Avicanna’s SMGH Gets Colombia’s First-Ever USDA Approved Organic Certification for Hemp Cultivation

USDA certification requires the brand to abstain from use of chemicals during the cultivation and growth process.

The new certification will make it possible for Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S. to export hemp derivatives to the US.

While Colombia is no stranger to hemp cultivation, considering it to be an organic crop has not been done before now. According to a recent announcement from Avicanna, the country's USDA has approved organic certification for Santa Marta Golden Hemp S.A.S., their subsidiary. This is the first organic certification for the crop, of which the company has already registered 15 strains.

Cultivation operations from the SMGH are now certified, which essentially means that any of its derivatives for use in food is now approved to be shipped to the United States, giving them an opportunity for export.

CEO Aras Azadian commented,

“Receiving the USDA NOP certification marks a significant milestone in our commitment to help set the highest quality standards in organic and sustainable cannabis cultivation, as we take another step forward towards becoming a global leader in the CBD industry.”

The CEO added that the brand expects that the milestone will move along their own growth, including the expansion of their plant-based APIs and bulk CBD formulas.

The USDA handles the production of organic materials, and their certification makes it possible for brands to include the USDA symbol on their products. The symbol confirms that the products consumers receive are free of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals.

All of the hemp cultivated by the SMGH will be 100% sun-grown and will possess the quality demanded by USDA organic hemp certification. The Chief Agricultural Officer of Avicanna, Lucas Nosiglia, is optimistic about the impact that the certificate can make. He said,

“Achieving this additional registrations not only expands Avicanna's genetic bank for commercial purposes but also reflects our commitment to work with a wide range of varieties that provide a new range of cannabinoids for our research and development projects.”

Nosiglia added that the certification will help with the progress of their breeding program.