On May 11, the second draft regulations for recreational cannabis licensure were published. While this is excellent news and finally provides a deadline for applications (Labor Day announcement forthcoming), much of the environmental and sustainability requirements were lessened for applicants. While these changes don’t alter our plans they do change the future of cannabis cultivation in our wonderful state.

After all, cannabis is an agricultural product which can be grown easily in sun and soil. We have always believed that cannabis is best when grown with the sun and without pesticides in living soil. Our operation hopes not only to be sustainable in how we grow, within greenhouses and in the earth, but also in how we process and package. We plan to limit our plastics significantly from the agricultural side and we hope to fully remove plastic options from our future branded packaging. We aim to utilize biodegradable products (hopefully made from hemp) instead of plastics.

When processing for edible products, we plan to use solvent-less extraction greatly reducing the chemical waste from this process. In addition our greenhouses will be heated and cooled by geothermal energy harnessed from our own property. Our solar array will also help to offset the environmental costs of lighting, temperature control, and administrative energy usage for all our buildings.

What drew us to the NY cannabis industry in the first place was a drive to prove that cannabis can be grown sustainably, and not just in places like sunny California, but in many climates, in many states. Cannabis is a versatile plant that can help transform agriculture all over our region and beyond. This transformation, in our view, should support those who grow with care and intention. What we consume matters and supporting our local economies is more important than ever.

We know that many other cannabis farmers and growers in NY are already following biodynamic, regenerative, and sustainable practices that make a huge difference in the final product. We hope our regenerative and sustainable operation will be a showpiece for future operations to prove that growing food, cannabis, and supporting our local community can go hand in hand with running a profitable business.