Getting Back To The Roots With Regenerative Cannabis: All You Need To Know About California’s Award-Winning Certifications
You’ve likely heard of regenerative agriculture, but you might not know that cannabis is an ideal crop for this back to the roots practice. Regenerative cannabis not only yields high-quality buds but also offers better profits and greater consumer satisfaction.
Benzinga spoke with Andrew Black, executive director of Sun+Earth Certified and a leading expert in regenerative cannabis, to learn more about the essentials that every farmer and investor should know about this growing production method.
Proven Success With Regenerative Cannabis
Sun+Earth Certified has demonstrated that working with nature can produce remarkable results. Their certified farmers have become a dominant force in California’s cannabis industry. In 2024, six Sun+Earth Certified farms won 11 awards at the California State Fair, including six Gold Medals and the prestigious Golden Bear Award. These achievements highlight the effectiveness of regenerative organic farming practices, proving it’s not just about winning but about consistently producing top-tier cannabis.
What Is Sun+Earth Certified?
Founded on Earth Day in 2019, Sun+Earth Certified is a nonprofit organization that promotes regenerative organic cannabis farming. The certification is built on three core principles: Earth Care, Worker Rights, and Community Engagement. These standards encourage sustainable farming practices that protect both the environment and the communities involved in cannabis production.
Black, who transitioned from a USDA organic inspector to a regenerative cannabis advocate, has been instrumental in shaping Sun+Earth. His experience inspecting farms and food processors across the U.S. and Mexico gave him deep insights into organic farming. …