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By Lydia Kibet

If you’re serious about growing cannabis (whether medical cannabis or for your business, or just for your own purposes), you’re in the right place. 

The average marijuana enthusiast knows the importance of a grower starter kit and will not delay throwing any subpar growing equipment.

This sudden shift in demand for high-tech growing starter kits has pushed manufacturers to introduce user-friendly, high-quality, and affordable equipment in the market.

These products are lightweight and come with a DIY manual, which makes the set up easy. After sampling several growing starter kits and comparing their features, we came up with the following:

1. TopoLite Hydroponic LED Light Growing System 
2. The Bud Grower Complete Indoor Grow Kit
3. HTGSupply 3×3 Grow Tent Kit
4. Gorilla Grow Tent (2’x4′) Led Combo Package
5. BloomGrow 36″ X20″ X63″ Grow Tent Kit
6. TheBudgrower 150W HPS grow kit.
7. TopoGrow LED Grow Tent Complete Kit
8. RecRoom Pro Indoor Grow Tent Kit
9. TopoLite Grow Tent Room Complete Kit
10. Oppolite Indoor Grow Tent Kit Complete Package

1. TopoLite Hydroponic LED Light Growing System

Getting a marijuana growing starter kit has never been easy, and TopoLite Hydroponic growing system has demonstrated excellence over the years.

This is what any marijuana grower would like to own from the simple structure to the high-performance features. The following are the outstanding features in this grow kit: 

Size:  TopoLite hydroponic tent measures 48x48x80 inches. The size is enough for small-scale marijuana farmers. The height allows the marijuana plants to attain the right height without trimming them. 

Material: One of the reasons why marijuana growing experts recommend TopoLite Hydroponic LED system is due to the highly reflective material. The 96% reflectivity prevents light from escaping from the tent. 

Duct fan: TopoLite also boasts of a noiseless duct fan. The duct fan ensures that you get adequate sleep, especially if you grow cannabis indoors.  

Easy access: Marijuana is a very delicate plant that requires constant checking. First, TopoLite Hydroponic tent has a pebble wing reflector, which tilts up to 180 degrees, allowing light to reach all plants inside the tent easily. Second, the tent has a convertible blast, which supports the grow lights at different angles. Third, you can view the plants inside the tent through the observation window.

2. The Bud Grower Complete Indoor Grow Kit

This marijuana growing starter kit contains most features that other indoor grow kits lack.

From the essential functions such as the fan, light, and tent, to sophisticated features such as potting and soil mix, this is the right kit for your marijuana. Here is an in-depth analysis of features that make this starter kit outstanding:

Size and strength: The Bud Grower tent measures 2 by 2 feet and a height of 5 feet. The considerable height is vital since the plant can attain its maximum height. The tent’s length and width are also standard in size, and you can grow several marijuana plants with ease. The frame of the tent is metallic, and this is vital for durability.  

The fan: The grow kit has a four-inch fan with five-speed controls to ensure that the marijuana plants receive fresh air. The fan also reduces the toxic gas produces by the plants inside the tent. 

Lighting system: The lighting system is another outstanding feature that people overlook. Here are some of the unique features in the Bud Grow Kit. First, the bulb is an HPS make, one of the most durable brands in the market. Second, the bulb has a power worth 150 watts, producing up to 17,500 lumens. The high-power output ensures plants located in the remote part of the tent still receive enough light.  

Extra features: The Bud Grow Kit has a BushDoctor’s Coco Loco Potting Mix and a bag of 5-pound ‘hot soil,’ which ensures that the plants receive all the necessary nutrients for growth.  

3. HTGSupply 3×3 Grow Tent Kit

HTGSupply growing kit comes with a complete set of accessories which make it plug and play. It has gained popularity among marijuana growers in the recent past due to its user-friendliness. Here are some of the unique features in this starter kit has. Getting a marijuana growing starter kit has never been easy. Here are the outstanding features of HTGSupply:

Electrical system: HTGSupply grow kit uses an electrical system that is multipurpose. First, you can use the electrical system to connect the LED grow lights in the growing area. Second, you can adjust the electrical system to use in removing excess water from the harvested marijuana buds.  

Temperature regulation: HTGSupply has an inbuilt thermometer that monitors the temperature inside the tent. If the conditions are not favorable, the thermostat adjusts the temperature for the marijuana plants’ optimal development.  

Ease of setup: Another outstanding feature in the grow tent kit is its simple design. You can easily set it up by following the user manual, which comes with the kit. 

4. Gorilla Grow Tent (2’x4′) Led Combo Package. 

Gorilla Grow Tent Combo is the starter kit every marijuana farmer would want to have. The combination of a sophisticated lighting system and temperature regulation makes this kit very reliable and productive. Here is an in-depth analysis of the features in the Gorilla Grow Tent Combo:

Regulation:  The Gorilla Tent uses a thermometer and duct fan to regulate humidity and temperature. The hygro-thermometer eases the process of detecting temperature and humidity levels inside the tent. The tent also uses air filters to manage the airflow inside the tent. Besides, the tent has a duct fan, which increases ventilation to provide a better environment for cannabis plants.  

Lighting system: Gorilla Grow Tent uses a LED light system that produces UV rays. The grow lights in this tent are also energy-saving.  

5. BloomGrow 36″ X20″ X63″ Grow Tent Kit

BloomGrow kit is gaining a lot of popularity, especially to novice marijuana growers. The sturdy fabric and high performance make Grow tent kit highly effective.  Here is a deep analysis of the features that make this tent a darling to many:

Waterproof: Growing marijuana outside is challenging, especially during the rainy season hence the need for a waterproof tent. BloomGrow tent has a waterproof canvas, which reduces the water from entering the tent. The intensity of rainwater also reduces significantly and gets inside the tent as a drip.  

Ventilation: The BloomGrow kit has air filters and fans to increase air supply inside the tent. 

6. TheBudgrower 150W HPS grow kit 48″x48″x80″ Hut

TheBudgrower is a household name among marijuana growers. Here are the following features to note about this starter grow kit:

Size:  TheBudgrower kit measures 4X4X6.5ft. The height allows the marijuana plants to reach optimal height. The large proportion of the tent also allows adequate air supply. You can grow up to 9 marijuana plants inside the tent. 

Soil: One thing that sets TheBudgrower starter kit aside from other grow kits is that it comes with soil to grow the marijuana plants. 

Extra features: TheBudgrower kit comes with a four-layered rack that you can use to process the marijuana buds after harvesting. Besides, the kit comes with pots for growing the marijuana plants. Other features in this kit include cementing jars, schnauzers, and twin clip fans.  

7. TopoGrow LED Grow Tent Complete Kit

Growing marijuana is getting easier, fancier, and popular among the cannabis enthusiasts, thanks to TopoGrow LED Grow Tent Kit. The kit is highly revered due to its ventilation combo, which comprises of grow tent, filter, grow light, and a fan. With these features, you can get high yields from your indoor marijuana. Here is an in-depth breakdown of outstanding features in TopoGrow Complete Kit:

The fan: The TopoGrow kit would be incomplete without discussing the fan system. The fan has an airflow of 190FCM to ensure that the marijuana plants inside the tent get optimal air supply. The fan system also features a carbon filter that measures a whopping four inches. The large size of the filter traps any odor produced by the cannabis plants inside the tent.  

Size: Describing TopoGrow growing starter kit would incomplete without mentioning the size of the grow tent. The tent measures 32″ x 32″ x 63″ which is the standard size for indoor growth. Using a larger size than this would mean that accessing some parts of the house would be hard. On the other hand, using a smaller tent would limit the number of marijuana plants to grow in it.  

Reflectivity: The internal part of TopoGrow LED Tent uses a diamond Mylar. The diamond Mylar is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water evaporating from the plants. With a reflectivity of 96%, the diamond Mylar in this tent is unmatched in quality. 

Material: TopoGrow has one of the sturdiest and thick materials among all the marijuana growing starter kits in the market. First, the tent uses a canvas fabric with a density of 600D. The Oxford canvas fabric and diamond Mylar maximize durability and light reflectivity in the tent, respectively.  

Lighting: When you grow cannabis plants indoors, you deprive them of a vital requirement for growth: light. The kit comes with a 300-watt, full-spectrum light. The lighting system ensures that the plants inside the tent get adequate light from germination too harvesting. 

8. RecRoom Pro Indoor Grow Tent Kit

If you are looking for a starter grow kit that you can use to grow marijuana immediately, RecRoom is the best. The following are outstanding features in this grow kit:

Grow light: RecRoom starter grow kit has a  600W LED grow light. The grow light produces full-spectrum light with UV rays similar to those produced by the sunlight. Despite the high-power output, the grow light only uses 320W of energy.  

Size: RecRoom grow tent measures 2 by 4, which can support several plants on a small scale comfortably.  

Extra features: Other features that come with the RecRoom kit include grow pots and nutrients. The grow pots are six in number and contain plastic saucers for durability. You can fold the pots after using them. The starter kit also features water-soluble Lotus Premium Hydroponic nutrients to ensure that the plants grow healthy.  

9. TopoLite Grow Tent Room Complete Kit

The TopoLite Grow Tent Room Kit comes with a grow tent, lighting system, and air regulation system. These features make the grow tent outstanding in many ways. 

Size and material: This grow tent measures 36″ x 20″ x 63,” which is large enough to support several marijuana plants. The fabric in this grow tent has a density of 600D, which is also lightweight. The light canvas material prevents light from escaping and, instead, is reflected in the inside of the tent.  

Lighting system: The grow tent uses a 300W grow light, which illuminates the entire tent. The light from the bulbs is full-spectrum and contains UV rays vital for the growth of the plant.  

10. Oppolite indoor grow tent kit complete package. 

If you are a relatively large-scale marijuana grower, you will find this grow kit valuable. The kit features a grow tent, lighting system, and air regulation.

Size and material: The Oppolite grow tent measures 96″X48″X80″. The large size supports several marijuana plants and allows them to reach their optimal height without straining. The Oxford fabric used in the grow tent has a density of 600D. The internal layer has a 96% reflectivity of diamond Mylar which is also waterproof. To further increase the reflectivity capacity, the metal rods have white paint. 

Lighting system: Oppolite grow tent has two grow lights made using COB LED. The lighting system uses six bulbs, whereby each one of them produces 200W of light. Besides, the light consumes only 360W of energy.  

Air regulation: This starter kit uses a fan and carbon filters to regulate the tent’s air supply. The carbon filters suppress the smell of marijuana from the plants.  

Features of the best marijuana growing starter kit

When choosing the ideal marijuana growing starter kit, you should ensure that it comprises of the following features:

Grow tent

The grow tent is the hub for keeping the other equipment and growing the marijuana plants.

When choosing a grow tent, you should consider its shape and size.

The two features play a vital role in determining whether the cannabis will grow with ease. If you are a small-scale marijuana grower, you should choose an equally smaller tent.

The same applies if you stay on the ground floor of a story building. The height of the grow tent should not touch the building’s ceiling as this could destroy the plants.

Grow lights

The lights act in the place of natural sunlight.

The main aim of grow lights in marijuana grow starter kit is to provide the plants with energy for photosynthesis. The grow lights also prevent the plants from stunting.

The grow lights in the starter kit should, therefore, illuminate light with the same properties as the sunlight.

It is also essential to check the power consumption of the grow lights. LED grow lights tend to consume less energy but produce more energy. 

Ventilation system

Growing marijuana indoors requires adequate ventilation.

First, ventilation makes sure that the plants grow in a clean environment.

Second, when the marijuana plant grows in an area with enough ventilation, their stems and branches grow stronger.

Third, ventilation ensures that the plants do not scorch their leaves from the extreme heat generated during photosynthesis.

The ventilation system contains a fan to supply fresh air inside the tent. 

Carbon filters

A filter is a vital part of the marijuana growing starter kit since it regulates the air supply in a tent.

The primary work of the carbon filter is to trap any bad odor from the marijuana plant. Carbon filters are a sure way to avoid the social stigma that people attach to cannabis growers.

Soil and nutrients

Soil is the primary medium of growing marijuana plants. Most marijuana growing starter kits come with soil for growing cannabis.

The manufacturers test the PH levels to make sure that the plants can thrive. In some cases, the manufacturers might provide nutrients. Nutrients are vital for the growth and development of marijuana, hence the decision to include them in the starter kit.

The nutrients in the starter kits should be beneficial to the marijuana plant and should not cause damage. 

Hooks and hanging elements

Many people overlook the importance of hooks and hanging equipment when looking for marijuana growing starter kits.

Partly, this is due to the perceived inconvenience of the hanging equipment, or lack of knowledge about their importance.

Hooks and bars keep the grow tent together. They also help in holding other equipment such as grow lights intact. A grow starter kit that contains hooks is more durable and can accommodate more equipment.   

Conclusion

The market is awash with substandard marijuana growing starter kits.

However, from the review above, you can identify the real growing starter kits in the market. Please note that each product in the market contains disadvantages. Therefore, you should emphasize the benefits of each product and compare it to the cons.

This strategy gives you the green light to go for a particular product. The features that comprise the ideal marijuana growing starter kit also play a vital role, and you should, therefore, focus on them more.  

By George Mouratidis

Like most people, cannabis plants are happiest when they’re in warm & sunny locations. If you’re an indoor grower, you need to find a way to maintain this steamy “temperate zone” in your grow space.

It doesn’t matter if you start with rock star genetics; you can’t grow bountiful buds in a lousy environment. 

Thankfully, there’s an easy way you could exert massive control over your indoor climate: invest in proper insulation.

Cultivators who have a well-insulated grow space enjoy superior bud production year-round. Adequate insulation could also slash your energy bills, enhance your grow lights’ intensity, and keep nosy neighbors from whiffing those “earthy aromatics.”

If you’re looking for inside info on grow room insulation, you’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’ll share a few common ways cannabis cultivators boost grow room insulation. Putting any of these strategies into effect will help you maintain an ideal growing environment.

Wait, What Are We Insulating?

Before we get into our insulation suggestions, new home-growers need a basic understanding of cannabis’s ideal climate. After all, what’s the point of insulation if you don’t know what you’re insulating?

Since cannabis likely evolved in temperate regions, it’s no surprise these plants thrive in areas with plenty of warmth, humidity, and sunshine. Although some strains could handle a chilly night or two, please don’t let your temps drop below 68° F.

In fact, most marijuana growers recommend setting daytime temperatures between 70 – 85° F. Usually, vegetative plants need higher temps than plants in the flowering stage. As for nighttime temps, aim for the upper 60s to low 70s for optimal results.

In terms of humidity, vegetative plants usually do well in an environment set at 60 – 70 percent. However, when plants reach the flowering stage, they typically perform best when humidity is at 45 – 55 percent. Please note: clones need humidity around 80 – 90 percent in their initial stages of development.

Different cannabis strains might have slightly different climate requirements, but the above ranges are reasonable estimates. It’s always best to research your specific seeds for more accurate temperature and humidity recommendations.

FYI: all of the grow kits on Everything But The Plant include a digital thermometer-hygrometer with easy-to-read temperature and humidity levels. If you’re new to home-growing, we encourage you to look through our complete grow kits by following this link.

Five Suggestions For Creating A Well-Insulated Grow Room

Now that you know the ideal climate for cannabis cultivation, let’s run through a few ways to insulate your growing space. Below, you’ll find five insulation strategies many home-growers use to great effect.

1. Zip-Up Your Plants In A Snug Grow Tent

Grow tents have come a long way in recent years. As marijuana cultivation becomes more mainstream, manufacturers are making innovative designs to help cultivators keep their plants nice and toasty. 

But grow tents do far more than keep your plants well insulated. Indeed, most professional grow tents have vents so you could easily recirculate air. This not only helps with ventilation, but it also ensures you have a way to cool your grow room’s temp.

As you explore the many grow tent models on Everything But The Plant, you’ll also discover most have Mylar coatings to increase light coverage and intensity. Professional grow tents also have high thread counts to help prevent light from escaping.

And don’t worry if you think your grow space is too small. Today, there are a plethora of grow tent sizes on the market that are sure to fit any grow area. You’d be surprised how many cannabis growers place these tents in their “cultivation closets!” 

If you’re in the market for a high-quality grow tent, please take a few minutes to look through Everything But The Plant’s wide assortment of products. For a full list of our grow tent catalog, please click this link. 

2. What Room Has The Best Insulation?

If you haven’t decided where you’re going to place your grow space yet, it’s worth considering the natural insulation of different rooms. Obviously, if you start with a well-insulated room, you could save yourself a ton of money and time from the get-go.

So, what room tends to have the best insulation? In most cases, it’s the basement. When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense, considering you’ve got the earth’s crust all around you! In addition to reliable insulation, basements are popular grow spaces due to their lack of windows, ample space, and stealth.

If you can’t grow your marijuana in the basement, you might consider using a grow tent in a closet or the garage. Although both of these locations aren’t exactly stealthy, they are usually easy to reach and have decent insulation.

As a word of warning, it’s never a good idea to create a grow space in the attic. Sure, this location is pretty stealthy, but it also has the worst insulation in the house. Also, who really wants to lug all of their grow equipment into this creaky area every day? 

Of course, all of these tips are merely suggestions that focus on insulation. Be sure to factor in other features like ventilation, space, and discretion when deciding where to plant your cannabis seeds. 

3. Consider Investing In High-Quality Spray Foam

Of all the insulation materials now available, polyurethane spray foam is held in the highest regard. Soon after contractors spray this foam in your home, you’ll be amazed how quickly it expands into all of the crevices in your walls. Since spray foam instantly molds wherever it’s placed, it’s sensational for sealing tiny air pockets.

In addition to providing a superior air seal, spray foam doesn’t retain water. This is significant for cannabis growers who need to create a humid environment. With spray foam, you won’t have to worry about air moisture getting trapped in your walls and causing costly issues like mold or bacterial rotting.

On the negative side, spray foam insulation tends to be a costly endeavor. Typically, customers have to pay a professional contractor between $1 – $1.50 per board foot for high-quality spray foam insulation. Although you might save money in the long-run, spray foam insulation demands a serious up-front investment.

FYI: if polyurethane puts you off, there are soy-based spray foams that seem to work just as well. Be sure to find a professional contractor in your area for more specifics on your spray foam options. 

4. Could Fiberglass Get The Job Done?

If you’re looking for an inexpensive insulation option, fiberglass is always a decent choice. Made out of recycled glass threads, fiberglass has a distinctly fluffy texture that’s often compared to cotton candy. Fiberglass is one of the most common insulation materials in homes…primarily because it’s dirt cheap.

Many people are drawn to fiberglass because it’s affordable, easy to install, and readily available at hardware stores. But there is a downside to using fiberglass in your grow room. Most notably, fiberglass doesn’t offer a 100 percent air seal. In fact, most buildings that use fiberglass lose about 30 percent of their internal heat.

Another drawback of using fiberglass is that it absorbs moisture. Since cannabis grow rooms have higher-than-average humidity levels, it’s essential to keep this feature in mind. While fiberglass may work fine initially, it could lead to mold and bacteria problems down the line. 

Despite these drawbacks, fiberglass will remain a popular insulation choice because it’s affordable and offers decent heat retention. Just be sure you’re comfortable with the tradeoffs associated with this material.

Pro tip: please avoid stuffing oversized pieces of fiberglass in your home’s panels. Although it might seem like you’re getting better coverage, you’re actually creating more air pockets. 

For more efficient insulation, you should measure the spaces where you need fiberglass and only cut pieces with about ½ inch extra. You could also use caulk to seal up any narrow cracks and crevices you notice along the way.

5. Ponder Putting Up PVC Wall Panels

In recent years, PVC wall panels have become one of the most popular choices in professional marijuana grow rooms. If you’ve seen pictures of medical marijuana facilities, chances are you’ve already seen these bright white panels in legal ganja grow rooms. 

Like spray foam, PVC panels are highly praised for their lack of absorbability. No matter how high you crank the humidity, these sturdy panels won’t harbor bacterial diseases or wood rot. Indeed, with proper maintenance, PVC panels should last years without signs of wear.

Another reason PVC panels are an excellent choice for grow rooms is they are naturally reflective. Each panel’s bright white surface helps intensify grow lights, especially LEDs. You’ll notice you get a lot more out of your grow lights when you place PVC panels around your grow space.

Although PVC panels are often associated with professional facilities, that doesn’t mean at-home growers can’t research this material. Who knows, maybe PVC panels are all you need to take your cannabis growing to the next level.

By Lydia Kibet

Cannabis growing is a thrilling experience!

The whole procedure of nurturing your plants from seed, vegetative phase, and flowering stage where you can smoke a bud is an excellent experience.

However, there are several things many marijuana growers overlook. The smell of weed! One issue that most growers have is the smell marijuana plants emit. If you’ve ever grown weed, I’m pretty sure you know the ‘skunk-like’ smell we’re talking about.

If you grow marijuana on a large scale, perhaps, you have this question in mind, how do I make my grow tent smell proof.

In this article, we’re going to talk about how to smell proof grow tent. Remember that marijuana plants produce a strong smell, and making a grow tent 100% smell proof is impossible, but you can achieve something nearly what you wanted. 

Making your grow tent smell proof has become an important thing for the majority of marijuana growers. This is because the majority of the growers are located in regions where growing marijuana is illegal, or weed is entirely unlawful.

Also, there are regions where pot is legal, but the social stigma among growers has pushed them to do indoor cannabis growing. Therefore, marijuana smell has to be contained. But, where does weed smell come from? Read on!

Why do Marijuana Plants Smell Strongly?

Marijuana plants emit a distinct smell. Interestingly, even those who don’t smoke know how weed smells. A pot plant is going to smell like nothing that has never crossed your nose before.

In fact, the smell is so potent to the extent that it may linger around your house, and people can smell it miles away.  But why does marijuana produce a potent smell?

Terpenes are chemical compounds linked to the odor of marijuana plants. 

Some people might think that weed smells only when dried, or when it is smoked. Well, that’s not the case. Marijuana plants start to smell a few weeks after growing. During the growth cycle of marijuana plants, organic compounds called terpenes are emitted, the reason behind the smell. Some weed strains smell much more potent than others, but all of them have a specific smell.

Generally, the more potent the weed strain, the heavier the scent produced, and the better high you’ll be. The majority of weed buyers choose their weed strain depending on the type of scent it provides.

Terpenes are important for a number of reasons. First, the smell repels insects. Second, terpenes carry therapeutic properties that add the overall medicinal properties marijuana has.

Different terpenes offer different health benefits. Some have anti-inflammatory properties; some reduce anxiety and depression, other terpenes relieve pain. So, terpenes are essential to the cannabis plant

Methods to Use to Make Your Grow Tent Smell Proof

It’s hard to mask or totally control the smell of marijuana plants in a grow tent. Creating an airtight space where the scent cannot escape is impossible.

This is basically because your plants need fresh air while releasing stale air. So, making your tent airtight and smell proof is impossible.

To make your grow tent smell proof, you can utilize a variety of methods. Here are some of the methods to mask marijuana smell and get a smell proof grow tent.

1. Carbon Filters

Carbon filters are considered the best option when doing away with marijuana smell in a grow tent. A good carbon filter, in combination with an inline fan, works best.

Activated carbon is absorbent and can trap and neutralize the marijuana smell. The best thing is, filters can be used in more than one season of growth, therefore ensuring the odor is reduced.

Another tip is to use an inline fan, which can suck large amounts of air into the carbon filter. The more efficient the fan is, the larger the carbon filter, you’ll achieve the smell proof grow tent you need.

2. Direct Ventilation Exhaust Systems

The other thing you can use to make your tent smell proof is using big exhaust fans. You can install a ventilation system with quality fans directing it towards the window. The fan will suck the air while throwing it out in the open air, making sure weed smell does not remain in your home.

The apparent downfall here is that passersby can smell marijuana.

Depending on the cannabis strain and the number of plants you have, the smell can be a little bit or too much. That’s why carbon filters are the best because the scent can be contained.

3. Air Fresheners

Using air fresheners is another great way of getting rid of marijuana smell. Air fresheners don’t contain the odor but instead replace with a strong scented smell. The downfall of fresheners is that, when the smell fades away, marijuana smell will fill your grow tent.

So, you’ll need to either find alternate ways since freshener’s scent seems to fade after some time or spray a lot of air freshener every now and then. Besides, getting fresheners that will hide the smell of marijuana is quite expensive.

Therefore, the majority of the growers opt for carbon filters to achieve a smell proof grow tent. 

4. Use Odor Absorbing Gels

Odor absorbing gels is one of the ways you can use to control the smell of weed. These gels work by neutralizing the smell of marijuana plants in the air.

However, odor control gels don’t work like carbon filters. Instead, they provide an intense scent to ensure that the weed smell is not the most ruling in the house. Unlike air fresheners, smell absorbing gels are considered to be much stronger, but they work similarly.

Odor absorbing gel is suitable for growers looking to grow marijuana on a small scale. This method can be quite costly if you grow marijuana in a large scale.

5. Temperature and Humidity Control

The hotter and more humid the grow tent is, the more the smell.

So, to ensure proper odor management in your grow room, make specific temperature and humidity levels are under control. Higher temperatures and humidity levels keep alive the smell of weed.

Marijuana plants in the vegetative phase emit little to no odor because the plants have not begun producing terpenes, organic compounds responsible for the cannabis aromatic properties. 

As marijuana plants continue to grow, temperature and humidity become crucial to control in order to contain the odors. The best way to manage this is to use dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

6. Use Air Purifiers

Air purifiers can also help do away with weed smell. However, the majority of the air purifiers come with activated carbon filters, helping contain marijuana smell.

The activated carbon in the filters sucks in the smell making your grow tent smell proof. Using a purifier in a grow tent will make sure your marijuana plants are receiving quality air.

FAQs

Are grow tents smell proof?

Grow tents are not smell proof.

To qualify as a smell proof, a grow tent would mask 100% of the smell of marijuana plants. Indeed, grow tents are fantastic since they provide a controlled environment for weeds to grow.

While they come with reflective materials, carbon filters, ventilation systems, clip-on fans, among others, they don’t qualify as smell proof.

So, it’s impossible to get a 100% smell proof grow tent. Instead, you can use carbon filters or other available options to achieve the desired results of smell proofing.

When do marijuana plants start to smell?

If you’re looking to grow your own marijuana plants and worried about the smell, weed plants, don’t smell all the time.

As mentioned earlier, the smell starts after three weeks of growing.

However, during the vegetative phase, the smell is not different from any other greenery. But, during the flowering stage, as the buds grow more prominent, the stronger the smell becomes.

Which is the best method to achieve a smell proof grow tent?

Experts marijuana growers recommend the use of carbon filters to get a smell proof grow box.

This is because carbon filters are affordable, and your grow cabinet becomes smell proof.

Simply get a top-quality filter that uses absorbent charcoal. Given that whatever you need is to get rid of the marijuana odor, it works pretty well. While there are other options out there, a carbon filter is the most effective and the most revered method.

Growing cannabis indoors is fun!

But, understand that the odors linked with this hobby are not equally pleasing to everyone. Employing one of these methods to hide the smell of marijuana will not rob your bank. In fact, the investment is worth the silence of your unhindered family, neighbors, and friends.

By Lydia Kibet

Plants that are grown outdoors usually thrive with mother nature. However, things are different when it comes to growing marijuana. With the many legal restrictions, the conditions in which they thrive best, marijuana growers often prefer to grow their plants indoors.

There are several ways to grow marijuana indoors, and a hydroponic grow closet is one of them. A hydroponic closet is an enclosed growing set up where you can grow plants in a regulated environment.

If you’d like to know how to set up your own hydroponic grow closet and get started with indoor marijuana growing, then this article will show you how! You’ll find the advantages of using grow cabinets and why most growers prefer using them. 

Before we get started, let’s define hydroponics.

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a method of growing marijuana plants without using soil.

Instead, growers use nutrient-rich water solution and mediums such as rockwool cubes. The process needs a hydroponic water setup where there’s a constant flow of water, and the roots are in direct contact with water. Hydroponics is increasingly gaining popularity because plants grow faster due to the easy access to nutrients.

As a result, higher yields!

What is a Grow Closet?

A grow closet is like a regular grow cabinet that keeps marijuana plants enclosed in a grow tent.

Grow closets are rapidly gaining traction among growers because they have a suitable growing set up for their plants to thrive. Using a grow closet is perfect since it utilizes a small space where all the elements of nature are recreated. Besides, you can set it up in a manner that your plants can give you optimal output. 

We’ve got the largest selection of grow tents available at Everything But The Plant. Check it out!

The best thing about a grow closet is that you can utilize grow lights to recreate sunlight and ventilation systems to regulate the flow of fresh air inside. You can adjust them in a way that they provide the most favorable conditions to your plants. Also, using a hydroponic grow closet is perfect because it can keep away insects and pests that may damage the plants.

How to Set Up a Hydroponic Grow Closet

Now that you know what hydroponics is, it’s time to dive in and understand how to set up a hydroponic closet and get ready to grow your plants. But, before doing this, you need to choose the right closet in which you’re going to grow your weed. Here are tips to help you get started the right way:

1. Grow Tent

A grow tent is an essential requirement while setting up a grow closet. This is because it is the primary enclosed structure where you’ll be setting all your elements needed for growing marijuana.  A grow tent is crucial when it comes to lighting since it helps growers ensure that grow lights are utilized to the maximum, and plants are getting sufficient lighting. Besides, a grow tent helps keep away insects and pests

Shop grow tents now!

2. Grow Lights

Indoor cannabis plants require grow lights in place of sunlight to boost the growth process. Therefore, grow lights are very important since growing weed using a hydroponic grow closet has no access to sunlight.

Hydroponic closet systems need light, and growers have to choose a LED set up. Many growers go for full spectrum grow lights rather than using grow lights of different spectrums during the various phases of the plant growth cycle.

Compared to other forms of lighting, LED grow lights are the most popular today because they’re efficient, affordable, and consume less power.

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3. Nutrients

Nutrients are the most vital part of a hydroponic closet set up. But again, choosing the right nutrients matters because they are absorbed directly into the roots via water.

Also, Mixing the appropriate amount of nutrients is crucial – too little or too much of these nutrients will affect the plant’s growth. As a grower and a cannabis connoisseur, you might want to look at nutrients that act as flavor enhancers – that is, if you wish to have an earthy taste of weed.

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4. Exhaust Fans

Since a hydroponic grow closet is an enclosed space, there’s no ventilation, and the need for exhaust fans is essential. However, ensure that you’re installing the right ventilation system in your grow closet to facilitate the free flow of air while releasing stale air. To do is, you need a system of inlets and outlets by drilling holes so that fresh air from outside can go in while air from inside goes out.

5. Carbon Filters

Growing marijuana, either hydroponically or using other methods, will always have a strong smell. The smell is a result of terpenes, chemical compounds emitted by the plants. Interestingly, the odor keeps insects away and attracts consumers. In fact, it is believed that the stronger the smell, the more ‘high’ you’ll get after consuming the weed.  However, you wouldn’t want a visitor to smell marijuana in your house, right?  This is why marijuana growers use carbon filters to contain the smell. The carbon filters trap the odor emitted by these plants so that no one would know if you have weed around.

6. Hydroponic Growth Setup (Reservoir)

Setting up a hydroponic reservoir is fundamental for any hydroponic growth.  A hydroponic reservoir is a small water tank that keeps plants. The tank is filled with water, and the plants suspended on the holes you’re drilling on top. Since no soil is used, you need to have a medium like rockwool cubes, which is porous and retentive. Depending on the number of plants you’re planting, you need to build a reservoir that is just the right size, hosts the number of plants you need, and holds the right amount of water.

6. Other Accessories

You may need several other accessories such as:

• Timers: Timers are useful for growers who need to automate grow lights, especially when they are not there for a while. 
• Insect traps: Insect traps help to trap insects to protect your plants from damage and ensure the overall wellbeing of the plants are maintained.
• Clip-on fans: The fans provide cool fresh air inside a grow cabinet, therefore, strengthening the stems of the plants.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Grow Tent

Grow tents play a significant role while setting up a grow cabinet. Here are some of the factors to consider while choosing the best grow tent for a hydroponic grow closet:

Enough space

Having adequate space is a major concern, and it must be dealt with before starting anything. Getting the right size of the grow tent will speed up the growth process. Unlike a grow tent that is too small or too big.  You should have everything in the right size, be it grow tent size, size of the plants, or size of the hydroponic growth set up. 

Durability

Ensure the grow tent you’re buying is durable enough to sustain your plants. There are several things you need to check. First, strong poles are vital to support the whole structure. So, they should be firm and strong enough to carry the weight of your grow cabinet set up. Inside a grow cabinet, timers, carbon filters, grow lights, clip-on fans, among others, are available. Second, zippers are very important, and you must ensure that the zipper is of good quality. You can quickly identify a top-quality zipper by checking reviews of the tent you’re about to buy.

Observation window

An observation window is crucial because it allows growers to take a quick look at the plants without having to open the zipper every time. In fact, opening the zipper may leak out a lot of light. Therefore, having an observation window as part of the grow tent will allow you to watch your plants as they grow.

Reflectiveness

Before buying a grow tent for your hydroponic grow closet, check the level of reflectiveness of the inner layers. How reflective the inner layer is will determine the level of growth and the amounts of yield. The more reflective the surface is, this means the plants get more light. This is a clear indication of a faster growth rate and more yields. Usually, experts recommend 95-100% reflectiveness.

Canvas quality

Canvas is a layer of cloth around the poles that help prevent light leakage. That’s why they should be thick and double-stitched. Getting a grow tent with a quality canvas is essential. This will make sure that light stays inside, speeding up the plant’s growth. The majority of the grow tents utilize Mylar Oxford 600D cloth, which is the best option for many marijuana growers.

Removable tray

While a removable tray isn’t that necessary in a grow tent when growing weed using a hydroponic closet setup, it is important. This is because hydroponics is all about water, and due to the large volume of water, spillage is a must. So, using a removable tray will ease the cleaning process.

Benefits of Growing Marijuana in a Hydroponic Grow Closet

There are several benefits of growing weed in a hydroponic grow closet. They include:

Climate control

Unlike growing marijuana outdoors, with a hydroponic closet, you can simulate the temperature, amount of light, air, water, and even humidity in your control. A perfect climate will boost your plants’ growth and production. With a favorable climate condition, this means your plants will thrive faster and higher yields.

Faster growth

Marijuana plants grow faster with a hydroponic grow closet because it is a more organized manner. For example, marijuana growers will attest that plants grow 20% faster when using hydroponics than the soil.

Safety

A hydroponic closet will ensure that your plants are safe and keep you away from social taboos and troubles. Besides, your marijuana plants are kept away from the eyes of the public. Growing weed outdoors might discourage a lot of growers because of what people will say about you. So, grow cabinets are the best to grow your plants.

Convenient

Marijuana plants emit strong smells and use bright lights, which might have otherwise been quite irritating if you were to grow in a regular grow tent. Hence using a closet hydroponic system is perfect for growers, especially when it comes to controlling everything.

Keep insects and pests away

As mentioned earlier, growing marijuana inside a hydroponic grow closet keeps pests and insects away. Therefore, keeping your plants safe from any potential damage. Besides, using hydroponics to grow cannabis, you don’t have to pull weeds!

Space-saving

Since your plants don’t have to spread their roots down in search of nutrients they require. Instead, they grow in a nutrient-rich water solution; therefore, you can pack more plants closer together. Thus, a grow hydroponic closet saves a lot of space.

Disadvantages of Growing Marijuana in a Hydroponic Grow Closet

While marijuana growers revere a hydroponic closet, it has some setbacks.

Managing elements can be challenging

Provided that the size of the grow tent isn’t that big, growers may find it challenging to manage all the elements inside. Everything can be squeezed, and controlling them can be overwhelming.

Providing proper ventilation can be problematic

Given that you need a grow cabinet inside a grow tent, it becomes even more difficult to provide the appropriate ventilation. This is because you need to set up a ventilation system to allow free flow of air for the plants to breathe.

Water-based diseases

Growing marijuana hydroponically may protect your plants from soil-based diseases, but water-based infectious diseases may damage your plants significantly. Such diseases are dangerous to marijuana plants.

Heat buildup

A lot of heat is bound to build up in a grow cabinet because it is hard to provide an outlet for hot air while growing marijuana in a hydroponic grow closet. That’s why growers install ventilation systems to allow free flow of air.

Wrap up on Hydroponic Grow Closets

By now, you know how to set up a hydroponic grow closet, what you need in a grow tent, and how to choose the best grow tent. We hope you’re now ready to get started with indoor marijuana growing using a hydroponic closet!

By Laura Newcomer

Cannabis is legal in 33 states these days, but it wasn’t always that way. As recently as 2012, only two states (Colorado and Washington) had legalized recreational cannabis. The industry has grown quickly in the past few years, but it’s still very young—and banks are still figuring out how to handle it. 

That’s largely due to the fact that cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, which means banks that choose to work with cannabis companies could be putting themselves at risk. 

So long as (most) banks won’t work with cannabis companies, those businesses are left in the lurch. Managing a cash-only business comes with a huge host of challenges, including some that are unique to the cannabis industry. 

Let’s take a closer look at why banking is tough for cannabis companies, how the landscape of cannabis banking is changing, the challenges of running a business without a bank account, tips for cannabis business cash management, and the answer to that pressing question: Just where do dispensaries keep their money? 

Why Is Banking a Challenge for Cannabis Companies? 

In just the past year, the cannabis industry has made significant strides in getting closer to legal banking options. But for much of the legal industry’s short life span, banking has been a major challenge for any cannabis business. 

The main reason for this is that cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act (along with the likes of heroin), and the federal government still considers it an illegal substance. So as far as the federal government is concerned, any funds garnered by a cannabis business are deemed to be illegally generated. 

What does the federal government’s opinion have to do with banks, you might ask? 

Well, many big banks are federally insured—which means their wellbeing depends, in part, on remaining in the good graces of the federal government. These banks don’t want to jeopardize their standing with the U.S. government, so they’ve avoided doing business with legally dicey cannabis companies. 

The general inability to open accounts with federally insured banks has created a number of hassles for cannabis companies, from managing payroll and taxes to figuring out how to keep large sums of on-hand cash safe and secure. (We’ll dive into more of these challenges below.) 

Taxes are a particularly sticky wicket for cannabis companies. Even though the federal government effectively denies cannabis companies access to federally insured banking, the IRS still expects these companies to pay regular income taxes—to the tune of nearly $5 billion a year. 

And here’s the real kicker: Cannabis companies are also disallowed from claiming corporate income tax deductions (with very few exceptions). This means cannabis businesses are subjected to astronomical tax rates while being denied access to the same banking resources as other businesses. In many cases, they have to pay these unusually high taxes in cash. 

But it’s not all bad news for cannabis companies looking for a viable way to secure their cash. 

Many companies have been welcomed by credit unions, state-chartered banks, or privately insured banks. Data from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network suggests that, as of September 2019, just over 723 depository institutions (or 8.4% of all depository institutions in the U.S.) offered services to cannabis-related businesses. 

In states where cannabis is legal, this list includes some surprisingly big names. Depending on the locale, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo have all been known to work with cannabis companies. Still, 8.4% is an extremely small portion of the banking landscape. 

Even working with smaller banking institutions doesn’t absolve cannabis companies of all financial risk. The lack of federal insurance means these organizations could be less stable than the bigger banks. 

How the Landscape of Cannabis Banking is Changing

For much of the cannabis industry’s existence, the banking situation has looked pretty bleak. But in the fall of 2019, hope came in the form of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking in the Cannabis Act.

The act would allow financial institutions—including banks, credit unions, and insurance companies—to help manage cannabis companies’ funds without risk of punishment from the federal government. It passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by 321 to 103 votes. The act has also received support from the American Bankers Association. 

While this was a promising move for the cannabis industry, the act doesn’t become law unless it’s also approved by the Senate. So far, the bill has languished there, and it’s unclear whether it would have the Senate support necessary to pass into law. 

This isn’t the first time lawmakers have tried to make banking easier for legal cannabis companies. 

In 2014, the Obama Administration’s Treasury Department essentially told FDIC banks that they were allowed to work with legal cannabis dispensaries and other operations without fear of federal prosecution. But the guidance wasn’t set in stone, and most banks remained wary of cozying up with the cannabis industry. Then, in December 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced he’d be doing everything in his power to dismantle the guidance that had been established in 2014. 

Most recently, congress is seeking to include the SAFE Act in the HEROES Act, the latest Covid-19 relief package. Meanwhile, some states (such as Illinois) are looking to take matters into their own hands by proposing legislation that would make it safer for banks and cannabis companies to work together. 

Even if the SAFE Act passes, it doesn’t necessarily mean the future of cannabis banking will be all smooth sailing. 

Because cannabis is still classified as a federally illegal Schedule 1 drug, banks and lenders might still have concerns about working with cannabis companies. For instance, lenders operating in more conservative regions might fear pushback from stakeholders if they partner with companies that work with a substance that’s illegal at the federal level. The good news is that lenders in weed-friendly cities might be more willing to support cannapreneurs. 

So Where Do Dispensaries Keep Their Money? 

Okay, now you understand why cannabis banking is often a really fraught process. So that begs the question: In the absence of reliable banking options, where do dispensaries keep their money? 

As noted above, some cannabis companies have found refuge in credit unions or banks that are state-chartered or privately insured (read: not federally insured). But even the cannabis companies who have found a credit union or bank that’s willing to work with them generally have to jump through more hoops than conventional businesses. 

For instance, some banks will charge additional fees to cannabis companies, because managing these accounts can involve extra work for the banks. That’s thanks to the Bank Secrecy Act, a federal statute that outlaws money laundering and requires financial institutions to flag accounts that make a cash payment of $10,000 or more from a single buyer, among other rigamaroles. (Cannabis companies often conduct these kinds of transactions.) Adhering to these rules can be time-consuming, which is why those financial institutions that are willing to work with cannabis companies often charge hefty fees for said accounts. Some cannabis businesses are paying thousands of dollars a month simply to maintain a bank account. 

The Bank Secrecy Act also puts cannabis company owners at risk. These laws have led to legal cannabis business owners having their personal bank accounts closed or being removed from the banking system entirely. 

All of this helps explain why approximately 70% of all legal cannabis businesses do not operate with the support of banks. 

Cannabis companies that haven’t found a home with a credit union or a non-federally insured bank are forced to manage physical stacks of cash at all times. In the next section, we’ll cover some of the many risks associated with running a cash-only business. To quickly highlight how dire this situation can be, it’s worth noting that some cannabis business owners literally bury their money in the ground in the hopes of safekeeping. 

Even though the difference between operating with a credit union or running a cash-only business are pretty stark, cannabis companies do have a number of cash management options to choose from—with more and more innovative cannabis startups coming out every day. Some of these workarounds are illegal (think: overseas accounts), but others inhabit a greyer area:  

What Are the Risks for Cannabis Companies that Don’t Have a Bank Account? 

As you can imagine, managing a business’ finances without a secure bank account poses a number of challenges. These include (but are not limited to) the following. 

No access to banking services. 

Banks do so much more for businesses than safekeeping their cash. They also provide lending services, payroll services, checking services, and debit and credit cards (most of which are FDIC-backed). 

Without these resources, many dispensaries are forced to operate as cash-only businesses, which creates hassles for both the dispensaries and consumers. They also cannot issue tax payments electronically or by check, which forces dispensary owners to deliver huge wads of cash to state tax offices in person. This can be risky and costly; for instance, some owners hire armored vehicles or guards for this transport.

Payroll challenges. 

If you aren’t able to manage your finances electronically, then you won’t be able to set up automated payments for your team. You also might not be able to provide those team members with certain payment methods that are common in other industries, such as direct deposit. And manually managing payroll takes a ton of time and is much more subject to human error than an automated, electronic system. 

Even once you’ve gotten payments into your team members’ hands, they might face their own challenges. For instance, their banks could refuse to allow them to deposit funds made in the cannabis industry. This can have repercussions when it comes to those team members qualifying for purchasing a home, financing a vehicle, and so on. Meanwhile, getting paid in cash can make people who work in the cannabis industry vulnerable to theft. 

A reduced chance of securing loans. 

When you don’t have a bank account, it’s harder to provide solid proof of your company’s financial standing. That can make it more difficult to obtain a loan. (Even more challenging? Many traditional loan programs won’t even consider cannabis companies—with or without a bank account.)

Complicated vendor partnerships. 

When a cannabis business doesn’t have a bank account, it can make it harder to develop trusting relationships with third parties such as janitorial, plumbing, or marketing businesses.

Decreased sales. 

When your business is cash-only, customers can only purchase whatever they can pay for with the cash they have on hand. This can lead to diminished sales. 

Security challenges. 

It’s a fairly well-known fact that many cannabis companies are forced to operate without a bank account. And that means thieves have set their sights on companies that might be storing lots of cash on their premises. This forces cannabis companies to invest in various security measures, whether that’s purchasing an expensive safe or hiring security guards.

Tips for Cannabis Cash Management

Whenever possible, a cannabis company should strive to secure its funds with some kind of banking institution. As a general rule, this is the safest and most efficient means of tending to a company’s finances. So don’t give up before you’ve tried. 

Start the bank search by researching banks and credit unions in your area. See if they’re already doing business with cannabis companies; that’s a good indication that they’re comfortable and experienced with working with higher-risk businesses.

Once you’ve created a list of possible banking partners, set up meetings to see if they could be a good fit. Be up front about the fact that you operate in the cannabis industry, and come prepared with profit and loss statements and other financial documents to demonstrate your professionalism. 

No matter whether you’ve found a credit union or bank that’s willing to work with you or you’re still stuffing wads of cash under your mattress every night, there are several ways that cannapreneurs can more safely and effectively manage their finances. 

The Bottom Line on Cannabis Banking

As you can see, cannabis banking is a complicated affair. 

A tangled web of federal regulations make it difficult for cannabis companies to open accounts with banks. And even when cannabis businesses do find a credit union or bank that’s willing to work with them, they’re often forced to pay enormous fees simply to keep their accounts open. 

Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom.

In some cases, cannabis companies are able to work effectively with, say, a credit union or a state-chartered bank. In others, they’re taking extra security measures or experimenting with different workarounds for managing a cash-only business.

There’s also the hope of more forgiving federal legislation at some point down the line. If the Senate gets its act together and passes the SAFE Act, then many of cannabis companies’ banking headaches could disappear.

Until then, it’s important for cannabis business owners to think carefully about cash management and invest in protocols, security systems, and other initiatives to keep their hard-earned money safe. 

By George Mouratidis

Even if you’re up-to-date on the latest nutritional supplements, there’s a chance you might’ve missed Micro Plant Powder. No, this isn’t another “superfood blend” with crazy amounts of kale. Instead, Micro Plant Powder is composed of super-small plant particles found in mineral-rich freshwater.

Why should you be interested in Micro Plant Powder? Well, if anecdotal reviews are to be believed, these potent particles can certainly pack a punch! Thanks to high traces of silica, Micro Plant Powder might help prevent diseases, boost energy, and improve collagen production. Many customers also claim Micro Plant Powder might help with detoxification and digestive health.

Do you want to learn more about why so many people are trying Micro Plant Powder? If so, please keep reading all this valuable info we’ve put together.

What Is Micro Plant Powder?

Simply put, Micro Plant Powder is a collection of tiny plant particles found on the bottom of freshwater riverbeds. These single-celled particles are so small that you need a microscope to see them—hence the name “micro.”

However, just because these plant particles are puny doesn’t mean they’re weak. Indeed, the reason micro plant molecules are only found on the bottom of riverbeds is that they’re incredibly dense. Amazingly, the outer casings around Micro Plant Powder particles are almost as durable as “every girl’s best friend” (i.e., diamonds). These tough outer shells serve many functions, including as a natural source of fiber.

But this supplement is far from glorified psyllium husk. Remember, these mighty molecules have been sitting in freshwater sources for many years. Over decades, Micro Plant Powder picks up traces of many beneficial minerals found in riverbeds.

The most significant compound found in Micro Plant Powder is silica, which we’ll detail below. There are many other healthy minerals in Micro Plant Powder, including iron oxide, magnesium oxide, and potassium oxide.

On top of all these features, it’s important to note that Micro Plant Powder is naturally alkaline and negatively charged. Both of these traits are highly prized in the natural healing space because they’re said to promote detoxification. Interestingly, many diseases carry positive ions, which means a strong negative charge might pull pathogens out of the body. For more on why an alkaline pH is such a big deal, please keep reading.

What Is Silica And What Could It Do For Me?

Since silica plays a starring role in Micro Plant Powder, you’re probably wondering what it is and why you’d want to eat it. Scientifically speaking, silica refers to the compound silicon dioxide, and it’s one of the most common minerals on the earth’s crust. Although inhaling silica might hurt respiratory health, eating silica seems to have a profoundly positive effect on the body.

Interestingly, silica appears to be a significant precursor to the connective tissue collagen. If you’re into the latest health trends, you’ve probably already heard of collagen due to the bone broth craze. As a connective tissue, collagen plays a crucial role in promoting healthy joints and skin. Plus, there’s emerging evidence that collagen might help manage leaky gut syndrome.

Since silica is the building block for collagen, it makes sense that people who eat more silica experience similar benefits. Indeed, there’s now research from the University of Wisconsin that suggests silica deprivation might trigger collagen formation issues. Rats who weren’t fed silica had more bone and joint problems compared with those who ate silica. 

But it’s not just about collagen formation that’s getting scientists psyched about silica. Preliminary research from France suggests people who drink water with high traces of silica might have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Although this research is only in its beginning stages, it suggests there’s a great deal we don’t know about silica’s positive potential.

The easiest way you could boost your silica intake is to add Micro Plant Powder to your daily routine. Remember that each bottle of this powder contains almost 90 percent pure silica. Once you take your dose of Micro Plant Powder, your body will instantly put that silica to good use. 

In addition to our Micro Plant Powder, you might also want to consider drinking mineral-rich water with high traces of silica. You could also try the celery juice trend now sweeping the Internet. Root veggies like celery have some of nature’s most abundant sources of silica.

Why Should I Worry About Alkalization?

Another purported benefit of Micro Plant Powder is that it helps alkalize the body. So, you’re probably wondering what the heck “alkalize” means.

To better understand “alkalization,” we must talk about pH. As you might remember from high school chemistry, the pH scale measures the acidic or basic qualities of a substance. This scale goes from extremely acidic at zero (e.g., battery acid) to highly alkaline at 14 (e.g., bleach). The neutral zone on every pH scale is set at 7.

Unfortunately, many of the processed foods in our modern diet are highly acidic. Plus, people who are plagued with constant stress might be unwittingly exacerbating their acidic state.

A healthy blood pH should be slightly alkaline (between 7.35 – 7.45). Considering our bodies are bombarded with acidic compounds today, it makes sense to lean on the alkaline side. The easiest ways to increase alkalinity is to practice stress-reduction techniques, exercise regularly, and eat more fresh fruits and veggies.

Of course, you could also boost your body’s alkalinity by taking a daily dose of Micro Plant Powder. Remember, Micro Plant Powder has an average pH of 8, which could promote a healthy alkaline environment in your body.

How Do You Take Micro Plant Powder?

The easiest way to take Micro Plant Powder is to place your daily recommended dose in a glass of purified water. After the powder dissolves, drink all of the water. It’s that simple.

Of course, you could also add our Micro Plant Powder to your favorite all-natural fruit or veggie juices. There are also a few people who enjoy mixing their Micro Plant Powder into a morning smoothie.

What Does Micro Plant Powder Taste Like?

Although Micro Plant Powder is derived from plant compounds, it doesn’t have a “seaweed” taste. In fact, most people who take Micro Plant Powder say it’s tasteless. The only feature that might take some getting used to is the powder’s texture. When it’s not fully dissolved, Micro Plant Powder could have a somewhat gritty feel.

To eliminate this mildly unpleasant sensation, we always recommend thoroughly dissolving your Micro Plant Powder before you drink it. You could also mix your Micro Plant Powder into flavored juices or smoothies to hide the texture. 

How Much Micro Plant Powder Should You Take Per Day?

There’s no standard dose for Micro Plant Powder, but new users should start with no more than one tablespoon per day. Be sure to track your progress on this dosage for a few days before adding any more powder to your routine. Typically, the maximum dosage of Micro Plant Powder is three tablespoons per day.

Are There Any Precautions When Taking Micro Plant Powder?

To date, there have been no severe side effects reported after taking Micro Plant Powder. However, since this product often has a substantial impact on digestion, you might notice your metabolism ramp up. 

Many customers say they experience a significant increase in trips to the loo…and we’re not just talking about number two! Some people claim Micro Plant Powder acts as a mild diuretic and might help cleanse the kidneys. Please make sure you’re drinking plenty of purified water while taking Micro Plant Powder.

See If Micro Plant Powder Could Help You

Micro Plant Powder is one of the most exciting supplements to emerge in the ever-expanding health & wellness space. With its high traces of silica, alkaline pH, and strong negative charge, Micro Plant Powder has many interesting traits that might supercharge your health. If you’re not getting results with “super greens” powders, we encourage you to give Micro Plant Powder a try. We bet you’ll be surprised how different you feel after a few days!

Please keep in mind, the FDA has not evaluated any of the health statements made on this website. Micro Plant Powder isn’t intended to cure, prevent, or diagnose illness. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor before adding Micro Plant Powder to your diet.

By Laura Newcomer

When you look at the overall size of the cannabis industry, it seems enormous — so much bigger than any one person or dispensary. 

A 2018 report from the Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that in the U.S. alone, the cannabis industry is expected to reach a whopping $23 billion by 2022. Some estimates put that number even higher.

That’s a huge number. And the truth is that a massive percentage of those dollars hinges on the activity of one extremely important role within the cannabis industry: that of the humble budtender. 

As of 2018, estimates suggest the cannabis industry supports anywhere from 125,000 to 160,000 jobs, and budtending accounts for a sizable portion of that workforce. The number of cannabis industry jobs is expected to grow to around 340,000 by 2022 — and again, budtenders will account for a large portion of those positions. 

The people serving as budtenders occupy a pivotal role in the cannabis space because they help pair cannabis consumers with cannabis products.

Among other duties, their job within the dispensary ecosystem is to answer customer questions, make product recommendations, and complete the transactions that make up the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry. 

Are you hoping to join the legions of noble budtenders working across the country and around the world?

Then read on to learn what a budtender does, what a budtender’s career outlook might look like, and how to become a budtender in 2020 and beyond. 

What Does a Budtender Do? 

First things first: Before we talk about how to become a budtender, it’s important to make sure that everyone’s on the same page about what exactly a budtender does. That way, you can decide for yourself whether this is a career path that you actually want to pursue. 

As the name suggests, budtenders inhabit a role that’s similar to that of a bartender: They serve customers, answer questions, and suggest appropriate products if a customer isn’t sure exactly what they’re looking for or what might suit their particular needs or preferences.

While a bartender’s duties might focus primarily on the first two items on that list, a budtender’s work often concentrates on the last. 

Budtenders are expected to be intimately familiar with the cannabis industry in general as well as the products at whatever dispensary employs them. (In this way, you might say they’re actually more like a sommelier than a bartender!)

They’ll need to be able to clearly answer customer questions ranging from the difference between a sativa and indica to the nuances of various cannabis delivery systems (e.g. smoking versus edibles versus transdermal patches), recommendations for products that fall within a customer’s budget, the expected effects of a particular product (e.g. “Will this help me feel calm or promote a feeling of elation?” or “Which product will best relieve my muscle pain?”), and so on. 

In addition to answering questions about cannabis and cannabis products, budtenders are also expected to provide great customer service via a friendly and helpful attitude.

They’re charged with building trust and rapport with customers so those customers are satisfied with their experience and feel inclined to keep returning to the dispensary. 

Budtenders also carry out a range of miscellaneous duties such as ringing up purchases, signing up customers for loyalty programs, collaborating with coworkers, restocking shelves, and that ever-present “other duties as assigned.”

As you do your research, it might be helpful to know that budtenders are sometimes called different names such as dispensary agents, patient consultants, or patient specialists. 

A Budtender’s Career Outlook

As you can see from the budtender’s job description, the role requires in-depth knowledge of the cannabis industry as well as a broad range of skill sets, especially skills relating to customer service. 

In exchange for their cannabis expertise and excellent customer service, budtenders can expect to make a median salary of approximately $33,000 annually. Along with an annual salary (or, in some cases, an hourly wage), many budtenders also receive tips from satisfied customers.

That might not sound like a lot, but the good news is that budtending is a job with lots of opportunities for career growth.

Many budtenders go on to become dispensary managers, cultivators, or company executives. You can enhance your odds of career advancement by taking an interest in different roles, finding a mentor within the company, and conducting yourself professionally at all times. 

How to Become a Budtender in 2020

Now that you’re familiar with what budtending entails, it’s time to ask yourself if this seems like an enjoyable career path for you. If the answer is “yes,” then read on to learn how to become a budtender in 2020! 

1. Make sure you meet the basic requirements.

Technically, there are very few formalized requirements involved in becoming a budtender. Because the requirements for this career path are a bit nebulous, expectations will vary from state to state and dispensary to dispensary — even down to whether a budtender certification is necessary. 

That said, three requirements are consistent for all budtenders: You must possess at least a high school diploma, you must have a clean criminal record, and you must obtain the necessary work permits as determined by your state. For the most part, you’ll also need to be at least 21 years of age. 

Beyond any formal requirements necessitated by your state or intended place of work, there are also some knowledge and/or skill sets that a potential employer will look for. You’ll likely need to prove that you possess a deep understanding of and passion for the cannabis industry and cannabis products. You’ll also want to demonstrate that you possess strong customer service skills. 

2. Assess your attitude. 

Budtending is a customer-facing job. It’s a profession that involves encounters with a huge variety of people, all with varying needs and levels of cannabis knowledge. 

On any given day, a budtender might be expected to consult with a customer who’s looking to use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.

They’ll interact with people who know next to nothing about cannabis products or dosing as well as more knowledgeable customers who will want to chat about things like terpene profiles, the genetics of a particular strain, or the pros and cons of various types of extraction.  

The bottom line? If you want to be a budtender, you’ll need to possess the right attitude for listening to and supporting a huge range of potential customers — as well as the communication skills to respectfully educate them, share your personal experiences with different products, and support their needs. 

What’s more, you’ll need to demonstrate these skills to a potential employer. A background in retail or another customer-facing position can be a huge help here. 

3. Commit to compliance.

A budtender isn’t just expected to be knowledgeable about cannabis products and equipped to discuss those products with customers. They’ll also need to remain compliant with relevant laws and regulations at both the local and state level, or else they could put their jobs or even an entire dispensary at risk. 

For example, you’ll need to make sure you’re maintaining stellar organization to effectively maintain sales and inventory figures. You’ll also need to self-monitor so you aren’t making any unsubstantiated or misleading claims about any of the products on a dispensary’s shelf. (A good rule of thumb? Never tell a customer that a product will cure cancer!) 

Prospective employers will want to know that you’re aware compliance is part of the job and that you’re committed to responsible stewardship of their products. 

4. Learn a lot (even before an interview).

As we’ve mentioned, budtenders are expected to know a lot about the modern cannabis landscape and the many different products found within it. Even if you’re a cannabis enthusiast, you’ll probably need to do some homework before you’re ready to expertly counsel customers on everything from CBD salves to dab rigs.

A sound understanding of cannabis products starts with studying how cannabis is grown,  how various products are created, and what distinguishes higher-quality products from lower-quality ones. 

If you’re looking to interview at a specific dispensary, it’s smart to conduct a scouting mission to take note of the products on their shelves. Then go home and research those products so you can demonstrate your familiarity with them during an interview. 

While you’re at it, make sure you’re keeping up to date with industry trends and major players in the cannabis space so you can respond effectively to interview questions designed to grasp whether you make a point of staying educated about the industry. Regularly reading top cannabis blogs, magazines, and/or social media networks and forums is a great way to stay current. 

5. Consider formal training (but vet certification programs thoroughly).

There are a ton of budtender certification programs out there (most of them online), but there’s currently no national standard for these programs. That means their quality and usefulness can vary dramatically. It also means that having a certification might get your resume noticed, but it’s far from a guarantee of employment.

If you want to pursue a certification, the good news is that many programs cost less than $300.

Before putting down money for any course, look closely at its curriculum to make sure it teaches the skills you’re looking to build. Also take a peek at the course’s graduates to see what kind of success they’ve had since completing the program. 

We’re not endorsing any particular program, but here are some options to help you kick off your search, as recommended by the Cannabis Reporter: 

• Cannabis Training Institute (an online Dispensary Technician Training) 
• Cannabis Trainers’ Sell-SMaRT™ (a day-long workshop that was purportedly the first program to be approved by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division’s Responsible Vendor Program)
• Green CulturED Online Cannabis Education (an online Budtender Certification course)
• Medical Mariujana 411’s Cannabis Consultant Certification (an online Budtender Certification course) 
• Trichome Institute Budtender Training (an online Budtender Training course that focuses on legal, medical, and scientific applications of cannabis, among other topics) 

Before investing in a certification course, it might be worthwhile to chat with local budtenders or dispensary managers to get a feel for whether they think these certs are relevant to your job search (or whether they have any specific course recommendations). 

6. Research prospective employers. 

There are many ways to identify budtender openings. 

If you know that you want to stay local, then it could be as easy as driving around your region and applying at any dispensaries with a “Help Wanted” sign in their window. 

If you want to expand your search, consider using an online search for your region or any of these cannabis industry job boards: 

• 420 Careers
• 420 Jobs Board
• Ganjapreneur 
• Growers Network
• Leafbuyer
• Vangst (which recently landed on our roundup of Top Cannabis Startups to Watch in 2020) 

Also, never underestimate the power of your network. In virtually any industry, the adage that “it’s who you know” applies. Ask around to see if you have any contacts at local dispensaries, and see if you can leverage your network to learn about job openings or score an introduction to dispensary managers. 

As you research prospective employers, remember that it’s just as important for a place of work to appeal to you as it is for you to appeal to a potential place of work. Look beyond the job opening to learn more about the company’s mission, team, and so on — that way, you can get a sense of which companies might be the best culture fit for you. 

7. Refine your resume. 

As with most jobs, you should expect to submit a resume whenever you apply for a budtender position. 

Take your time with this step, because jobs in the cannabis industry are increasingly competitive — and most of the time, your resume will serve as your first impression with a prospective employer. You can increase your chances of landing an interview (and the job) by making sure that resume is up to snuff. 

It’s helpful to highlight any customer service skills you might have, such as past employment that involves retail, sales, and so on. A background in inventory management can also prove very useful. 

Also emphasize any other work experience you might have in the cannabis industry, and try to highlight a strong work ethic. Gone are the days when all it took to work in cannabis was being a stereotypical stoner; nowadays, dispensaries want professional, responsible, and communicative staff.

It might also help to demonstrate a strong grasp of social media and other forms of digital marketing, since many dispensaries are taking their sales and marketing efforts online. 

Finally, highlight any skills or experiences that might indicate you’re a strong fit for the company’s culture. As just one example, if you’re applying for a job at a dispensary that strives to minimize its eco-footprint, it could be worthwhile to include volunteer or work experiences that relate to environmental conservation. 

As you craft your resume, make sure you’re tailoring it to a specific job opening. You’ll have much more success if you take the time to use language from and refer to skills that show up in the job posting. 

8. Prep for the interview. 

The job interview is where all of your research and preparation comes together. 

During the interview, you’ll want to emphasize all the skills that you’ve been developing on your path to becoming a budtender. While every interview is different, it’s a good idea to show up prepared and ready to discuss the following: 

• What great customer service means to you. If you can share some examples of times that you feel you’ve provided exceptional service, even better. 
• Your awareness of industry trends. Read up on industry blogs so you can discuss any emerging trends around compliance, newly popular products, the most popular strains, emerging research about cannabis’ effects (either medical or recreational), and so on. 
• Your communication skills. Throughout the interview, you’ll want to demonstrate that you’re capable of listening closely, developing rapport, remaining patient, and clearly communicating your perspectives. Also prepare a few stories from previous jobs that highlight your communication and/or leadership skills. 
• Your understanding of local customers. Are there any trends in your region around consumer demographics, preferences, and so on? Brush up on these before an interview. 
• Your longer-term career goals. Do you aspire to work your way up the company’s chain of command? Do you hope this job will help you learn a particular set of skills or develop professionally in a specific way? Are you wanting to attend certain trade shows? An eagerness to learn about the industry and grow your career can demonstrate that you’re serious about the position. 

Don’t just come prepared to answer questions. Also come prepared to ask them.

Remember: You’re vetting the dispensary just as much as they’re vetting you. Take the time to ask questions during the interview so you can get a feel for the company’s culture, work policies, and so on.

That way, you’ll decrease the chances of ending up in a job that’s simply not a good fit. 

In addition to prepping for and nailing the actual interview, remember to follow up the day after the interview to thank the interviewees for their time and reiterate your interest in the job (assuming that you are still interested!). 

Conclusion 

On the surface, becoming a budtender might look deceptively simple. After all, there are very few formal requirements involved in obtaining employment in this role. 

But dig beneath the surface, and it becomes clear that budtending requires a great depth of knowledge and a broad skill set when it comes to managing inventory and delivering stellar customer service. 

If you think you’ve got what it takes to join the ranks of budtenders across the country and world, you can increase your chances of a successful job hunt by ensuring that you meet basic requirements, assessing whether you’re a good fit for a customer-facing role, learning as much as possible about the industry and different products, refining your resume, and researching prospective employers in advance of any interviews. 

With some patience, professionalism, and true passion for the cannabis industry, you’ll increase your odds of landing the budtending role of your dreams. Happy job hunting! 

By Alexa Peters

Throughout the cannabis industry, there is a long-established bias for indoor cannabis cultivation, which is perceived to be of better and more consistent quality than weed grown outdoors.

That said, outdoor growers like Jeremy Moberg of CannaSol Farms in Okanogan, WA, remain loyal to their outdoor cannabis farms, and tout the under-appreciated potential of outdoor grow-ops when it comes to cost-effectiveness, relative ease as compared to indoor, eco-friendliness—and quality.

“I started growing indoors in a basement. Quickly, I realized I didn’t like a lot about indoor growing—the electrical consumption, the waste stream, the water filled with nitrate and phosphates going down the drain—I just didn’t like working under the lights, either,” said Moberg.

Shortly thereafter, Moberg transitioned to outdoor growing, in the only way that was possible at the time of prohibition—with off-grid guerilla grows.

He was living on an old hippy commune, using makeshift do-it-yourself irrigation systems, and hiding plants from helicopters flying overhead. Still, he preferred the method and continued to fine-tune his process. 

“It was tough and success wasn’t always a given,” said Moberg. “But, we had some successes. Kept at it over the years, kept doing guerilla grows using open-pollinated, or land-raised strains.”

Eventually, Washington legalized cannabis.

This allowed growers to come out of the shadows— although initially, outdoor cannabis cultivation was not initially considered legal alongside indoor cultivation. But, through Moberg’s loud support of sun-grown cannabis, which he says can be as good of quality as indoor weed when cultivated using light deprivation, Moberg changed the minds of Washington state politicians and made outdoor cultivation possible in Washington state.

Soon after, CannaSol became the first sung-grown cannabis to make it to market in Washington state.

“I gave a Power Point presentation to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board that really opened their eyes. There were like 35 people there, and they literally said, ‘everyone we’ve talked to before you said you could not grow weed outside,’ and I was like, I am here to tell you not only can you, but you would be making a big environmental mistake if you don’t allow it be grown outside,” said Moberg.

All this being said, outdoor commercial cultivation does still come with its own set of challenges that are important to understand before you dive in as a new cultivator.

In this Entrepreneur’s Guide to Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation, we’ll cover four major aspects that can make or break your outdoor commercial grow: land politics, water rights, environment, and labor.

Land Politics

The first and most important step to starting and maintaining a successful outdoor grow-op is choosing an appropriate location.

With cannabis laws that vary by state and a ban from cultivating cannabis on federally-controlled lands or with federally-controlled water, this can be a tricky endeavor.

In fact, even in states that have declared recreational marijuana legal, local governments across states like California and Washington have enacted zoning ordinances to prohibit recreational marijuana businesses of any kind in their area—and for cannabis entrepreneurs caught in these policy’s wakes, the impact can be devastating. 

“Brian Lehman has been scrambling to find a new location for his state-licensed cannabis farm since receiving a cease-and-desist order from Yakima County officials. Now, the county is seeking an abatement order in Yakima County Superior Court to enter his property, shut down his business and remove any unpermitted structures, equipment or products, including marijuana,” reported Q13 Fox in early 2019. “Lehman said he refinanced his home and took a construction job to make payments on the idled six acres on which he intended to grow marijuana.”

Hence, before you choose your location, make sure you are legally able to grow cannabis there.

The liquor and cannabis board in your state should have that information. For instance, California State Association of Counties explicitly lists county cannabis ordinances on their website.

Keep in mind, too, that states often require you to have an appropriate location chosen for your farm before they will even grant you a cultivation license.

Water Rights

Another part of the politics of your land, is the politics of the resources on your land—water, in particular.

“I’d recommend that everyone that grows outdoors has a water right,” said Moberg.

A water right is a specific, state-provided permit that grants you the right to use a certain amount of water on your land for agricultural purposes.

All farms farming agricultural crops in the United States have to have a water right to operate by law. But, because cannabis is not designated federally as an agricultural crop, some growers attempt to use domestic exemptions and other work arounds for their irrigation.

“The Washington Department of Ecology wrote a policy that allowed 2-3 farms to operate under the domestic exemption—a commercial industrial exemption that gives people 5000 gallons of water a day. There are lots of places out there with non-water right wells using the domestic exemption for several different grows. They’re out of compliance,” said Moberg. “Even though you can do it, I wouldn’t do it because maybe we get agricultural status someday.”

Depending on your property, you may already have a water right. Washington state provides this portal,  which can determine if your property already has a water right. To ascertain a water right, a cultivator must go through an application process with the state, which looks different depending where you live.

In Washington, applicants must go through a pre-screening process, pay and submit an application to be approved for a water right. Oregon’s water right laws, are similar. 

In some cases, like in much of Oregon, obtaining an individual water right may not be possible—especially if planning to locate in an area with many other farms. In this case, irrigation districts may be the best option.

Irrigation Districts hold water rights in trust for their patrons, and distribute water to them. Irrigation Districts can be run by privately-owned companies and governmental agencies, so if you decide to go this route carefully vet your plot of land to determine who controls your irrigation district.

In many cases, cannabis growers can’t use federally-controlled water due to cannabis’ status as a Schedule I drug, in which case you may want to look for another location.

Choosing a Suitable Cannabis Cultivation Environment

When it comes to growing quality outdoor weed, it’s not enough to find a legal place to put your farm—the area has to be suitable to growing cannabis, as well. 

The most ideal outdoor locations for growing cannabis are sunny, close to a water source, not too windy, isolated from other farms, secure, and easily accessible by you and your laborers.

To determine the best spot for your farm, Moberg recommends new cultivators look at solar, cloud cover, and temperature maps provided to the public by the United States Geological Survey to find the location most environmentally conducive to growing cannabis.

“Look at the maps. Avoid river bottoms, watch your major wind patterns, and understand the problems that come with clustering [farms together],” said Moberg. “My farm, I was the only one, now there’s 20-something farms. Cross-pollination is one issue, more likely is people not taking care of their bugs and [they] can spread.”

Maintaining your Outdoor Cannabis Plants

Once you’ve found a legal and suitable location and planted your crop, your plants must be maintained by controlling environmental factors like light, temperature humidity, irrigation, and nutrients—must be rigorously and unceasingly monitored—just as you would do with an indoor grow.

The difference with outdoor cultivation, is the way you monitor and control these factors looks a little different.

With indoor weed, controlling these factors can be arguably easier because they are fabricated by equipment and monitored by you to begin with. But, when growing outside, you and your cannabis are at the mercy of the natural world—which can have positives and negatives.

The positives are that outdoor weed is cheaper, less energy-intensive and can be easier to grow, purely because you are harnessing sunlight and other natural processes instead of paying for, installing, and monitoring equipment that mimic them.

After all, cannabis has been grown outdoors for thousands of years.

That said, the industry favors indoor weed because of the perception that outdoor weed is of lesser quality, and when grown without a proper awareness of the impact of the natural environment, it almost certainly will be, Moberg says.

“When I first started growing outdoors, we were only doing natural, full-term grows using seed and open pollination with limited success. The quality isn’t the best and not necessarily what we expect—especially if you’re familiar with indoor growing,” he said.

Lighting for Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation

But, outdoor weed doesn’t have to be bad quality, asserts Moberg.

The quality of outdoor weed is especially contingent how florigen, the hormone which signals flowering in a cannabis plant, is released—and there are ways that can be controlled with light deprivation.

Florigen is produced in the big cannabis leaves at night, moves to the tips of the plant to initiate flowering, but is destroyed by sunlight.

In full-term outdoor growing, when a plant is left to go into the flowering state based on the gradual and natural shortening of late summer nights, florigen is released in a gradual trickle.

But, outdoor weed grown using light deprivation—when the cannabis plants are plunged into sudden darkness using light-proof tarps—leads to a surge in florigen that shocks the plant and makes for more calyxes, or budlets. This, in turn, makes for a higher quality crop.

“The plant expression that comes from the quick transition is lower leaf content and high calix to leaf ratios. Light deprivation and indoor [cannabis] are going to have a lot more calyx and a lot less leaf because of that hard transition. A natural plant, that’s going to slowly have more calyxes. That’s why outdoor cannabis has higher leaf content and is lower quality overall,” said Moberg.

Hence, at Cannasol, Moberg grows his outdoor crops using light deprivation to control the quality of a cannabis, and also to control when plants flower.

This can help an outdoor grower increase and stagger yields to make better profits. (According to multiple sources online, you can use anything to cover your plants as long as it’s light-proof, and has a structure that keeps it up off the plant canopy).

“For instance, my farm, we’ve been in flowering now in one greenhouse for 5 weeks [and its only May]. We’re only 3 weeks away from our first crop,” said Moberg. 

Temperature and Humidity

In contrast to indoor environments, which can be set at the right temperature and humidity using equipment, outdoor plants are at the mercy of the elements.

This is when the careful consideration you put into choosing a location for your farm pays off—or not.

Cannabis plants are generally, quite adaptable, but according to Leafly, “sustained temperatures above 86°F will cause your plants to stop growing, while continued temperatures below 55°F can cause damage and stunting to plants, even death. Heavy rains and high winds can cause physical damage to plants and reduce yields, and excessive moisture can lead to mold and powdery mildew, especially during the flowering stage.”

Unfortunately, even if you discover early you’ve put your cannabis plants in the wrong location, there’s not much you can do beyond attending as well as you can to their needs and seeing how they do.

Additionally, if you’re having a particularly long stretch of hot weather, Grow Weed Easy suggests making shade structures and feeding your plants seaweed kelp extract, known to help heat-stressed plants, in a last-ditch effort to salvage your plants.

Irrigation and Nutrients

How you water your outdoor crop and what additional nutrients and fertilizers you feed them are closely linked, and require you to choose whether or not you prefer to grow organically.

For instance, most commercial cannabis farms water using fertigation systems. Simply put, this involves injecting your irrigation water with nutrients and fertilizers you want to use for your plants, usually into one made water tank. Waterlines then pull from that tank to deliver nutrient-rich irrigation water to your grow site through drip emitters. (Some of the most popular synthetic nutrients are Fox Farms and Dyna-Grow plant food.)

But, this process becomes a lot trickier if you decide to go organic—like with General Hydroponics General Organics Go Box—because organic nutrients have a lot of sediment in them, which clogs traditional drip emitters. 

“Yeah, you know, not everybody does it the way I do it. Most people are non-organic. So, traditional fertigation systems are available and quite inexpensive. So, if you’re just running salt-based nutrients through then you can just use traditional fertigation. It’s just pulls a little out of a tank and introduces it directly [to the grow site]. But, you can only do that if you’re not organic. Once you’re organic it becomes more difficult.”

In this case, Moberg had to find some specialized micro-sprinklers that could deliver the larger particles to their plants, which he mixes into a large 4000-gallon tank.

(For this sort of equipment there are companies like Cannabis Irrigation Supply, but you can also use traditional agricultural irrigations offerings, like those sold by the 10 companies listed in this link.)

As for how much to water your plants and when, this requires—yet again—a deep understanding of your area’s climate, the quality of your soil, the sun intensity, the season, other weather, even the strain you’re growing and what stage of life your plants are in.

The best way to effectively water your plants is to become familiar with the signs that your plants are thirsty—wilting, dry and droopy leaves.

Generally, these signs can be prevented by watering your plants weekly. If you live in particular hot, sunny climates, more frequent irrigation may be necessary.

Labor Costs

Lastly, another consideration unique to outdoor cultivators is your labor costs. Outdoor grows tend to be large, requiring cultivators to hire farm laborers to help with trimming and other tasks. 

According to a 2017 study from University of California-Davis, entitled “Economics of Cannabis and Demand for Farm Labor, outdoor cannabis in California employed 23,460 full-time employees at $20 an hour, as opposed to indoor cannabis in California, which employed 4,971 full-time employees at $20/hour.

“You need much more labor in outdoor settings, but you also have access to traditional agricultural workers,” said Moberg.

Conclusion

Commercial cannabis cultivation, regardless of whether it’s done indoors or outdoors, is complicated.  But, by doing your homework and carefully choosing a suitable location and diligently maintaining your plants, you too can grow some high-quality commercial outdoor cannabis.

Another thing to consider is that some latitudes may not even allow an outdoor grower to grow full-term.

For instance, in Washington state, the majority of common genetics cannot finish their cycle naturally and come to fruition before freezing temperatures.

So, light deprivation can help ensure you have a harvestable crop before the bad weather hits, especially if the grower is starting with seeds or clones that have not been acclimated to the area through open pollination, which is quite common.

“Most of the strains that the public knows and wants cannot grow naturally outside at these latitudes. You get down to southern Oregon and northern California, and more strains can complete their cycle before fall and winter [with full-term growing],” said Moberg.

“But when you get up to the 49th parallel, or really all of Washington, the winter comes too fast [for full-term growing]. [The only way] to ensure that you’re going to have a crop that is harvestable in early October or late September, is to use seed stock that’s been acclimated to the area. The only way you acclimate it is to open pollinate every year—and there aren’t many land-raised strains left.”

By Laura Newcomer

In 2019, venture-capital investing in the cannabis space topped out at over $2 billion. 

While the Covid-19 pandemic is slowing down investments in virtually every industry, that number speaks to the fact that cannabis startups are gaining a lot of attention from both investors and customers. 

As the industry gets ever more crowded, startups are having to up their game to compete for attention. To do that, cannabis companies might pursue a variety of strategies, from crafting the best version of a particular product or service to targeting an underserved niche or disrupting parts of the industry. 

Those are the kinds of actions that attract (the right kind of) attention, including our own. 

We’re always on the lookout for cannabis brands that are doing something new, disruptive, or otherwise exciting. In spite of the challenges we’re all facing during this pandemic, a ton of companies are continuing to do that this year. Here are some of the top cannabis startups to watch in 2020. 

14 Cannabis Startups to Watch in 2020 

The companies in this roundup represent a diverse range of niches and focuses within the cannabis industry. None of them were born this year; in fact, many of them have been around for a couple years or longer. But in spite of the variety represented here, each of these startups has something in common with the other: They’re all making a splash right now. 

Here are 14 cannabis startups to watch in 2020. 

1. Ardent

Since bootstrapping $600,000 in funding to launch its first product in 2016, Boston-based Ardent has become a major player in the cannabis startup world. 

Founder and president Shanel A. Lindsay created the company after struggling to accurately dose her medical marijuana. She made it her mission to create the world’s first in-home cannabis decarboxylation device so cannabis users could easily activate THC and CBD cannabinoids in their flower and partake of alternative methods of consumption (such as eating or infusing as opposed to smoking). 

Since then, Ardent has gone on to develop a variety of products that make it easy to enjoy the therapeutic effects of cannabis at home, from infusers and infusion kits to the new “Easy Bake Ardent” and the popular NOVA Decarboxylator. The products are gaining traction across the U.S. and Canada, making Ardent a cannabis startup to watch this year. 

2. Baker (rebranding as Blackbird)

Colorado-based Baker (which seems to be in the process of rebranding as Blackbird) is on a mission to make the cannabis shopping experience more personal. 

It does that by helping dispensaries connect with their customers through a variety of tech-based solutions, including data analytics, messaging, online ordering menus and tools, and a customer loyalty program. 

That’s not all this CRM can do. The platform combines robust customer management tools with e-commerce, distribution, and inventory management software. The suite of tools can be tailored to both retail and wholesale brands. 

All of this helps explain why the company already works with more than 1,000 dispensaries across the U.S. and Canada ⁠— and why it was able to raise an $8 million Series A round funding. Expect Blackbird to begin working with more dispensaries this year. 

3. CannaPay

When it comes to the cannabis industry, payment processing is notoriously tricky. Many conventional payment processors won’t work with cannabis companies, so the industry has had to get creative. 

Out of that creativity, a number of daring startups have emerged. One of the standouts is CannaPay, a payment processing startup focused exclusively on the cannabis industry. 

The CannaPay team has experience with pretty much every aspect of payment processing, from establishing retail and point-of-sale (POS) systems to handling mobile payments, navigating the world of high-risk credit card processing, and installing specialized software and hardware. The team’s breadth of experience allows them to offer tailored and scalable payment processing solutions for cannabis companies of all stripes. 

One of the startup’s standout features is its debit payment app, which allows cannabis consumers to link their checking account and make payments through the app (no ATM required). This user-friendly feature is helping CannaPay lead the charge on the tech-enabled payments that are no doubt the way of the future. 

4. Confident Cannabis 

Confident Cannabis has zeroed in on two niches within the cannabis industry: B2B and lab testing. Here’s how: The startup provides wholesale cannabis and lab testing software for cannabis business operators. It also connects B2B companies through an online product gallery. 

Wholesale cannabis businesses can utilize Confident Cannabis’ tools to test their products and analyze that data over time. But the startup’s services go way beyond testing. 

Companies who test their products through Confident Cannabis can choose to enroll in the startup’s Wholesale Gallery, where other companies can browse their products. It’s a two-way street that also lets Confident Cannabis clients peruse the gallery to discover new products and monitor vendors. To date, the gallery boasts more than 8,000 products and counting. 

The startup launched in 2015, and it claims its Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is now used in 16 markets and by more labs nationwide than any other LIMS (or 40% of labs across the U.S.). That’s a ton of growth for five short years! 

The company’s progress to date is no doubt partly due to the fact that Confident Cannabis was launched by four Stanford Business School alumni. Based on their existing track record, we expect more growth from them this year. 

5. Flowhub

When Business Insider asked 15 top cannabis investors to identify the cannabis startups they’re most excited about this year, Flowhub’s name kept coming up. The dispensary retail management platform has been around since 2015, and in that time the startup has raised a whopping $27 million and landed an ongoing seat at the table of cannabis startups to watch. 

The passionate team of compliance experts, techies, and legalization advocates at Flowhub has created a suite of tools that assist dispensaries with both front- and back-of-house operations so they can run their businesses more effectively. To that end, Flowhub’s platform assists with compliance, supply chain data, inventory management, business intelligence data, and point-of-sale. 

Their point-of-sale software, in particular, has earned the company rave reviews from VCs and dispensary owners alike. And it’s a big part of why Flowhub is now used by thousands of cannabis retailers and other partners across the U.S., to the tune of processing more than one billion dollars in annual sales. Expect that number to get even bigger this year. 

6. Flow Kana

Alongside Flowhub, Flow Kana garnered several votes on the Business Insider roundup referenced above. 

Since its founding in 2014, the company ⁠— which packages, markets, and distributes cannabis from organic California cultivators — has raised $175 million in funding. Flow Kana claims to be the “first sustainable, sungrown cannabis brand to embrace and represent California’s Emerald Triangle and its family-run, small-batch, independent farm ecosystem.” 

Not surprisingly, the company does a lot to support the farmers with whom it partners. That support includes providing farmers with a scalable platform, sharing the Flow Kana team’s marketing savvy, and linking farmers to a statewide distribution network. 

Flow Kana also partners with dispensaries throughout California, providing them with a “one-stop shop for clean, compliant cannabis products of the highest quality.” Their transparent supply chain appeals to consumers who are looking for pesticide-free and high-quality cannabis products. 

This value-driven approach has garnered the attention of a variety of VCs, who like that Flow Kana leverages the power of marketing and distribution networks to link high-quality farmers with cannabis retailers and consumers throughout the state of California. 

7. Fyllo

Up-and-comer Fyllo is a very new startup in the cannabis scene; it just launched in 2019. But this marketing platform for cannabis brands is already making a splash, having raised $18 million in funding to date. 

According to Business Insider, VCs are keeping their eye on Fyllo because it’s rapidly emerging as a leader in programmatic cannabis advertising. That’s thanks in no small part to the fact that the company was founded by folks with executive ad-tech experience. 

The company has also earned high marks for its focus on compliance, which helps ensure that any advertising conducted with the help of Fyllo will be compliant with local regulations. 

Fyllo’s enterprise-grade suite of tools can help cannabis companies remain compliant while tackling all sorts of marketing-related goals, from gathering audience data and analytics to geo-targeting dispensaries, accessing and understanding local and federal cannabis regulations, expanding their brand’s reach, and more. 

It’s clear the team at Fyllo knows their stuff, and VCs aren’t the only ones taking notice. A broad range of companies, from localized dispensaries to large businesses, have signed up to use Fyllo’s services. All of this helps explain why the company is emerging as a leader in cannabis marketing software. 

8. Leaf

Growing cannabis at home is notoriously difficult, and startup Leaf is on a mission to make that process dramatically easier. 

The Leaf is a relatively compact, fully enclosed grow system that can be used to grow cannabis as well as a range of herbs and produce, including mint, strawberries, wheat grass, kale, spinach, basil, and more. 

Though the Leaf has hit a few road bumps on its way to market, the finished product promises to help users grow plants easily and successfully thanks to convenient features including temperature and humidity control, automatic nutrient dosing, water level and pH sensors, LED lighting, and more. The pesticide-free system comes with a carbon filter that helps ensure smells don’t escape, and it comes with step-by-step video instructions and smartphone syncing. 

Ensuring that the product meets all of its promises is a tall order, but so far Leaf has seen high demand. If they can pull it off, they’ll help revolutionize the home growing of cannabis. We’re definitely keeping an eye on this cannabis startup in 2020.  

9. LeafLink

LeafLink shows up repeatedly on roundups of standout cannabis startups, and for good reason. 

Since its founding in 2016, the wholesale management platform has raised upwards of $50 million and is now valued around $255 million. Over the past few years, the team at LeafLink has developed what is now the largest online marketplace for wholesale cannabis. 

That marketplace includes a suite of products targeted at cannabis brands, distributors, and retailers looking to streamline everything from ordering, CRM, reporting, fulfillment, and shipment. The platform serves as a hub where brands and retailers can easily connect, partner, and grow. 

Already, a number of heavy hitters in the cannabis space ⁠utilize the platform, including apothecanna, Wana, and Mary’s Medicinals. With ambassadors like these, expect LeafLink to continue attracting elite clientele. 

10. Leaf Trade

Leaf Trade has developed an ordering and fulfillment platform for the buying and selling of wholesale, licensed cannabis and hemp, and business is booming. According to Pitchbook, the venture-backed startup closed a $4.5 million seed deal that’s helping to skyrocket its growth. 

The platform connects licensed cannabis vendors and dispensaries and relies on analytics to support ordering, fulfillment, and marketing. Here’s how it works: Sellers build a custom storefront on the platform, buyers place orders with the seller(s) of their choice, and sellers package and ship the order. The whole process is compliant and trackable. 

It seems straightforward, but there’s genius to the simplicity. Cannabis cultivators and processors enjoy streamlined order and fulfillment processes as well as effective inventory management, while dispensaries can buy quickly, track shipment statuses, and manage multiple store locations from a single device. 

To put it more simply: Leaf Trade has virtually eliminated the need for emails, spreadsheets, and other time-sucking activities that are part and parcel of more conventional ordering and fulfillment processes. 

That’s a win for so many companies, and it’s why we expect big things from this startup moving forward. 

11. Lobo Genetics

Lobo Genetics deserves a spot on this list if for no other reason than it’s so darn unique. This Toronto-based startup (which is a spin-off from parent company Spartan BioScience) offers on-demand cannabis DNA testing. 

If you’re not sure what that means, let us elucidate: The startup has created a piece of  hardware that conducts DNA analysis on mouth swabs to measure cannabis users’ ability to metabolize both THC (the psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis) and CBD (the cannabinoid most commonly associated with cannabis’ calming and pain-relieving effects). 

Users register online for a kit, use the cheek swab that’s sent to them, mail the swab back to the company, then receive results on their smartphone. The company says its genetic test can also give users insights into their mental health risk factors as they pertain to THC use, as well as a better understanding of how THC might affect their memory. 

The goal is to help cannabis users better understand their response to cannabis so they can make healthy, informed decisions about their cannabis users. The startup just kicked off in 2018, so keep an eye on their growth this year! 

12. Tcheck

Much like Lobo Genetics, Tcheck stands out in a sea of cannabis startups because it’s tackling a unique issue within the space. 

Tcheck has harnessed the power of UV spectrometry to create user-friendly tools that allow cannabis edible makers, growers, and enthusiasts to test edible ingredients, buds, and concentrates in order to get a clear sense of the dose involved. 

For example, those making cannabis-infused edibles can safely and clearly determine the dose of each edible by testing the potency of their infused butter, oil, or alcohol. Folks can also test their home- or commercially grown bud or concentrates (e.g. rosin). The tests are quick and simple, and they can be run from a smartphone using the Tcheck app. 

The end result? Edible makers can achieve greater consistency and clearer dosing from batch to batch; commercial cannabis growers can get a sense of their crop’s worth; and everyday users can ensure they’re dosing consistently and at levels that feel good. 

It’s a quick and simple solution for an issue that’s long plagued cannabis growers and consumers, which helps explain why Tcheck is rapidly growing in popularity. The brand launched the second generation of its handheld testing device in 2018, and we’re looking forward to what they do next. 

13. Würk

Like LeafLink, Würk is a repeat shower on many a list of cannabis startups to watch. 

The company describes itself as “the future of workforce management for cannabis software.” To that end, it offers software and services to manage the human side of running a cannabis business, from time keeping to payroll, scheduling, recruiting, onboarding, compliance, taxes, and HR. 

Think of it, the company’s website says, as “an entire  human resources department in one platform.”

Würk’s platform can be tailored to small, mid-size, and large companies, meaning it’s equipped to help cannabis companies of all stripes effectively manage their teams ⁠— and it can grow alongside companies as they scale. By helping cannabis companies navigate compliance, tax structures, and industry-specific employment law, the platform gives them a greater chance of scaling in the first place. That helps explain why Würk has raised $16.2 million and counting. 

14. Vangst

Colorado-based Vangst is a cannabis job site and staffing solutions platform that’s leading the charge for on-demand recruitment tech in the cannabis space. 

The platform features cannabis-related jobs in pretty much every category imaginable, including cultivation, extraction, finance, operations, technology, engineering, sales, marketing, and other administrative and executive roles. It also provides a place for cannabis companies to fill temporary positions (such as trimming or harvesting) with vetted job seekers. 

The vertical hiring platform currently serves markets in Colorado and California, but after securing $10 million in Series A funding, it’s looking to expand into 10 additional states and Canada by the end of this year. Those are big plans, and that’s why we’ve got our eye on Vangst in 2020.

Watch these Cannabis Startups in 2020 and Beyond 

Each of the startups listed here earned a spot on this list because it’s doing something unprecedented, disruptive, effective, or just plain interesting. In all cases, these startups have demonstrated that they’re growing in popularity and/or funding and have thus laid the foundation for even more growth this year. 

While the Covid-19 pandemic has made the future of startups in every industry less certain, the companies listed here have proven that they have a good chance of weathering the economic storm and emerging successfully on the other side. 

No matter what the future holds, we’re keeping an eye on these exciting cannabis startups in 2020 and hopefully beyond. 

By Alexa Peters

For thousands of years, women have been mavens of plant-based medicine, using cannabis to treat everything from menstrual cramps to polycystic ovary syndrome. Still, when it comes to the industry of cannabis, it has long been dominated by men—particularly white men. 

For instance, in a 2019 report from Vangst, which surveyed 166 cannabis businesses across 17 states—38.5 percent of employees identified as women, but only 17.6 percent of these women held leadership roles like “Executive” or “Director.”

What’s more, according to a Marijuana Business Daily survey of 389 cannabis businesses in the U.S., only 19% of respondents who had launched a cannabis business and/or had an ownership stake in a cannabis company were racial minorities.

The reasons for the lack of diversity in the cannabis industry are complex, and inevitably tied to broader systems of power that perpetuates sexism and racism. When those systems intersect with the cannabis space, it spells a long history of white men having better social and economic access to cannabis. 

After all, as far back as the American colonies, the cultivation and distribution of hemp was controlled by entirely by white colonist men, and that precedent continued throughout the long history of cannabis prohibition, according to Vice. Culturally, too, marijuana has been made a pillar of hyper-masculine groups like the jazz musicians, hippies, rappers, skaters, and now the corporate leaders that have dominated the industry. 

There’s very little women’s representation in cannabis’ past and present, so it’s no wonder that many women continue to feel excluded from and intimidated by the legal cannabis industry. That said, as cannabis legalization has gained more steam over the last decade, some women have emerged as leaders and vital role models to the next wave of canna-curious women. 

With authenticity, grit and purpose, these 7 women have forged their own paths in the space and are creating a more inclusive cannabis industry in the process.

1) Shanel Lindsay — Founder and CEO of Ardent Life, Inc.

For about a decade, Massachusetts-based lawyer Shanel Lindsay made edibles to treat painful ovarian cysts. In that time, she encountered every edibles-making challenge in the book—in particular the difficulties of decarboxylation, the delicate-but-necessary process of heating cannabis to activate the psychoactive THC content. 

“I knew how frustrating [it could be], from the fact that it smells and it’s hard to do right, and there’s literally no way to look at [heated cannabis] and see whether decarboxylation has been done right,” said Lindsay. 

Inspired to improve access to quality homemade edibles and the tools necessary to make them, Lindsay formed Ardent Life, Inc. in 2015. Ardent’s flagship product is the Nova Precision Decarboxylation device. 

“Before it was like, I’ll water boil a crock pot, or the oven—that was the only way [to achieve decarboxylation.] We are the first device that actually honed in and went to decarboxylate in a particular machine that is controlled in order to meet the time and the temperature parameters necessary to do it right every time,” said Lindsay.

This home decarboxlyator has totally changed the making-edibles-at-home game and made consistent, accurate cannabis dosing a reality for many medical cannabis patients. And, in just a handful of years, Ardent has become a company worth millions. 

For her part, Lindsay hopes her device can make the space less intimidating for the many women who’ve otherwise felt excluded by cannabis culture, so they can reap the plant’s benefits for issues like menstrual cramps, cysts, and more. After all, her success stems largely from embracing her experience as a woman.

“I think there are so many women who have never even considered cannabis as an option and could be benefiting from it, and there are many stories out there of women who have stopped taking everything from opiates to other types of medicine [because of cannabis,]” she said.

“I think that stoner women, if you want to call them that, women who are in traditional cannabis culture, are so under-served in this community. I’m almost 40 right now and I’ve never really felt like there were more than one or two brands at any given time that have spoken to me as a consumer.”

2) Gina Dubbé and Dr. Leslie Apgar — Founders of Greenhouse Wellness, Founders of Women’s Cannabis product line Blissiva

Best friends Gina Dubbé, a serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Leslie Apagar, an OBGYN, also saw benefit in being women when they opened their Maryland-based dispensary Greenhouse Wellness in 2017.

“When we entered this market, there was just nothing that was attractive to women. It was embarrassing. There was “Pootytang” and “G-spot,” there were just a lot of strains so obviously directed at men,” said Apgar.

“We really found that there needed to be a better way. If she and I find something attractive, or she and I like the idea of something, chances are a lot of other women will feel the same. So, when we are true to ourselves and when we represent ourselves authentically, everything we do seems to work out well.”

Hence, the pair designed a sleek dispensary that left room for their kind of feminine—like Dubbé’s personal favorite, fresh flowers—while bringing medical value by providing solid, supported information about cannabis in an approachable way to all their customers, including women.

Eventually, they even created their own line of women-focused cannabis-infused products called Blissiva. Still, they say their approach has been met with many raised eyebrows.

“Honestly being a female in business is always harder. As a society, we don’t assume that women are in charge. If you meet a woman in the airline industry you assume she’s a flight attendant, you don’t assume she’s a pilot. Why is that the case?” said Apgar.

Still, Apgar and Dubbé believe so much in their unique perspective as women in the industry they wrote a book about it called High Heals.

“It’s a gift for us to be women in this industry because we bring a totally fresh perspective and women are the ones who initiate healthcare for their entire families, for themselves and their families,” said Apgar.

“So, it’s really important that we are here and we are very vociferous in sharing what we think the market needs, and what we need to provide to the market. And it’s been very well received.”

3) Mary Pryor — Co-Founder of Cannaclusive, Chief Marketing officer for TONIC CBD

(Photo credit: ericalovejones)

In 2013, Mary Pryor discovered she had Crohn’s disease, and the autoimmune disorder completely “ravaged” her life. Then she found cannabis.

Cannabis worked so well to address her suffering, Pryor was inspired to learn more about cannabis as medicine and transition into the industry. But, as she got acquainted with the space, she was appalled at its racial and gender inequities.

“I made a transition out to LA to kind of like get into the industry and then I realized that it was super racist, and not really as open as people think. And I ended up kind of having to create my own space with a few others,” she said. “It’s mostly white males. Whenever we got to an event, you always feel like one of the few for sure.”

In response, Pryor got together with friends Tonya Rapley and Charlese Antoinette and formed Cannaclusive in 2017, a collective focused on elevating minority voices in the industry and facilitating their fair representation. The collective addresses this issue in particular by providing more diverse stock photography through their Flicker photo series, and by offering educational events and cannabis career consultation for women and people of color.

“We wanted to find a way to promote positive imagery of people using cannabis. [People who use cannabis] are often criminalized for it, and we wanted to do our best to find a way to do events to make people feel more comfortable. Cannabis events can be very one-way, super, super white, and not really diverse at all. Eventually we found ourselves being educators and people who bring awareness to what’s really happening in the space,” she said.

Along with educating and consulting on diversity, Pryor and Cannaclusive are loud advocates for more progressive cannabis legislation. 

As Pryor told the blog MJLifestyle, “Progressive cannabis legislation looks like a law that supports community reinvestment—programs, incubators, and job training to work within the cannabis industry. Not everyone needs to be a grower or dispensary owner, but there are a lot of jobs created by legalization, including ancillary businesses. Progressive cannabis legislation looks like releasing non-violent drug offenders for cannabis. You can’t have large amounts of black and brown bodies behind bars, while cannabis businesses turn a profit.”

4) Kimberly Dillon – Founder of Plant & Prosper, Former Chief Marketing at Papa & Barkley

A veteran of the San Francisco mobile app boom, entrepreneur Kimberly Dillon had an inkling early on that cannabis would be the next big thing for health and wellness. In 2016, she joined the team at Papa & Barkley, and became one of the first marketers to craft the conversation around CBD, THC and wellness.

“In 2016, a lot of the yoga studios and gyms wouldn’t necessarily allow cannabis but I could talk about hemp. So, I would say things like ‘it’s a CBD rich balm,’ [and talk about how] mainly CBD as a topical and [as] non-psychoactive. With the passing of the Farm Bill, CBD exploded and this whole vision of wellness became ubiquitous,” said Dillon.

Once the CBD space exploded, Dillon left Papa & Barkley to form her own business—Plant & Prosper—in June 2019. Plant & Prosper is a California-based consulting collective of executives and experts that provides marketing coaching and assistance to start-ups in the burgeoning hemp/CBD market.

“My motivation when I got into the space was to de-stigmatize cannabis and also how to promote a wellness version of the plant. And that vision has mainly come true, so now my vision is twofold –  how can [the industry] be more inclusive, and [more innovative.]”

One way she is being more inclusive, is by bringing mental health into the cannabis wellness conversation. In fact, Dillon is also working on adaptogenic haircare line using cannabinoids—one of the first of its kind. “It uses different cannabinoids and adaptogens to address hair loss due to stress,” she said.

As for issues of women’s representation in the industry, Dillon says she feels even more aware of sexism in the cannabis industry then she did outside of it, and that its especially hard for women in a new industry with so few official mechanisms in place to protect them.

“There was an incident that happened with a colleague of mine who was a CEO of a pretty well-performing cannabis brand here in California and she had a pretty offensive thing happen to her and she was like, ‘who can I talk to who has power to help me navigate this situation?’ And that was fascinating, because who has power that can help you navigate that and it was a very short list of people, right?” said Dillon.

Because of this, Dillon says women have to work the back-channels and suggests they align themselves with both the growing community women in cannabis as well as male allies with power.

“Sometimes you need access to money and power and often times the people with money and power are not yet women,” said Dillon. “I also feel like there’s a lot of conscientious men in this space so it’s about making sure you’re mentoring up. I find that women sometimes mentor across at the same level.” 

5) Elana Frankel — Founder and Editor in Chief of Women and Weed Magazine, Co-Founder of Indigo and Haze

After cannabis helped Elana Frankel recover from a traumatic brain injury in 2015, she decided to form created two cannabis businesses, united in the mission to create more access, education and inspiration in the cannabis space.

First, Frankel formed Indigo and Haze, a highly-curated marketplace for women to learn about and sell their own cannabis products, which she modeled off of the underground “cannabis Tupperware parties” she used to host.

“[They were like] Tupperware parties for women, except [with] CBD. I would go to women’s houses all over the country, they would invite ten friends, we’d sit around and we’d talk about cannabis. We’d talk about the stigma, the power of it, the therapeutics of it, the fun of it, and everything that sort of was going on in the world of cannabis,” said Frankel.

“Lots of women didn’t know about it, lots of women were curious about it, some women had already heard about it but didn’t know what it was, so we spent a lot of time educating women, talking to women, and eventually I started bringing samples with me to these events.”

Indigo and Haze, an e-commerce site, helps create better access for cannabis-interested women—but Frankel also wanted to create a resource for education and inspiration.

So, Frankel, previously a content producer for Conde Nast, New York Times, and Hearst, formed Women & Weed magazine. In March 2020, she also published a book, “Women and Weed.”

“I approached a publisher to create Women & Weed magazine to fulfill that sort of need, so it not only provided really good, truthful, authentic, reliable information for women, written by journalists, because it also gave women jobs,” said Frankel.

In the end, Frankel says women’ in weed is a very complex issue—influenced by many political, social, cultural, economic, one can’t control, as well as the fact that cannabis is so quickly evolving. Her secret to success as a woman in the field has been similar to other women in this list—trusting your intuition.

“You need to go with your intuition, and it’s really important because there are so many voices in this industry, especially CBD, so many voices, so many people, everybody’s doing the this, everybody’s doing that,” she said. “

You really have to quiet the noise, go deep inside your own intuition and trust in that. That’s what I’ve done.”

6) Shaleen Title— Commissioner at the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

Shaleen Title has long been a vital part of the cannabis advocacy efforts in the United States and has worked toward the goal of fair regulation in cannabis from the perspective of activist, lawyer, entrepreneur, and now, government regulator.

“After several years as an activist pushing for legal cannabis for medical patients and for adults over 21, I got to work on the campaign to legalize marijuana in Colorado in 2012. I also worked on the campaign to legalize marijuana in 2010 in California,” said Title. “I practiced law after that with a focus on small businesses, and seeing how hard it was for them made me advocate for policies to support small and local and minority-owned businesses. In the meantime, I started a recruiting firm emphasizing diversity in cannabis.”

In the more than a decade Title has been in the industry, she’s accomplished much—but her newest position is her most influential yet. In September 2017, she became the Commissioner at the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, which is dedicated to safely and effectively implementing the laws for access to medical and adult use marijuana in the state.

“I would guess my prominence is related to honesty – people trust me to call it like I honestly see it. That credibility has always been very valuable to me, more than money or any particular career path, and I work to keep earning it,” said Title.

Title says the best thing about being a woman in cannabis is the sisterhood, and the worst thing is that the initial gains women made in cannabis’s early years are being stamped out by corporate greed and all that comes with it.

“The worst thing is that we are starting to lose the initial gains we made in the early years, when it was easier to become a leader based on skill because we didn’t have an entrenched status quo, because the industry has now been infiltrated by greed, and it has brought traditional power structures, racism, and sexism along with it as who controls capital has become more important than skill,” said Title.  

Bearing this in mind, Title recommends women who’d like to get into cannabis lawmaking or lobbying educate themselves on cannabis issues, acquaint themselves with their elected officials, and try not to be intimidated by all the men in suits.

“Even though in my experience there are many more male lobbyists, women are likely to have the skills that you need to be effective at citizen lobbying, just because of all the relationships and work we already have to balance,” said Title. “Know your stuff (and you probably know more than you think), know what you want, ask for it, be persistent and follow up, and don’t be annoying or rude. Basically, don’t think that you are not worthy of influencing the laws and regulations that affect you. You are just as smart as the people creating them.”

7) Ophelia Chong — Founder of Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, Founder and CEO of MOGU.Care

Ophelia Chong has long been an advocate for Asian American women in the cannabis industry first as the founder of Stock Pot Images, the first stock photo agency specialized exclusively in cannabis-related imagery, and next as co-founder of the Asian American for Cannabis Education.

Chong formed Stock Pot Images in 2015 after noticing overt racism while working for Getty Images.

“I went to Getty and I typed in the stereotypical words people use: ‘stoner,’ ‘weed,’ ‘pot.’ And the images that came up were African American men, and the key words for these images were ‘criminal,’ ‘addict,’ ‘drug dealer,’ ‘illegal.’ And then if you clicked on a white guy it was ‘cannabis user,’ ‘recreational,’” said Chong. “I was appalled because Getty is a billion-dollar company that had overt racism in their key-wording.”

Shortly thereafter, Chong doubled down on her inclusion efforts by founding Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, an advocacy group designed to connect and empower Asian communities in cannabis, and to educate the public on cannabis issues affecting Asians all over the world. Through social media, education, events, and networking opportunities, AACE offers members the chance to connect and learn about where cannabis and Asiana heritage intersect. 

As Chong emphasizes, Asian Americans face unique issues relating to cannabis use and acceptance because of historical and cultural differences, as well as social stigma. But she also notes that Asians are natural members of the cannabis community because they have practiced plant-based medicine for millennia.

“It is almost as though I’m reliving my own Chinese ancestral history of using the plants that they had discovered, not that they were the first to discover but they wrote a lot about it,” said Chong. “And realizing that I’m following the path of my grandfather who was an herbal doctor. Looking back in my ancestry I have a long connection to plant medicine.”

Chong is taking that ancestral connection even further with her new company, Mogu.Care, which ventures into the world of psilocybin mushrooms as an ancillary company that provides access to a supply chain for this medicine.

“I have found that people, Asian Americans, are as much into cannabis as they are psilocybin. It is not just cannabis, THC, CBD, THC-A—all that. There’s also other plant medicine too. Asians have a history of 2000 years of mushroom growing and mushroom medicine,” she said.

Chong’s advice to women looking to enter the cannabis (and now psychedelic mushroom) industry is to be proud of and work with what you got, just like she did. 

“I’m female, I’m short, and I’m Asian. That’s content. I can just be female and in cannabis, that’s still good, but I also had the extra kick! Asians in cannabis, don’t see many of those! Which is still true. I really used that,” said Chong. “For women going into business, I would really look at what is it about you that’s different.”