Starting your commercial cannabis operation

The cannabis industry continues to grow with a need for more passionate growers eager to fill the demand. While becoming a professional cannabis cultivator is an exciting endeavor, it is also a big one with a lot of considerations.

In addition to licensing requirements in order to get started, there are also a number of questions you need to have answered before beginning construction on your commercial marijuana operation. These include:

• Where is your location?
• What type of structure will you use (greenhouse or warehouse)?
• What is the size of your facility and how many rooms will you have?
• How will your maximize your space?
• Will you have on-site security?
• What methods will you use for heating and cooling?
• Will you need to have an odor control method in place?
• What are your ventilation requirements?
• What are your irrigation requirements?
• What type of lighting will you use?
• Will you require light deprivation curtains for your greenhouse?
• Will you need benches or are you growing your plants on the ground?
• What type of environmental controls will you use?

GGS has helped some of the top growers in North America design and build their dream greenhouses. We can help you answer many questions on the list above. The following is more information on some of these big decisions you will make for your commercial marijuana operation.

Greenhouse structures

Many commercial cannabis growers are choosing to grow their crops in greenhouses over warehouse environments, the obvious benefit being the direct access to sunlight. You can expect lower energy bills in a greenhouse by using the sun as your source of sunlight when favorable. The type of greenhouse you choose depends on your location and climate. Growers in warm climates can successfully grow in hoop houses. For growers in cooler climates, gutter connected greenhouses are the most economical option for largescale growers. Click here to learn more about marijuana greenhouse facilities.

Supplemental greenhouse lighting

Though a greenhouse provides the benefit of natural sunlight, the supplemental lighting in your greenhouse is still a crucial factor in determining how well your plants will perform. Your marijuana grow lights up a large portion of your energy costs so it’s important to weigh your upfront costs against the return on investment. The two most common options for supplemental lighting are HPS lights and LED lights. GGS is partnered with a range of industry leading light suppliers with various products available and we can help you with choosing the right supplemental lighting for your facility. Read more about choosing supplemental greenhouse lighting. Don’t forget that your plants will need periods of total darkness which will require you to install light deprivation curtains.

Automated controls

In order to create and maintain a consistent environment for your crops in your commercial marijuana greenhouse, you will want to invest in an automated control system. An automated control system can be fully integrated into all parts of your greenhouse including lighting, heating, irrigation, light deprivation curtains etc., to keep your environment attuned to the needs of your crop without having to make constant adjustments. Automated control systems are available to growers with any budget and can be customized based on preferences. Read more about getting the most out of your automated control system.

Choosing your benches

When deciding how to bench your cannabis plants, it’s important to consider how to maximize the space in the greenhouse. GGS rolling benches are a popular option among commercial growers by their ability to improve crop efficiency. By removing the need for a dedicated aisle between plants, rolling benches can provide up to 50 percent more growing space compared to stationary benches. GGS also manufactures multi-tiered benches that will help to capture the vertical space for commercial cannabis indoor facilities.

If you’re ready to get started on your cannabis project, get in touch with the GGS Marijuana Cultivation Experts today.