Producers who are federally licensed for the cultivation of cannabis, or who are in the process of applying for a federal licence, may apply for organic certification. To qualify for organic certification under the Canada Organic Regime (COR), a product must be an agricultural food product intended for human or animal consumption. Cannabis is not considered a food product and is not recognized by the CFIA as qualifying for COR certification; therefore, PACS has developed internal organic certification programs for the organic certification of legally produced cannabis.
The PACS organic certification program for Indoor Cannabis Cultivation (indoor containerized production), is based on the Crops Grown in Structures or Containers section of the Canadian Organic Standards. Following an initial inspection and successful certification review, a PACS organic certificate will be issued to the operation, provided they are a federally licensed producer. If the Health Canada (HC) licence has not been issued, receipt of an organic certificate will be withheld until the operation receives its HC licence.
The PACS organic certification program for Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation is based on the principal aspects of the Crop production section of the Canadian Organic Standards. Outdoor, in-ground, production is considered a land-based activity and is subject to a minimum transition period of 12 months within which 2 inspections must be completed. The land must also be freed of prohibited substances for a minimum of 36 months prior to issuance of an organic certificate; therefore, if prohibited substances had been applied during that time, the transition period would increase accordingly. An operation in transition will receive a letter indicating their transitional status and their organic eligibility date. Upon a successful inspection during the year of organic eligibility, pending their receipt of a federal licence for cannabis production, an operation will be issued a PACS organic certificate (note: the certificate will not be issued prior to the organic eligibility date). If the HC licence for cannabis cultivation has not been received by the date of organic eligibility, fallow land may be certified to BCCO program to maintain its organic status.