Cannabis was one of the first plants cultivated by man. For a long period of time, the few therapies available to the human species were plant-based. Due to its psychoactive effects, cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, however, studies of its properties and clinical potential have only recently begun.

With increasing acceptance, many countries debate how best to approach the issue and regulate substance use. This acceptance has led to a growing increase in the number of regulated cannabis plantations. Ozone, due to its numerous properties, is an indispensable ally for any cannabis plantation, because when technology is used to increase the means of production of a specific agricultural crop, it results in higher yields at a lower price.

Curious about it? Read the article below and learn more about how effective Ozone can be!

Ozone is an unstable gas that can destroy bacteria and virus. It is a powerful oxidizer and a potent germicide, with no risk of resistance, build up, immunity or toxic residues.

Ozone treatment is considered a safe and effective disinfectant tool for decontamination of water or air. The combination of microbial disinfection and effective removal of microorganisms makes ozonization an attractive alternative to clean surfaces, sterilizer facilities and equipment, as well as removes bacteria and virus present in the air and controls bad odors. There are many applications and potential uses for ozone in the cannabis industry, both in the growing and processing of cannabis.

Ozone possesses much higher disinfection capabilities than chlorine and other commonly used disinfectants. Because of its short lifetime, when it breaks, returns to its natural form of oxygen, leaving no residual. As this process occurs, the free atom of oxygen seeks out and attacks any foreign particles in the water or air, while destroying bacteria or any organic matter. During this reaction, ozone does not produce compounds like the toxicity of chlorinated compounds.

Cannabis is susceptible to a variety of fungi, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants. Ozone is an effective and proven disinfection method for treating water and air used in cannabis production to disinfect surfaces, equipment, recycle water for reuse, and control odor in and around the facility.  There are many applications and potential uses for ozone in the cannabis industry, both in growing and processing.

• • Cannabis Disinfection – Cannabis manufacturers need to put measures in place to ensure successful microbial testing so that the product that reaches consumers and patients is safe and of high quality. By sanitizing with ozone, the most stringent standards for mold and bacteria can be met. Ozone molecules are 2.5 times more effective than chlorine at tackling mould, pathogens, fungi and that dreaded bud rot and can kill a variety of pathogens that are commonly found on cannabis. After ozone destroys bacteria and mold cells, only oxygen remains, so no residue, chemicals, or solvents are left behind on the cannabis product. This organic process allows us to effectively decontaminate the product without altering potency, cannabinoid concentrations, or terpene profiles on cannabis. At the time of harvest, the final harvested product must meet specific standards of bacteria and fungi to be sold to the final consumer for consumption (there are specific standards and manufacturing processes regarding fungi and bacterial counts in the final products). Ozone can be used to ensure the disinfection of the final product to meet the most stringent standards for fungus and bacteria.

  • Exhaust and Odor Control – Ozone is extremely effective in reducing organic odors and is used in many odor reduction/elimination applications. The oldest and most common use of ozone in cannabis crops is for odor control. Placing an ozone system in the exhaust pipes of a ventilation system in order to capture the evaporated terpene molecules. Terpenes are the compounds responsible for giving cannabis a sweet and seductive aroma.

The spread of these pests in cannabis plantations is one of the major causes for the development of various diseases that lead to the loss of many plants and poor quality of the final product.

Solutions:

– Ozonized water for spraying the plants;

– Ozonized water for irrigation;

– Ozone gas to disinfect spaces.

One of the common factors for these problems is the quality of the soil and its poor drainage, in order to avoid this problem, the use of ozonized water in irrigation will not only oxygenate the soil but also eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungi or nematodes or other parasites who are housed there. Unlike other solutions to these problems, ozone does not change the pH of the water.

Fungus	Species	Description	Ozone Action
Botrytis	Allii	Pathogenic fungus that mainly affects the shoots in the flowering phase, producing necrosis of the parts it affects and of extremely rapid reproduction that can lead to the total destruction of the plant, in addition to being harmful to human health.	Susceptible to Ozone
	Cenerea		Fogging ozonized water at 3.8 mg/l for 2 minutes
Powdery mildew & Downy mildew	Pseudoperonospora cannabina	Common fungi, which can be confused and which manifest themselves in the form of white powder and which, if not controlled in time, can affect the sprouts which, in turn, cannot be consumed as they are harmful to human health.	Fogging ozonated water for a minimum of 2 minutes at concentrations of 0.7-1 ppm ozone
	Pseudoperonospora humuli
Fusarium Oxysporum	Lycopersici	Fungus with a great destructive potential that is generally transmitted to the plant through water, substrate, infected tools or cuttings.	1,1 mg/l for 10 minutes
	Molonogea		99,99% destruction at 1.1 mg/l for 20 minutes
Phytophthora	Erythroseptica	Fungus, also known as popping root rot, usually appears due to excessive watering, poor drainage, and attack by small insects and other organisms that damage the roots and cause them to begin to rot.	Susceptible to Ozone through irrigation with ozonated water
	Parasitic		3,8 mg/l for 2 minutes
Verticillium		Fungus that causes symptoms on the plant, like the Fusarium fungus, although it is less common. This fungus obstructs the plant's xylem, causing the flow of nutrients to be blocked and the plant not to receive food.	Susceptible to Ozone through irrigation with ozonated water
Sclerotinia	Rolfsii	Fungus that appears on plants as white cotton-like mycelium on the stems and spreads to the roots, causing the affected area to rot and the leaves to wither. Preventive measures such as cleaning and hygiene of the cultivation site, soils with good drainage and adequate ventilation help to avoid wounds on the plant that facilitate the penetration of the fungus.	Susceptible to Ozone through irrigation with ozonated water and disinfection of the space with ozone gas
	Sclerotiorum
Pythium	Ultimum	Parasitic fungus that penetrates the plant through the roots, seriously affecting its vascular system and preventing the plant from receiving food properly.	Susceptible to Ozone through irrigation with ozonated wate
Alternaria	Solani	Common fungus that is found in the environment and that affects plants, as its spores are carried by the wind and proliferate in decomposing remains.	Susceptible to Ozone through irrigation with ozonated wate

• • Powerful and effective disinfectant

  • Kill Bacteria, Fungi, Mould and Powdery Mould Spores;

  • Prevent Bud Rot;

  • Kill Spider Mites and all other pest insects and destroy their colonies;

  • Kill Mildew;

  • Eliminate Microbes, Algae & Root-Born Pathogens;

  • Its strong oxidizing properties make ozone one of the most efficient and fastest microbicides;

  • Disinfection treatment of water and air;

  • Prevents the regrowth of microorganisms after ozonization, unlike ultraviolet and chlorine disinfection;

  • It is more effective than chlorine in destroying virus and bacteria;

  • Ozone decomposes rapidly – no harmful chemical residues are left behind;

  • Must be generated onsite, it is mean that there are fewer safety concerns associated with shipping and handling;

  • No measuring, monitoring, or handling of chemicals;

  • Eliminate Hydrogen Sulphide;

  • Provides additional oxygen to the water and soil;

  • Removes odors permanently;

  • Promotes healthier plants;

  • Environmentally friendly.