Know Your Growers

from Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2021 - Two

Let’s Get Buzzed

KNOW YOUR

Growing cannabis is a bit of an art form and takes a lot of work to ensure the conditions are just right. From the growing medium used, to the amount of sunlight the plants receive, the pH levels of the water, and not over or underwatering, and knowing when to trim the plants, are just the basics. From there, the team must have expertise in harvesting and the process that comes next. Having a team of growers who are invested in a role that’s not only technically a lot of work, but also physically taxing, is key.

In general, most cannabis grow operations need a few key positions to oversee all of these tasks, but the roles can also get very specific. In the grow, those roles typically include a cultivation director, master grower, section growers, trimmers, plant technicians and a system control specialist. Once the cannabis is harvested, another group of experts takes over which can involve a post-harvest manager, a lab director, a quality director, a concentrates processor, and an edibles chef. Then the retail operations kick in – a facilities manager and manufacturing manager will focus on the business side of processing the product, packagers will make the cannabis and products ready for sale, then a store manager and retail associates are presented with what they need to know to sell the products.

Growers

STORY BY ERIKA LEIGH PHOTOS SUBMITTED & ISTOCK

Everyone’s team is a little different. At Canna Provisions, Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski heads up the cultivation efforts after years of growing on his own (see “Just Call Him ‘The Dogfather’” pg. 30). Their team of growers is staffed with people with a passion for pot, led by Director of Growth, Johnny Hamala.

“We got to really hand-pick and hand-choose everybody on our team,” Hamala said. “We’ve done –knock on wood—a pretty good job of getting a group of very dedicated individuals who know what it takes to get this done.”

Cultivation Directors, which is essentially what Hamala’s job entails, are responsible for ensuring the production of cannabis that is commercially viable and meets state and federal compliance standards, while Krzanowski’s role is more that of a master grower – someone who manages the growth operations –producing high quality cannabis and injecting artistry into creation of new strains of the plant. Their team includes growers who are responsible for harvest and trim and another group responsible for the post-harvest aspects of the job, but everyone is crosstrained. They say, the key to working in cannabis: You have to love it.

“If you don’t have a passion and you don’t love this, it’s probably not going to work for you,” Hamala said. “It’s not selling shoes, or insurance – and there’s nothing wrong with those, I’ve done both.”

“You’ve got to have a passion for the plant,” Krzanowski said. “I mean, anybody can do it, but we don’t want to do it like that. We want to do it with our passion. I’m always in there looking at the plants. You have to be in there every day, you’re on your feet. It’s constant moving.”

Some cannabis teams break up these roles – where trimmers are strictly responsible for trimming the plants for aesthetic appeal and growth, harvesting the buds and drying them, while a section grower is in charge of a specific area of the grow or strain of plant. Section growers take on the regular role of any gardener – master or hobby – by managing the planting and transplanting as needed, checking the soil, ensuring the plants are being watered properly and getting enough light. Then a system control specialist will make sure those growers have all the tools they need – HVAC systems, grow lights and irrigation—and that they’re working properly.

“A lot of the things that you’re doing, you’re doing several hundred times a day and being able to keep the focus and notice the little, teeny, tiny things, appreciate it and get through the hard work…we keep using the word, ‘passion’ but it really is a vital need,” said Canna Provisions COO Erik Williams.

For grows that break up the roles, the post-harvest team is generally responsible for drying and curing the yield – and it’s literally a science. Part of the plant is cut and sold as the flower – or bud – while the rest of the yield becomes every other cannabis infused product on the market – from oils, to edibles and beyond. This team often includes a lab director, who is responsible for all of the traditional laboratory compliance tasks like maintaining scientific equipment, lab processes and quality assurance and quality control procedures. Then a concentrates processor uses all of those policies and procedures for the extraction of cannabis concentrates, to ensure safe, high quality oils are used in the creation of byproducts like lotions, oils, edibles, and more.

Teams can range in age, experience and background, and some grows require a degree in chemistry for the post-harvest operations. In most states, as long as you’re 21, you can work for a grow in some capacity.

The team at Canna Provisions ranges in age from mid-20s to mid60s, men and women, from diverse backgrounds. One team member is a multigenerational cow farmer, while another dropped out of college to pursue growing cannabis – much to the chagrin of his family – but recently wound up in The Wall Street Journal, which has validated his career path for them. A third team member is a former servicemember who was once in trouble for using marijuana.

“We’re just a bunch of pirates,” Hamala said. “It truly is a group of pirates with hearts.”

Once post-harvest work is complete, that’s where the retail operations come in. This group is responsible for creating and packaging products that can be sold in retail stores. From creating attractive packaging for the flower, to baking up a tasty edible that will help someone relax – the manu-

WHO: Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski

GROW ROLE: Director of Cultivation, lead grower, master of craft SPECIAL POWER: Ability to get arrested for 98 plants 10 years ago in Western Massachusetts, and through the state social equity program and some big fans of his legacy and cannabis going back 30 years, later get fully badged and legal to grow the best craft small batch cannabis in the Northeast. FAVORITE STRAIN: Chem 91, Las Vegas Purple Kush, Chem D. KEY QUOTE: “I grow only gas, no wang.”

WHO: Johnny Greenfingaz

GROW ROLE: Grow Manager, Canna Provisions SPECIAL POWER: Being able to swoop into a sparkling grow and make it sparkle harder, or turn things around against all odds when trouble brews, keeps Johnny Greenfingaz (John Hamala) not only seen as a leader in cultivation from his experience in the outdoor California market, but a trusted grower working side-by-side with with the legend Chemdog himself. Also: He’s a brand sponsored fingernail polish influencer. Yes you read that right.

FAVORITE STRAIN: Mass Mosa (West Coast genetics meets Chemdog and Johnny Greenfingaz magic, coming soon to Canna Provisions) KEY QUOTE: “I have known Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders for 30 years and would have lived in a camper behind the cultivation to be able to launch this grow along with Chemdog himself.”

For grows that break up the roles, the post-harvest team is generally responsible for drying and curing the yield – and it’s literally a science.

facturing and retail operations are also a major part of the business that stem from the grow team. While every team and its members have specific roles, it’s not unusual for some cannabis executives to be involved in these operations from the ground up – sometimes even getting their hands dirty, working in the grow.

“There’s a certain spirit that you need to have,” Williams said. “There’s that dedication to your craft, that need to understand that, and just be one with it.”

WHO: Frank Golfieri

GROW ROLE: Head Grower SPECIAL POWER: I have an eye for genetic selection. FAVORITE STRAIN: At Insa Sunshine Daydream, All time favorite tie between Nyc Piff and Sour Diesel. KEY QUOTE: Push it to the limit!

WHO: Chas Summers

GROW ROLE: Operations Manager SPECIAL POWER: Cannabis Photography is my special power. I enjoy highlighting the beauty of cannabis. FAVORITE STRAIN: At INSA Melonade. Personal home grow Pineapple Sorbet. KEY QUOTE: Push it to the limit!

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