Pesticide-Free Food? Try Clean Cannabis This Autumn

Autumn Brands Pioneers Pesticide-Free Cannabis Cultivation in California

As consumers increasingly prioritize pesticide-free products for health and taste benefits, Autumn Brands is applying similar clean practices to the cannabis industry. The women-owned, family-operated company, based in Santa Barbara, California, is setting new standards for sustainable, pesticide-free cannabis cultivation.

Founded by Autumn Shelton, chief financial officer and partner, alongside the Brand family—Hans, Johnny, and Hannah Brand—Autumn Brands has made a name for itself through a deep commitment to health, wellness, and environmental responsibility.

In an exclusive interview with Benzinga Cannabis, Shelton shared the company’s evolution from traditional agriculture to cannabis and the challenges they faced in running a pesticide-free operation.

From Daisies to Dank: The Bloom of Autumn Brands

Autumn Brands didn’t begin as a cannabis operation. Initially, the business grew Gerber daisies, but as competition from South America intensified, the team recognized the need to pivot. “My partner Hans had owned this property for over 30 years, and the cut flower industry was struggling,” said Shelton. “We saw the legalization of cannabis as an opportunity to transition. So, we flipped the operation from cut flowers to cannabis.”

Transitioning from flowers to cannabis cultivation was a significant step, but Autumn Brands didn’t stop there. Shelton and her team took a bold approach by deciding to grow pesticide-free cannabis—a rarity in the industry, even among organic growers. “Hans came to me in 2017 and said, ‘I want to stop spraying pesticides,’ and I said, ‘I love this idea, but how are we going to do it?’” Shelton shared.

After thorough research and substantial investment in beneficial insects such as ladybugs, the team finally succeeded in creating a pesticide-free environment. “We threw away tens of thousands of plants until the ladybugs colonized the greenhouses,” Shelton recalled. “And we’ve been 100% pesticide-free ever since.”

Pesticide-Free Cannabis: A Market Niche Ready to Grow

Shelton believes the market for pesticide-free cannabis is poised for growth as consumers become more knowledgeable about what’s in their products.

“People didn’t realize they were smoking cannabis with pesticides before legalization, but now they’re starting to understand the importance of clean cannabis,” Shelton said. She pointed to recent recalls due to pesticide contamination, which have driven greater awareness. “We’re seeing a movement toward more pesticide-free products,” she added.

However, scaling a pesticide-free operation remains challenging. “It’s more artisanal,” Shelton explained. “We’ve had to create this perfect ecosystem in our greenhouses where beneficial insects can thrive, but it’s not easy to replicate at scale. That’s why we’re still searching for partners who can match our standards.”

Scaling Sustainability

Running a pesticide-free cannabis operation presents significant hurdles, especially when it comes to pest management. “One of the hardest things was learning how to combat pests like mites without using chemicals,” Shelton said. “We had to figure out new ways to manage it without compromising the quality of our product.”

Despite the difficulties, Shelton highlighted the long-term benefits of going pesticide-free. “We’ve saved money by not having to worry about recalls or heavy metal contamination. It also creates a perfect ecosystem in the greenhouse where beneficial insects thrive, reducing the need for constant pest management,” she noted.

Expanding Beyond California: What’s Next?

Autumn Brands currently operates on five and a half acres of greenhouse space, producing cannabis flowers, pre-rolls, and wellness products such as pain-relieving elixirs. The company also offers self-care products, including those focused on intimate wellness, which is a growing segment of the market.

Although Autumn Brands is firmly rooted in California, Shelton revealed plans to expand beyond the state through licensing deals. “The flower side is a little more challenging because it is not easy to find operators who can grow 100% pesticide-free at scale,” she said. Nevertheless, the company sees significant opportunities for its wellness and flower products in other states.

Shelton also mentioned that Autumn Brands is building a hemp line focused on minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN, which are difficult to incorporate into cannabis products due to their scarcity. This new venture represents another step in the company’s efforts to innovate and meet market demand for diverse, high-quality products.

Learning From California’s Cannabis Industry

As a member of the California Cannabis Industry Association, Shelton has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the industry. “There’s been a huge disconnect between government and the industry, and I think that’s one of the biggest lessons other states can learn from California,” she said.

Shelton highlighted issues like over-regulation, high taxes, and oversupply, which have complicated the operating environment for many California cannabis companies. These challenges have driven some companies out of business and made it more difficult for smaller, independent growers to compete.

Looking to new markets, Shelton expressed her desire to expand into states that have learned from California’s regulatory missteps. “We’re looking at new state markets. Relationships are key for us—finding partners who share our ethos is the most important factor when deciding where to expand.”

The Future of Autumn Brands

Despite the challenges facing the cannabis industry, Shelton remains optimistic about the future of Autumn Brands. “We’re constantly innovating and looking for ways to expand while staying true to our values,” she said. “Whether it’s through our pesticide-free flower, wellness products, or hemp line, we’re committed to offering high-quality, clean cannabis to our customers.”

As consumers continue to seek out clean, pesticide-free options, Autumn Brands is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the cannabis industry, not only in California but also in new markets across the United States.