The opening of Willow Industries’ cannabis remediation and decontamination facility in California is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for growers in the state to confidently pass microbial testing and avoid costly efforts to save product if it fails. The WillowPure Processing Center in Watsonville started operations in October, establishing a permanent home for the innovative Willow technology in the state.
Any licensed California cultivator, manufacturer, or distributor can take advantage of the processing center’s services, whether they are in the research and development stage, approaching harvest, or facing remediation after failed testing.
The WillowPure Processing Center arrives on the heels of changing requirements for microbial testing in California. With the introduction of Phase III testing, all cannabis flower is required to be screened for the following microbial pathogens: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, and four pathogenic Aspergillus species. (The targeted Aspergillus species include A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus.) The tests also cover moisture content, pesticides, foreign materials, terpenoids, mycotoxins, and heavy metals.
An entire batch fails if any of the 1-gram samples selected for testing comes back positive for excessive levels of the previously mentioned microbials. If a batch fails testing, growers have an opportunity to remediate the product, which means bringing microbial counts down to an acceptable level as per state regulations. Until the opening of the WP Processing Center, the only option for remediating contaminated flower was sending it to extraction, but this isn’t an ideal solution.
Even though processing flower into concentrates is an effective form of remediation (meaning it kills pathogens), the process significantly devalues the product, as flower carries a higher wholesale price than concentrates. The WP Processing Center addresses this problem by creating a new alternative to extraction: it’s a way for cultivators to remain compliant without having to compromise their bottom line.
The WillowPure system uses ozone gas as a decontaminating agent because of its ability to purify product without altering it. The WillowPure system ensures consumers can enjoy quality product with the peace of mind that what they’re smoking is clean.
Bringing WillowPure Technology from Colorado to California
Willow Industries is thrilled to partner with Strong Agronomy to offer a local, streamlined, and convenient solution for cannabis decontamination and remediation needs. The image below details the steps for working with the WillowPure Processing Center.
How it works
Flower will always be processed by a WillowPure product specialist trained to follow safety protocols and best practices developed through extensive research and testing. A Willow team member can provide further details about transportation arrangements, time frames, and other aspects of the process.
Contact us today to learn more about how your business can take advantage of the WillowPure Processing Center, California’s new option for clean cannabis.