The investigation revealed contamination in over 250,000 vapes and pre-rolled joints, raising concerns about what’s landing on dispensary shelves. With cannabis sales in the U.S. projected to add $112 billion to the economy this year, it’s clear that while the industry thrives, the safety of its products may be getting overlooked.
Health Risks and Industry Pressures
One of the key issues exposed in the report is the serious long-term health risks associated with these pesticide-laden products. Profit-driven motives have spurred some growers and producers to prioritize higher crop yields over consumer safety. But as the controversy unfolds, it begs the question: What must be done to protect consumers? Are industry leaders doing enough to prioritize safety?
This is where companies like Jetty Extracts and Coastal Sun, pioneers of the “clean cannabis” movement, come into play. Both companies emphasize transparency, sustainable growing practices, and industry accountability, offering consumers alternatives to pesticide-contaminated products.
Coastal Sun: Pioneering Regenerative Cannabis Farming
At the forefront of the movement for cleaner, safer cannabis is Coastal Sun. Located in Santa Cruz, California, Coastal Sun operates a biodiverse central farm and was the first in the state to achieve USDA Organic, OCal, and EnvirOganic certifications. These certifications signify the company’s commitment to growing cannabis without the harmful pesticides that have come under scrutiny. Coastal Sun’s ethos revolves around using regenerative, organic practices that provide consumers with the cleanest flower and pre-rolls available, all while maintaining harmony with nature.
Darren Story, CFO of Coastal Sun, passionately advocates for systemic change in the cannabis industry. “Now is the time for our industry to rise above the practices which have become common in the food and drug manufacturing industries. We have to develop systemic approaches to wellness which heal our customers and set the bar for other industries to follow. Regenerative, organic growing practices should be the standard in cannabis, not the exception. As growers, we should be showing traditional ag farmers how to cultivate in harmony with nature and still be profitable.”
Story’s call for higher standards in cannabis is particularly timely given the recent findings, positioning Coastal Sun as a leading example of what the future of clean cannabis could look like.
Jetty Extracts and Coastal Sun are pioneers of the “clean cannabis” movement
Jetty Extracts: Leading the Clean Weed Movement
Jetty Extracts, another trailblazer in clean cannabis, has built its reputation on transparency and sustainability. The company has set new industry benchmarks with their solventless, live resin vapes, which are crafted using sun-grown cannabis. Jetty Extracts is among the first to achieve OCal and EnvirOganic certifications, which signal that their products meet stringent standards comparable to organic certification. Their commitment extends across their product line, which includes not only vapes but also pre-rolls, concentrates, and edibles.
Ron Gershoni, CEO of Jetty Extracts, explains the company’s commitment to consumer safety: “We are setting a new standard for quality and safety in the cannabis industry. Achieving OCal certification for our solventless vape is a testament to our dedication to providing consumers with pure, clean cannabis. Certifications like OCal are crucial for consumer safety, especially in light of recent recalls due to pesticide contamination. It’s imperative that regulators step up their efforts to protect cannabis consumers. By leading the way with OCal certification, Jetty Extracts is not only prioritizing the health and well-being of our customers but also advocating for higher industry standards and accountability.”
Nate Ferguson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Jetty Extracts, further emphasized the company’s mission: “Consumer safety has been a top priority of Jetty since the company’s inception. Jetty’s OCal certification is a testament to our consistent efforts to create the cleanest, most sustainable, and innovative products on the market. We are excited to give consumers visibility to what’s in, and not in their cannabis products.”
Kate Ransom, Director of Marketing at Jetty Extracts, highlighted how vital certifications like OCal are in building consumer trust: “Certifications, such as OCal, play a vital role in building consumer trust. I’ve seen this play out across industries. As brands face outdated regulations that fail to keep up with innovation, we must self-regulate, going above and beyond to establish standards that consumers can trust. By achieving OCal certification, we’re not only providing a product that meets these high standards but also pushing for greater consumer safety across the cannabis sector. Our commitment is to ensure that every product we offer is something our customers can rely on for both quality and safety.”
What’s Next for the Cannabis Industry?
As California’s cannabis industry faces this growing controversy, it’s clear that changes are needed. While some operators have cut corners in pursuit of larger yields and market share, companies like Jetty Extracts and Coastal Sun are showing that it’s possible to lead the market without sacrificing ethics or safety.
The question remains: will the rest of the industry follow their lead? Stronger regulatory oversight may be necessary to ensure that consumer health is prioritized, but as Gershoni, Story, Ferguson, and Ransom point out, it’s just as important for companies themselves to take responsibility for their practices. Clean cannabis isn’t just a marketing slogan—it’s a call to action for the entire industry.
