“Craft hemp” is one of those phrases that can either mean everything or absolutely nothing.

So let me tell you what we mean when we say it at FoxBud, and why we care so much about pesticides. Not in a fear-mongering way, just in a “we’re not pretending this doesn’t matter” way.

What “craft hemp” actually means

To us, craft means you’re not trying to win by doing the most. You’re trying to win by doing it right.

It looks like:

• growing in smaller runs so you can actually pay attention
• not cutting corners when something gets inconvenient
• taking the time to harvest, dry, and cure properly
• being able to answer questions without getting weird about it

Craft is less “fancy” and more “intentional.”

If a brand can’t tell you how it’s grown, where it’s grown, and what their standards are, it’s usually because they don’t have standards. They have a label.

Why pesticides matter, especially with flower

If you’re buying hemp flower, you’re buying something that’s going to be consumed. That means what’s on the plant matters.

A lot.

Pesticides are regulated in the U.S., and they’re not a free-for-all. EPA pesticide rules depend on the crop, the product, and the label. Hemp has been evolving as a regulated crop, and EPA has been updating what’s allowed and what tolerances exist for certain hemp uses.

That’s a big reason the hemp space can feel confusing. The rules keep changing. The product types keep changing. Some brands keep pretending none of it applies to them.

We’re not doing that.

Also, pesticide exposure can have real health effects depending on the chemical. Again, not saying that to scare anyone. That’s just reality.

What you should look for as a customer (because this is where people get played)

If you only remember one thing from this blog, remember this:

“Clean” is not a label. It’s paperwork.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

1) Ask for the COA for the exact batch you’re buying

A COA is a lab report. It should match the batch or lot number on your packaging.

If it doesn’t match, it doesn’t count.

2) Look for more than cannabinoids

A lot of brands only show a cannabinoid panel because it looks good on a graphic.

If you care about safety, you want testing that includes the stuff nobody wants to talk about, like pesticides and contaminants, depending on the product.

3) Pay attention to how they talk about growing

You don’t need a farmer’s essay. You just need a brand that can say, clearly:

• where it’s grown
• how it’s grown
• what they refuse to use
• what happens when something goes wrong

If every answer is vague, that’s your answer.

A quick NC note

North Carolina’s hemp pilot program ended, and growers moved into USDA licensing through the National Hemp Program.

On the consumer side, rules around hemp products have been under pressure and debate across a lot of states, including NC. So if you’re buying here, buy like the landscape can change, because it can.

What FoxBud means when we say “craft”

We mean:

• we’re hands-on with what we grow
• we care about what touches the plant
• we care about whether we can stand behind it
• we’re not going to sell something we can’t explain

We’re building FoxBud to be two things at once:
a craft grow, and a place people can come to learn without getting fed fluff.

Closing

If you’ve ever felt like hemp education is either hype or fear, same.

Our whole goal is to keep it simple: know what you’re buying, know who you’re buying it from, and don’t let “legal” be the only standard you use.