4 minute read
Setting Roots in Utah: Who’s Growing Weed in the “Behave” State
All Hail to our Green-Thumbed Local Heroes
It’s been over a year since medical cannabis cultivators have been able to set roots legally in the ‘Behave State,’ and the high demand from the increasing patient population hasn’t given those awarded the coveted grow licenses time to breath – even their own sensi.
Although our medical cannabis program is broken down into three separate groups: cultivation, processing, and pharmacy – growing the plant is where it all starts.
The role of cannabis cultivator is perhaps the most straightforward of all the cannabis industry roles. You plant a seed, water it, and it grows. Badda bing, badda bang. It is called weed, ya know. At least, that’s how the joke goes.
The reality is that the cultivator role is one requiring vast knowledge ranging from cannabis genetics, nutrient and soil chemistry, anatomy and a myriad of other skills both intuitional and learned. Perhaps this is why many can kind’a grow, while others grow da’kind.
Utah has eight cannabis cultivators growing for the medical market. These grows are located in the northern-half of the state from Tooele to Brigham City, Garland to Springville. Each of these cultivators are their own entity and have taken a unique approach to grow cannabis biomass, which is delivered to the processors so it can then be sold to patients in a variety of different forms.
Harvest of Utah grows cannabis in Weber county. The grow facility is run by Brittney Hunter, who with her Master’s Degree in Plant Science is bringing a unique and appreciated perspective to cultivation in the state. Harvest flower can be found in dispensaries under the name Good Sun and Modern Flower. We recommend checking out Lavender Jones, it’s been a favorite around SBC HQ.
Oakbridge Greenhouses is a family run
greenhouse that has specialized in container gardening since 1983. With their cultivation license, they now run a cannabis grow that has focused on producing biomass for edibles and other processed cannabis products such as cartridges and salves. With a home base in West Valley, this grow is also expanding operations in Box Elder County. Oakbridge products can be found via the popular Hygge Chew edibles.
Standard Wellness grows rock-hard
nugs that come in see-through containers. Their supply of cannabis is grown out of beautiful Corrine. Although this flower has been hard to find on pharmacy shelves during their first year of cultivation, strains like MAC, Deadhead OG, GG #4, and Durban Poison have left Utah patients wanting more and excited for future harvests.
Dragonfly Greenhouse has been supply-
ing Utah patients since medical cannabis was available in the state, and the bar was officially raised high. With a year under their belt, Dragonfly Greenhouse continues to grow that same quality herb in their Tooele location. They operate nearly 24,000 sq ft of canopy space and have plans to expand further this year.
True North Organics is located in
Weber County. As a consistent medical product supplier for Perfect Earth Pharmacies, the northern grower has risen to the task of supplying Ogden residents and supplied a variety of cannabis strains that have been sold as flower or processed into cartridges, edibles and more. True North’s recently
released Frosted Sky strain is a highlight of the quality herb True North is growing.
Tryke has been one of the most steadily producing ganja growers in the state with a variety of strains and products on pharmacy shelves at most times. With their facility in Tooele County, the Tryke team has grown cannabis using hydroponics, making them one of few in the state to use this method, and possibly a reason for their consistent bio-mass flow. Patients have appreciated the Nevada born company for growing strains of varying potency and craft, giving new and regular patients something to choose from when visiting their local pharmacy. Their grow operation has consistently been one of the top cannabis producers in the state with thousands of pounds grown to date. Space Monkey, Orange Zkittlez, Riesling, Refined Taste, and the fabled Khalifa Kush cartridges are among the many offerings Tryke has brought to Utah patients.
WholesomeCo grow is still in the developing stages, but has been showing face at their flagship pharmacy located in Bountiful with sporadic flower releases. The WholesomeCo team has been focusing on strain research and building a state-of-the-art grow facility this past year. Although still in their infancy, they have produced some notable strains such as Grape Marmalade and Blue Dream. Keep your eyes peeled for more Wholesome products as their experienced team is set to ramp up production this year.
Zion Cultivars has grown unique, craft cannabis in the state from the beginning of their operation. Shawn Hammond and his team use living soil, craft genetics and heaps of combined cannabis growing experience to bring the fiya. At their brand new facility in Springville, the Zion crew is sure to continue crafting strains that will tantalize novice and mature consumers alike. Zion grown cannabis is also found distilled into tinctures and edibles. SBC