This really depends on two primary factors. First, you’ll want to consider your regional and federal regulations. Some countries have strict legislation in place that dictates how finished product is cultivated. Second, if regulations allow, then you’ll want to consider the quality of your starting material. It is important to know the source of the original mother plant in order to uphold the integrity of your own cannabis production.
I always advise clients to consider this once you have an established operation. If you are a start-up, you’re at the mercy of time as this can often take between 18-24 months to produce.
In contrast to the 18-24 months to breed your own strains, a normal production cycle from seed or clone to harvest can be approximately 4 months. This is ideal for start-ups as it allows for a quicker entry to market.
Cannabis cultivation can absolutely happen outdoors; however, you’ll want to consider a few key variables. First, know your climate. Although cannabis is highly adaptable to varying conditions, it is susceptible to extreme weather and does require several hours of direct sunlight per day. Second, understand your soil composition. Specifically, cannabis plants need slightly acidic soil that is rich with organic matter to thrive.
Aside from any type of geography restrictions (ie. sunlight requirements), this may ultimately come down to personal preference. There are both pros and cons to each that can make a compelling case; however, my post about growing outdoors helps illuminate the benefits of outdoor cultivation.
This really depends on your production goals and initial investment. For a rough snap-shot, you can crunch the numbers on my handy Cultivation Calculator.
The cost for an indoor facility is roughly $200 per square foot and the cost for a greenhouse facility is roughly $80 per square foot. Please keep in mind that these estimates will vary depending on your location.
Approximately 250 amps for every 1,000 square feet.
Approximately 150 gallons per day for every 1,000 square feet.
As I note in my post about hiring the right team, finding the proper Master Grower is vital to the success of your cultivation operation. You should expect to pay between $70-90K for entry-level credentials, $120-150K for proficient credentials and $250-300K for expert credentials per year ($USD).
Unfortunately not. But, I will draw upon my 18 years in horticulture and intimate experience in cannabis cultivation to help source the right person for you.