Outdoor vs Indoor Cultivation

STORY BY ADAM STERN PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

OUTDOOR vs INDOOR

Within the cannabis industry there are many terms that as a new customer or industry outsiders may have never heard of or were too shy to ask the Bud Tender at your local dispensary. Today we will be diving into the main differences between indoor and outdoor cultivation operations within the state of Massachusetts.

Cyber Criminals Target the Cannabis Industry

Get into the Weeds of Your Insurance Policy to See if You’re Protected

By Aileen S. Berry, Esq., Professional Lines insurance specialist with Amwins Brokerage in West Palm Beach, FL, and Brian Savitch, Professional Lines insurance specialist with Worldwide Facilities (an Amwins company) in San Francisco, CA.

Protecting both patient and consumer data from hackers should be a top priority for companies operating in the cannabis sector. Both recreational and medicinal operations collect and store personally identifiable, protected health and payment information, as well as frequently handled NDA requirements around growing, extracting and other proprietary processes. As this data is subject to Federal regulations, including HIPAA, failure to protect it can lead to hefty fines and reputational harm. Regulatory bodies also require the tracking of cannabis from seed to sale, which creates the potential for a security breach in tracking software or systems for mobile ordering.

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What is an outdoor cultivation? According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission “outdoor cultivation means the cultivation of mature cannabis without the use of artificial lighting in the canopy area at any point in time. Artificial lighting is permissible only to maintain Immature or Vegetative Mother Plants”. While this might seem like common knowledge to those within the industry or who have researched the industry, many people are still confused about the difference between these two types of operations and what they are. An outdoor cultivation set up is not simple buying a parcel of land, fertilizing it and planting seeds; an outdoor cultivation is in-fact located within a greenhouse which can look like anything from the old plastic cylinder model to modern glass encased freestanding facility that looks more like an art installation rather than a cultivation. These old and new greenhouses utilize natural light, energy, and sometimes water catching technologies that focus on sustainability and natural growth cycles for the plants; however, they are anything but simple to run.

Many of the greenhouses within the cannabis cultivation utilize technologies and software programs that are set by the head grower to maximize growth and yield by programing the greenhouses to provide sunlight, water, and other means of fertilization at set times and schedules via the greenhouses “brain”. While this may sound like something out of science fiction it is being utilized today and, in some cases, pioneered by the cannabis industry. The schedule and routines are dependent on the stage of the plant’s lifecycle, if it is an adult plant, if it is in the nursery, or if it is close to harvest will affect how much light, water, and other nutrients the plants receive.

Two of the main reasons many cannabis groups will choose to have outdoor cultivation operations is because the plants gain their nutrition’s naturally, and the harvest yield is usually higher per square foot then its counterpart because the plants grow taller, and the flower’s bud is usually larger. According to Pete Steimer, director of Cultivation from The Pass, “outdoor cultivation is the most natural way to cultivate cannabis. There is no artificial lighting, no control on temperature, and no predicting when the weather may turn”. However, because the grow process is dependent on weather conditions it is important to keep in mind geographical restriction and conditions. If you place a greenhouse in an area that does not receive a lot of natural light you will not be able to grow as efficiently. What is an indoor cultivation? An indoor cultivation within the cannabis industry is a facility laid out in grids, usually within a newly constructed facility or a gutted and remodeled manufacturing building that has been repurposed for an indoor grow. Walking into these facilities can sometimes feel like you are walking into a CDC Clean room. As quoted by Green Thumb Joe Centracchio (Regional Director of Operations), “protecting the environment in which the plants are grown and limiting the potential for outside influences. For example, street clothes are not allowed inside grow rooms due to the threat of spreading any outside contaminants”. First you must change out of street cloths, put on a clean suit, and make sure you are disinfected, then you are usually led into a hallway with many closed doors. Behind each of these doors is a different room for different stages of the plants or different strains of flower being cultivated. Each room from the nursery to the mother clones has different lighting, water, fertilization, and maintenance.

Walking through an Indoor grow can be quite the experience the first time, from the atmosphere to the clean rooms it can sometimes feel more like a science experiment than a cultivation for cannabis, but as we

FLOWER.OWER. ELEVATED.V TED

Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

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enter each of the rooms the reason behind these precautions becomes clear. Each room holds dozens if not hundreds of plants ranging in size, color, texture, and smell. What is amazing is how you cannot smell anything outside, but in each of the rooms the aromas of flowers, water, and fertilization is clearly there. Each room within an indoor grow operation can feel so different and unique, as quoted by 253’s Seth Rutherford, “we have a total of 11 grow rooms – 1 Mother/Clone room, 3 Veg(etation) rooms, and 7 flower rooms” and each of these rooms range from plants the size of small air plants to those reaching eye level and near harvest; there are even some rooms no one except one person is allowed in to ensure no cross contamination, which is another reason why cleanliness is so important within indoor grow operation.

Two reasons many cannabis businesses will want to have an indoor grow operation are for quality control standards to create specific strains and “Growing indoors allows for consistent, perpetual harvests all year long” (quoted by 253 Farmacy’s Seth Rutherford), that is not dependent on natural light or geographical limitation. While the total yield of each harvest within an indoor grow operation is not as large as an outdoor grow, it is a guaranteed and consistent grow operation with greater checks and balances on pest and cross

contamination, as quoted by Green Thumb “Plant health is a top priority”.

Setting up and sustaining an outdoor cultivation Creating an outdoor cultivation can often yield the greatest harvest and require a lower cost because according to Pete Steimer from The Pass, “Growing outdoor you are fully dependent on the sun allowing for a significant reduction in energy consumption. Besides irrigation pumps, there is minimal electrical output needed to operate an indoor grow operation”, but setting up a successfully and sustainable outdoor facility can be a daunting task.

The first step is finding a parcel of land that is both zoned properly and graded to meet the standards of the type, size, and number of greenhouses.

When it comes to picking out the land to build your outdoor cultivation on it is important to keep several factors in mind; ensure that it is properly and legally zoned for cannabis cultivation (each state and municipality has its own restrictions), ensure the land can be graded and has a secure foundation to support a large operation, and has plenty of direct sunlight. Many times, setting up the foundation can be one of the more time consuming and costly stages of setting up a successful outdoor cultivation because the greenhouses have certain foundation requirements based on the size, weight, and location; if you are in a high wind area you will want to ensure your greenhouse won’t blow away which will require stronger foundations and mountings, but if you are growing in a state where snow may become an issue you will want a greenhouse with a thicker shell that can maintain constant insulation for the plants no matter the outside temperature.

After picking a proper location it’s time to decide what type of greenhouse you will want to purchase and how many. Just like with an indoor operation, it is important to have different rooms for different stages of the plants and types to ensure there is no contamination or cross-pollination. Usually when starting out many cultivations’ operations will want about 3 greenhouses to ensure each stage has its own greenhouse as the lead grower needs to set specific conditions for different stages of growth.

When talking with your local greenhouse company and contractor make sure and discuss the different options and advantages for the many different types of physical greenhouse buildings as well as the different materials the buildings are made of. Again, picking out the right greenhouse can be the difference between a successful outdoor cultivation and not, which is why it is important to understand the different options, costs, and advantages of

different types of greenhouses and the materials it is built with.

Once the greenhouse has been picked, along with the locations, it is time to start deciding on the light deprivation systems and the brains for your greenhouse. The light deprivation system is a system built into each of the greenhouses that allows the growers to setup schedules for the plants to get natural sunlight or blacked out completely. The systems are set on timers based on the growth cycle and stage of the plants. The “brain” of the greenhouse is the computer system and software used to control the light deprivation systems, setting timers for watering, and setting up circulation through fan systems to ensure proper temperature and humidity (as well as to ensure the outside does not smell).

One of the last things to consider when finalizing your greenhouse set up is how you will plant and water your cannabis flowers. There are many options, but the two most common are placing plants on a palate all in large piece of soil, and the other is setting up each plant in its own individual pot. Because growing is a mixture of art and science, each grower will have their own preferred method depending on the type of set up, the number of plants, and the stage at which the plant is entering. Each of these methods has pros and cons from costs to yield and

will depend on your set up, location, and lead grower’s preference. Setting up and sustaining an indoor cultivation When the industry first started out many indoor grow operations would actually be in people’s houses or basements, and obviously, not grown in the most hygienic or secure facilities. Nowadays there are so many rules and restrictions most indoor cultivations

are zoned only within manufacturing districts and never allowed near residential. The changes to the culture and the customer demand have ensured that both products and facilities are

Just like with an indoor operation, it is important to have different rooms for different stages of the plants and types to ensure there is no contamination or cross-pollination.

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of the highest standards, which is why picking your facility and setting it up for long term success is crucial. Some of the key features to keep in mind when setting up your indoor facility are the building, the utility services, the size of the facility, and how much time/money to retrofit the building for a grow operation. To ensure their commitment to the community and to eliminate any risk “Green Thumb uses a specific filtration system that eliminates odor transfer. Our facilities are typically stand-alone buildings to limit any spread of smell into the community.” (as quoted by Joe Centracchio). These stand-alone buildings are usually old manufacturing buildings re-purposed or newly created mason buildings.

Location, Location, Location, just as with almost every other business properly setting up a good location which is easily accessible for pickups and deliveries, clear lines of sight for security and cameras, hooked up for utility services, and large enough to house your different grow rooms and drying rooms. The location can be dependent on the size of the facility as well, whether you are looking for a 40,000 sq ft facility like Green Thumb, or a 11-grow room operation like 253. Setting up a successful indoor cultivation is all about finding an empty warehouse, manufacturing facility, or a parcel of land that is zoned properly to build a custom building for your grow operation. The location, just as with greenhouses, must be permitted and zoned properly by the state and municipality. Working with a local real estate agent that you can trust is key within the first stages of picking out your location, they know the community, zoning restrictions, and can help negotiate deals with land or business owners.

Before construction starts one of the first things as cultivation operation you want to ensure is that you have all the proper documents and land/ building lease or purchase options. It is always best to own the property you are starting your cultivation on, but if you are signing a lease make sure the owner of the property knows what you plan on doing at the location and that you have at least a 3–5-year lease with the option to extend. It will take several months to build and retrofit the facility for cannabis cultivation, then another couple of months to actually grow your first harvest, which could mean you don’t see your first sales until 6-8 months, which is why having a long term lease or owning the property is so important with cultivation; the last thing you want is for 2 years to come up, you are profitable, and the land owner says “time for you to go”.

Utilities, from internet to water ensuring your facility has access to each of these is crucial as each stage of your plants lifecycle will usually require 12+ hours of lighting and regular intervals of watering, through hydroponic systems. According to 253 Farmacy’s Seth Rutherford “Watering is generally done through drip irrigation for consistent delivery to the plants. Lighting is provided by ceramic metal halide bulbs which closely mimic actual sunlight, more so than other types of bulbs.” Most cultivations will have generators and extra water supplies to ensure your harvest never suffers from water or power being shut off due to weather conditions or blackouts. Internet is another important utility as you will more than likely set up your grow operations to be on set timers and schedules with minimal human interactions to ensure no mold or diseases affect the plants. Once your facility is picked out, your contracts are in place and you are happy with your local utility services, it’s time to start building your facility. As quoted by Green Thumb’s Joe Centracchio, “Our goal is to create an environment that naturally allows the plants to grow while supplementing them with optimal light, humidity, and nutrition as nature would intend”. Most indoor grow facilities will have several different rooms each serving different purposes during the plant’s lifecycle. At the very least you will want a room for your Mother plants, a room for your clones, a nursery, a room for the vegetative state, and a room for the plants to flower. Most indoor grows will have

each seed placed in its own pot on a mobile palate that can be moved to different rooms based on the stage the plant is in and will be moved to different pots with different light and water rotations based on the stage the plant is in. Setting up each room with the proper controls, hydroponic systems, and lighting schedules will become a standard practice within your facility based on your lead growers experience, preferences, and type of strain they are growing.

Key Differences As we are going through what a grow operation is, it is clear there are differences, besides the obvious, between outdoor and indoor grow operations, and many growers have their preferences based on the way they were taught, where you are growing, and the amount of money being invested into the facility. Whether you plan on creating an indoor or outdoor cultivation it is important to keep in mind the costs associated with each step and the timeline of growth and profitability. • Geography: With an indoor cultivation your location is important in terms of distance to services and utilities, easily accessible and zoned properly, where an outdoor grow is more susceptible to local weather conditions and a necessity of natural sunlight. “Indoor grow operations allow us to better manage any issues that are out of control like inclement weather, which we see in Massachusetts, and any invasive contaminants.

Growing indoors in Massachusetts allows us to create a balanced, premium product for consumers” as quoted by Dave Bodurtha (Director of Sales) and the Green Thumb team. And according to Pete Steimer from The Pass, when it comes to growing in an outdoor facility it “does have its challenges in terms of pests, diseases, and cold snaps but being in the fields scouting on a daily basis is essential for a successful outdoor crop.” • Yields: An outdoor cultivation will usually have a larger yield per harvest as the plants have more room to grow and naturally become larger, where an indoor grow will usually have greater controls on their products and can create truly unique flowers. • Harvest: “With both the indoor and greenhouse cultivation you can grow the plants to their full maturity and harvest on a planned schedule.” (As quoted by Pete Steimer from The Pass). Growing indoor can usually lead to faster harvest and turnover times because you will have many rooms that you are constantly cycling through different phases of the plants life where an outdoor operation will have harvest based on the greenhouse. Because the plants in an outdoor are on the suns schedule, they will usually take a bit longer to grow and harvest but the yield will be larger. According to

Joe Centracchio, “on average some may take as few as 16 weeks, and up to 20+ weeks for some cultivars (indoors). The most important piece of equipment when running an indoor cultivation operation isn’t specific equipment, but our Green Thumb team.” • Color and Density: When plants are grown within an indoor facility the key differences are color, taste, and density. An indoor flower will usually be a brighter color with a higher density based on the size of the bud, where an outdoor flower will usually have natural colors and not as dense because the flower bud grows larger.

Ending Comments Whether you have been in the cannabis industry your whole life, growing cannabis in your back yard in Mendo County, or you are just entering the cannabis cultivation industry, there is always something new to learn and explore. Thanks to continuous efforts by advocacy groups, grass root petitions, or universities starting research programs, every step towards understanding and normalizing the cannabis industry is a tremendous leap forward compared to where we were last year and whether you love it, hate it, or still are undecided, one thing is clear, the cannabis industry is only growing!