Mass. Bill Would Let Marijuana Growers Use Organic Pesticides

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill Tuesday that would permit organic pest and mold control for growing marijuana.

In 2018, the state Department of Agriculture said marijuana growers could not use pesticides.

According to published reports, the state temporarily closed a dispensary in Worcester last year for using pesticides.

Good Chemistry countered it was using organic compounds legal for use on other crops in Massachusetts.

Representative Aaron Vega of Holyoke introduced the bill, which would permit the use of organic substances on pot.

"We want to make sure that we're providing a clean product in the cannabis industry, and right now that doesn't include using clean, organic materials to make sure those products are clean," Vega said. 

The bill would allow organics to be used to control mold, mildew and pests on cannabis, as long as they've been OK'd for use by the federal government on flowering plants and food products.