We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Cannabis 101
  • Growing
  • Strains & products
  • CBD
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & tech
  • Industry
  • Reports
  • Canada
  • Podcasts
  • Leafly Lists
GrowingIndustry

Is Your Cannabis Organic? Clean Green Will Help You Find Out

Trevor HenningsPublished on June 4, 2018 · Last updated November 17, 2020
Growing medical marijuana plant, close up

Officially, cannabis cannot be “certified organic” due to federal laws that do not recognize it as an agricultural crop. As a result, the cannabis industry does not have access to USDA organic labeling. That’s why some companies are taking it upon themselves to create industry-specific standards equivalent to those of the USDA.

That’s where Clean Green comes into the picture. Described as “the closest you can get to organic,” Clean Green is a staple certification program available to cannabis producers and processors nationwide that allows consumers to identify products that meet “organic” standards.

To date, Clean Green is the largest cannabis certification program in the country. Since 2008, Clean Green has certified 175 clients and upwards of 60,000 pounds of cannabis a year—and that doesn’t even include trim and small buds processed for extracts and edibles. It’s currently offered in six U.S. states in addition to Puerto Rico, and will be moving into the East Coast and Canada later this year.

What Is Clean Green?

Clean Green was founded in 2004 by Chris Van Hook. Van Hook previously worked as a lawyer and organic certification agent accredited by the USDA. In 2003, he was contacted by a cannabis farmer who was looking to become certified organic, and while Chris wanted to certify the farmer, it was not possible under federal law.

So instead, Van Hook went on to create the Clean Green certification program, extending it to cannabis producers, processors, handlers, and products used in cultivation.

“It’s based strictly on what is considered the gold standard for the food and agriculture industry, which is the USDA standard,” Van Hook said. “No one can claim their cannabis to be organic, but you can become Clean Green certified if you are looking to adhere to the federal organic regulations.”

The “Clean Green Certified” Requirements

In order for a product to qualify as Clean Green certified, a producer or manufacturer must adhere to the following guidelines.

Input Products

All Clean Green certified cannabis or cannabis products must be created using pre-approved inputs that are also allowed under national and state organic programs. Inputs include:

  • Seeds
  • Clones
  • Soils
  • Nutrients
  • Pesticides
  • Edible manufacturing ingredients
  • All other products used to create crops, extracts, or edibles

Browse Growing Supplies on Leafly

By following the same rules as USDA products, Clean Green is adhering to globally trusted organic standards that are used in all other fields of agriculture.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries

Facility Inspection

Clean Green inspection occurs on a yearly basis. Inspectors identify issues with plant health, such as mold, mites, and other pest problems that impact the safety and quality of the product.

Being Clean Green certified also means that your facilities do not harm the surrounding environment. Inspectors monitor how water and electricity are sourced in addition to observing how the facility interacts with its surroundings; drainage, soil erosion, and the health of the bordering environment are all essential considerations of the inspection.

“All inspectors have the same qualifications or more than a county agriculture inspector,” Van Hook said. “They all have Bachelor’s degrees in agriculture or a related science as well as five years of experience in the industry.”

Final Product

Be it flower, extracts, edibles, or something else, the final product will be eligible for Clean Green certification if it is:

  • Free of prohibited inputs, mold, and pests
  • Packaged according to regulations
  • Paired with a tracking number

When a product comes with the Clean Green label, you can be confident that your purchase is clean, quality, and well cared for. Numerous Cannabis Cup awards have been given to Clean Green certified products over the years, striking a clear connection between clean cannabis and quality cannabis.

“To be standing with a farmer in their drying shed and the end of a good season and to be analyzing the quality of the cannabis as if you were in North Carolina looking in a tobacco shed is one of the most unique and wonderful experiences you can have as a person in agriculture,” Van Hook said, reflecting on his experiences with Clean Green.

As business grows, Clean Green aims to become the most widely recognized and trusted label among those looking for a healthy, quality product. It’s a business built upon passion for cannabis and sustainable farming as Clean Green seeks to protect and endorse the farms and businesses that go above and beyond the status quo.

Related Stories

An Introduction to Chemical-Free Pest Control image
Growing
An Introduction to Chemical-Free Pest Control
Trevor Hennings

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
Cannabis IndustryGrowing
Trevor Hennings
Trevor Hennings
Trevor is a freelance writer and photographer. He has spent years in California working in the cannabis industry.
View Trevor Hennings's articles

The latest in Growing

  • Leafly’s top 7 feminized seeds of 2025 image
    Leafly’s top 7 feminized seeds of 2025
    Leafly Staff
  • ILGM’s Home Grow Tour 2025 image
    ILGM’s Home Grow Tour 2025
    Leafly Staff
  • David Downs’ sickest weed genetics picks of 2025 image
    David Downs’ sickest weed genetics picks of 2025
    David Downs
  • Who is the cannabis breeder Barney’s Farm? image
    Who is the cannabis breeder Barney’s Farm?
    Jimi Devine
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.