BOSTON — The Cannabis Control Commission has a very short answer for marijuana growers who ask the question, can I use pesticides?
No.
Massachusetts has very strict regulations when it comes to cannabis and pesticide use, organic or otherwise, even though cannabis plants grown indoors are vulnerable to spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, thrips, and leafhoppers.
In fact, last December the state shut down two medical marijuana dispensaries because pesticides were used on its crops.
"Pesticides are under the regulatory authority of the DAR so they are the ones that set regulations with respect to pesticide use," said CCC Chairman Steven Hoffman.
One local manufacturer of an organic pesticide says it is shipping lots of its product to marijuana cultivators out of state where they can legally be used, but not selling it here. Even though it is considered safe for use, even on food.
While it might seem cannabis plants grown indoors would be less vulnerable to pests, the opposite can actually be true because there are no natural predators in greenhouses. One grower we spoke with hopes the state will revisit the ban on pesticides before entire crops get wiped out.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE: Recreational marijuana coverage from Boston 25 News
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