So you want to be a cannabis farmer, right? 6 Tips You Should Know Before Starting a Cannabis Farm!

When you learn that global cannabis industry sales are projected to reach $33.6 billion by 2025, you might be interested in receiving a slice of that retail revenue. While opening a cannabis store is one possible avenue, starting a cannabis farm is another you might consider so you can supply produce to multiple retail locations.

Creating your own cannabis farm is certainly possible, but it is not a quick or easy process. There’s also plenty of things you need to know before you hit the ground running, including some of the following information:

You need a cultivation license

You may already know it, but one of the first and most important steps to starting a cannabis farm is obtaining your cultivation license. Not everyone knows how to obtain a cultivation license, but it’s important to note that it can be a process that requires planning, time, ample financial resources, and an understanding of the most current cannabis laws and regulations.

Before approaching your state for a license, you must have a business strategy. It will outline your reasons for wanting a cannabis farm and whether you can turn it into a profitable venture.

Your business strategy should be detailed and include information on the permits and licenses required, the safety of the operation, how you intend to control odors, operational procedures and more.

You must also acquire proper property for your cannabis business, as licenses are tied to specific locations and not to the individuals applying for them. It can be an excellent idea to coordinate with experts to ensure they understand your requirements to ensure you are fully prepared to obtain a license and start your new grow operation.

Know your state’s rules and regulations

Cannabis laws are complicated because each state has a different approach to the 2018 law that legalizes, regulates, and taxes marijuana at the federal level. The more aware you are of your state’s legal requirements, the easier it will be for you to create a plan that will enable you to start your business in earnest.

California has the largest number of licenses approved in the country, with over 7,500 in 2021, compared to just 54 in Illinois, 143 in Arizona, and 223 in Maine. But California also has rules and regulations that all cannabis growers must abide by.

The Department of Cannabis Control in California has established many different rules such as: B. Packaging requirements to avoid contamination, product testing, ingredients and enforcement actions when rules are not followed.

They also have a checklist with a long list of documentation you need to provide, which means that even in the most relaxed state of affairs when it comes to cannabis use, you still need to provide as much documentation as possible to prove that your business operations can function within the limits of the law and be successful.

Understand ideal growing conditions

In addition to understanding your legal requirements, knowing the ideal growing conditions for cannabis can help you succeed in this new business venture. If you don’t understand how cannabis grows and thrives, you could be investing heavily in something that isn’t producing the expected returns.

Depending on your climate and where you live, there are two popular growing options. You can grow your cannabis plants like vegetables and other plants outdoors or indoors with artificial lighting. Some cannabis farms also work with soilless systems such as aeroponics and aquaponics.

Growing your cannabis outdoors is probably the cheapest option and can also produce the largest yields, depending on where you live. However, growing cannabis outdoors means you have to deal with adverse weather conditions and pests, so control measures can be crucial.

Marijuana prefers to grow in moderate weather between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It cannot thrive in temperatures below 60 degrees or warmer than 90 degrees. During growth, your watering needs can be minimal since marijuana is a reasonably drought-resistant plant. You may only need to water it every other day, but a shade cover may be needed if it’s exposed to too much direct heat.

Know your security needs

Cannabis is a valuable crop and there is a real risk that commercial cultivation could pique the curiosity of the opportunists living in your area. As you put together a business plan to get your cannabis farm license, don’t forget to plan for safety measures that would protect your farm and your employees. Safety is a requirement for all cannabis businesses in most states, including California.

Depending on your location, your security plan may need to include perimeter security, lighting, cameras, security personnel, and considerations for your floor plan, cash storage, transportation, and location access.

Consider health and safety protocols

As more cannabis farms open across the country, the cannabis industry is beginning to recognize many dangers that business owners need to address. Some of these dangers are:

• Exposure to pesticides and fertilizers

• Grow the UV light exposure of the lamp

• Carbon dioxide pollution in greenhouses

• Risk of burns and electric shock from devices

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• heat stress

As a potential new business owner, you may want to think about personal protective equipment and programs you can put in place to protect workers in cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. Some of these measures may include the use of respirators, gloves, eye protection and protective clothing.

Electricity costs can be high

Large indoor cannabis producers provide a quality raw product for many smaller cannabis product distributors, and while it can be a profitable endeavor, it can also be an expensive one. Electricity is one of the highest costs indoor cannabis farm owners face. You need to mimic daylight conditions in a building that spans thousands of feet, and that can cost more than renting the building itself.

According to reports, indoor marijuana growers use up to 200 times more energy than the average office building, costing tens of thousands of dollars each month. When you start figuring out the numbers for a potential cannabis farm, it can be worth comparing the costs of indoor and outdoor farming to see which option makes the most financial sense for you.

There’s no denying that indoor farms are the most common and popular, but there are other options available to you.

The cannabis industry is growing and many people are considering their options of starting their own cannabis farms. Before considering this a valid business move, take the time to review what the farming process looks like. Everything can start with creating a business plan and obtaining the appropriate licenses.

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