There is a misconception out there that growing quality cannabis is not that hard, and not that expensive. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Sure, growing cannabis that is mediocre or awful is not that hard and not that expensive. But when a grower is trying to get a cannabis plant to produce at the highest level possible in the areas of quality and quantity, there is a lot that goes into it.
It requires a very specialized facility to keep bugs and disease out, and provide an optimal environment for cannabis plants to grow and thrive. Building such a facility is not cheaper. Some states are more expensive than others due to climate requirements and building codes. Per Biz Journals:
There can be extensive build-out costs in outfitting buildings for medical marijuana cultivation – and Arizona has some of the highest build-out costs in the country as a legalization effort could find its way on the 2016 ballot.
Jiyan Wei is the founder of BuildZoom Inc., the company analyzing building permit and construction data.
Wei and BuildZoom writer Greg Clifton found that behind Colorado – where marijuana is legal – Arizona has some of the highest construction build-out costs in the U.S.
Industrial cannabis gardens present unique obstacles and needs compared to other industrial facilities, even other gardening-based industrial facilities. Expect building code requirements to evolve with the growth of the industry, as well as security requirements and other requirements. If you are trying to become a large scale cultivator, make sure to research any provisions that you are required to follow, as they vary greatly from state to state.
Anthony Johnson
Anthony, a longtime cannabis law reform advocate, was Chief Petitioner and co-author of Measure 91, Oregon's cannabis legalization effort. He served as director of both the New Approach Oregon and Vote Yes on 91 PACs, the political action committees responsible for the state's legalization campaign. As director of New Approach Oregon, Anthony continues to work towards effectively implementing the cannabis legalization system while protecting small business owners and the rights of patients. He sits on the Oregon Marijuana Rules Advisory Committee and fights for sensible rules at the legislature as well as city councils and county commissions across the state. Anthony helps cannabis business comply with Oregon's laws and advises advocates across the country. He also serves as content director of both the International Cannabis Business Conference and the Oregon Marijuana Business Conference, helping share the vision of moving the cannabis industry forward in a way that maintains the focus on keeping people out of prison and protecting patients. He was a member of the Oregon Health Authority Rules Advisory Committee, assisting the drafting of the administrative rules governing Oregon’s state-licensed medical marijuana facilities. He first co-authored and helped pass successful marijuana law reform measures while a law student at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. He passed the Oregon Bar in 2005 and practiced criminal defense for two years before transitioning to working full-time in the political advocacy realm. His blogs on Marijuana Politics are personal in nature and don't speak for or reflect the opinions of any group or organization.
