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Exploring the Link Between Cannabis Cultivation and Consumption: The Power of the Phrase “You Are What You Eat”
When it comes to cultivating and consuming cannabis, the age-old saying “you are what you eat” takes on a whole new meaning.
The nutrients and treatments we provide to our cannabis plants, whether through feeding or foliar applications, can ultimately find their way into the hands of consumers. Using the wrong substances in this process not only has the potential to harm consumers but also puts growers and dispensaries at risk of legal complications. With regulatory bodies in various states scrutinizing plants and harvested products for any traces of chemicals or foreign residues, the need for a cautious approach is more critical than ever. This environment has created a delicate balance for commercial growers who strive to achieve high-quality yields and profitability while ensuring their plants remain free from pests and unwanted substances.
In the realm of large-scale commercial operations, embracing organic cultivation practices has emerged as a viable solution. This strategy not only allows growers to avoid regulatory concerns but also places their products at a slightly elevated price level due to the perceived worth of organic items.
As stated by Jeff Lowenfels, an organic cultivator and the author of the acclaimed book “Teaming with Microbes,” the desire for organic goods reflects the choices of knowledgeable consumers who prioritize what they breathe in. Simultaneously, regulatory agencies are moving towards enforcing stringent standards for minimal chemical residues. This shift in consumer demand and regulatory focus is making organic cultivation a strategic choice for those seeking success in the cannabis industry while ensuring product quality and safety.
Achieving Profitability through Organic Cannabis Cultivation
Can large-scale commercial growers really achieve profitability by adopting organic cultivation methods? There are those who firmly believe that, with the right approach, it is entirely feasible.
“I work with commercial growers all across the country who are organic, so I know it can be done,” Lowenfels says. “I tell those who think it’s impossible that they are not only wrong, but they are missing out on securing the high-end status associated with organics.”
“Most people said that it’s impossible, that you’re going to sacrifice quality or not be profitable,” says Rudy Ellenbogen, CEO of organic cannabis consulting group Cannabis on Purpose.
Ellenbogen comes from a background as a civil engineer and entrepreneur. Collaborating with cultivation expert Cassandra Maffey, he embarked on a venture that led to the inception of Verde Natural—an accomplished organic cultivation facility situated within a spacious 25,000-square-foot warehouse in Colorado. With the unwavering dedication of its staff, Verde Natural serves as a living testament to the practicality of organic techniques, showcasing their ability to yield profitability on a significant commercial level.
Nourishing the Soil Instead of the Cannabis Plant: A Key Approach
Every cannabis grower has a unique approach to cultivation, and organic growers are no exception. While each may have its secret techniques, there are fundamental principles of organic growing that hold no mystery.
At the heart of it all lies a foundational grasp of the soil food web. The key to nurturing robust, resin-rich buds and fragrant terpenes is rooted in the intricate dance between our plants and the microscopic life within the soil. These microorganisms form a vital partnership encompassing beneficial bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and plant roots. The use of inorganic compounds, including chemical fertilizers and pesticides, can wreak havoc on these delicate ecosystems, rendering the soil unsuitable for earthworms and other essential components of the soil food web.
The practice of organic cultivation not only safeguards these invaluable organisms but also stimulates greater microbial activity within the soil. A fundamental distinction between organic and conventional growing is that while the latter focuses on feeding the plant directly, organic practices prioritize nourishing the soil.
According to Lowenfels, compost stands as the cornerstone of living soil within organic operations. He emphasizes that acquiring the art of composting isn’t a complex endeavor akin to rocket science.
“It’s by no means difficult, nor is procurement any different from obtaining chemical inputs,” Lowenfels says. “It’s important to get a good supplier, or to make your own.”
Ellenbogen’s warehouse growing setup is unique. Instead of the usual peat moss-based soil, they use special Miller soil. They add organic fertilizers made from fish, seaweed, and alfalfa to provide nutrients like calcium and magnesium. They also use liquid organic nutrients every few days during the growth stages of the plants. This approach helps their plants thrive and grow naturally.
“You have to feed the soil, not the plant,” Ellenbogen insists. “You’re telling the plant, ‘Here is the buffet, choose what you want.’ Nature knows best.”
He mentions that following each growth cycle, they “replenish the buffet” by amending the soil, “not because we know what it needs, but because we know it can choose what it wants.”
Mastering Management Skills: The Key to Achieving Success
Having the finest organic growing techniques and skilled cultivators doesn’t automatically ensure a high-quality cannabis crop that commands a premium price. Effective leadership and consistent result assessment are just as crucial for the success of an organic operation as the methods employed, as pointed out by Ellenbogen.
“The management aspect is key,” Ellenbogen says. “If you’re growing organically, you’re watering by hand, and you have several different people doing this.” According to him, with strong leadership that values its workforce, those employees will feel empowered and become enthusiastic about adopting your cultivation approach and routine.
Maintaining detailed records of cultivation practices for every crop and engaging in experimentation by adjusting specific variables and analyzing the outcomes is another crucial factor for achieving success.
“We try to listen to the plant, and can only do that through A-B testing,” Ellenbogen says. He mentions that they conduct regular soil tests and ensure that it’s replenished after each cycle of cultivation.
Filling Up the Cannabis Buffet with Organic Materials
If the goal of organic cultivation is to provide a diverse range of nutrients to the cannabis crop, there are various options available to enrich the table. Advanced Nutrients offers a selection of seven nutrient products approved for Organic Input Material, suitable for all growth stages.
Mother Earth Tea is a tested product designed to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth throughout all development phases. Big Bud Organic, as its name suggests, is an organic nutrient product tailored for the flowering stage. It supplies the necessary phosphorus and potassium for robust bud development, along with plant-derived amino-chelated calcium, magnesium, iron, and energy-boosting citrate.
Another offering on the organic grower’s menu is Advanced Nutrients’ Iguana Juice Grow and Bloom, which actually consists of two separate products: one for the vegetative stage and one for flowering. These products contain the necessary macro-, secondary, and micronutrients to support optimal growth and yield.
Achieving Success Isn’t Guaranteed by Going Organic
Cultivating organically and achieving profitability are distinct matters, and similar to any growing operation, there are numerous factors to take into account.
“In theory, an organically grown crop should fetch a higher price when being sold. The question to consider is if that outweighs the possible costs of growing organically,” says Rory Jonathan, head of Grower Support at Advanced Nutrients. “Some growers can accomplish this, while other growers have inefficient practices that need to be dialed in.” He mentions that this is particularly evident in legal markets, where growers must focus on economies of scale.
When it comes to yield and labor costs, Jonathan notes that it’s a subjective matter and varies based on the grower’s techniques. Growers such as Ellenbogen, who have achieved profitable and potent results with their organically grown cannabis crops, seem to have discovered the formula for success.
Challenging the Industry Giants
For cultivators who can achieve it, cultivating a cannabis crop through entirely organic methods could be a favored business approach, particularly if they wish to avoid competing with larger competitors.
“We’re not in the same market we were 10 years ago,” Ellenbogen says. “We have very large corporations who are efficient at mass marketing their products.” He suggests that the primary strategy to rival larger competitors is to set yourself apart, similar to how organic growers stand out by selling their products at farmers’ markets. “If you try to do what everyone else is doing, you’re going to have a tough go of it.”
Furthermore, there’s no need to tackle this journey solo. Abundant assistance is available to learn about organic growing techniques.
“Find and hire a consultant and follow directions,” Lowenfels suggests. “There are models out there to be followed. There is no reason to reinvent the wheel and make mistakes that have resulted in the notion that growing organically is more expensive or more difficult than growing with chemical assistance.”
In the end, he mentions, farmers have employed this approach since the early days of agriculture.
