Ontario Cannabis Fieldnotes: Cultivating sustainable cannabis

“Healthy soil has a healthy soil microbiome, and that means growing a diverse selection of plants, not just cannabis,” says Marcus. Abide enhances its soil by planting cover crops like alfalfa and red clover, and by letting some fields lie bare for a time. They also add mushroom compost and manure to the soil, encouraging the growth of beneficial fungi and microbes.

While all the bacteria and fungi collaborate below the ground to produce better soil, humans at the surface — specifically the Abide team and researchers from McGill University in Montreal — work toward the same goal by investigating so-called “super strains.” And no, we’re not talking extra-potent bud: Super strains are beneficial microbes that enhance soil health and support sustainable agriculture.

The McGill team is also collaborating with Abide to improve the cannabis plant itself by identifying its signal compounds, a.k.a. plant hormones. These molecules coordinate communication between plants and soil microbes to help with growth. By understanding these signals, scientists hope to develop techniques for improving crops’ hardiness and ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), which fuels photosynthesis and growth, and removes greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

“We can use these signal compounds to help plants better withstand stress and absorb CO2 more efficiently,” explains Marcus.

Terroir and terpenes

Often used to describe the characteristics of a wine made from grapes grown in a particular area, “terroir” is the term for the environmental factors that influence a plant, such as the soil and climate. Growing outdoors means Abide’s cannabis expresses the unique characteristics of the Trent Hills, including its soil.

Outdoor cultivation also allows for greater diversity and abundance of terpenes. These aromatic compounds are present in cannabis and other plants. They contribute to taste and smell, and are believed to influence cannabis’s effects too. Sun-grown cannabis is particularly notable for better-quality sesquiterpenes, a specific type of terpenes associated with strong scents and flavours, like peppery beta-caryophyllene.

“Our cannabis is always beta caryophyllene–dominant,” says Marcus. “The other cannabinoids tend to vary. Our Lemon Sapphire is also high in myrcene and alpha-humulene and limonene. Our Blueberry Bliss shares these terpenes but is also high in terpinolene.”

Cultivating community

Soil isn’t the only place Marcus sees the benefits of a healthy community. “We grow outdoors organically and regeneratively, which is good for the land and also good for people,” he says. He recounts a recent dinner out at which the restaurant’s owner was excited to learn that Marcus was behind the Abide cannabis he buys. “People love that we are local and that our team is all from the community,” he says.

That community focus extends beyond the Peterborough area to all Ontario consumers. Abide’s pre-rolls come packaged in reusable and recyclable paper cartons to protect the product and reduce waste. This not only minimizes the packaging’s environmental impact but also allows customers to reuse cartons for other purposes, promoting a circular economy. Creams, oils and capsules are packed in sleek glass containers, showcasing the organic cannabis within while reducing plastic use. Meanwhile, Abide packages its dried flower in recyclable pouches that can be easily repurposed or responsibly discarded, further reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

A budding future

Abide’s commitment to organic growing, innovative research and community engagement demonstrates that environmental stewardship can coexist with cannabis cultivation.

While Abide’s long-term vision is to be a leader in Ontario craft-grown cannabis, it is using traditional methods to get there. Focusing on balanced cannabis strains with similar amounts of THC and CBD, Marcus says the goal is not to grow “super high-THC” products but rather to cultivate “super old-school cannabis” naturally and sustainably.