Cultivation facility design business is highly dependent on legal consideration. While legalizing cannabis may continue to be a controversial topic in some areas of the United States, there can be no doubt that business is booming.
Legal Considerations
In 2018, Business Insider called the burgeoning cannabis industry, “the fastest-growing job sector in the US”. In fact, there are currently only 12 states that have not legalized cannabis in some form. Of the states who have legalized, 18 allow recreational use, and more are reviewing upcoming legislation within the next two to four years.
In states where legalization has occurred, entrepreneurs are looking to jump into the cultivation market and are having to make quick decisions on creating facilities that suit their needs and that meet the requirements of state regulations. If you are looking to enter the cannabis cultivation industry, there are some early considerations in designing the facility that will help you maintain a sustainable and healthy business.
Cultivation Facility Design Considerations
Location
Besides the obvious necessities of proximity to water, power, and wastewater outlets, you may want to consider several parameters. They include locations where it is cheapest to heat and/or cool your facility, how close the facility will be to suppliers and your market, and if there is a qualified labor force nearby.
Space design
Before you begin building your facility, it’s a good idea to consider possible future expansions. Therefore, you should plan your space with those in mind; otherwise, you may be left with costly teardowns and redesigns that stall business. Experienced cultivators recommend a structure within a structured design. This design should offer greater protection against pests and an extra layer of security for your business. Other expert recommendations include providing ample overhead space for extra storage and for flower development, utilizing good materials such as cold-formed steel and greenhouse cover that allow full UV light penetration. Finally, you should use thick concrete floors that keep pests out.
Internal design
Much of your internal design should be based on pest and disease security. You will want an employee decontamination area where workers can change out of street clothes. Also, where they can decontaminate feet before entering the work areas. If you can afford multiple rooms, which is a good idea to isolate disease spread, you should do it. You should seal each room separately and incorporate a positive air pressure system. Other important factors include environmental controls for temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels; ample lighting, watering systems, and drying space. You also need robotic logging systems so that you can keep track of ideal growing conditions. Another important issue is the implementation of air filtration and sterilization systems to help prevent disease infiltration.
Thoughtful cultivation facility design will save you money in the long run and will protect your crops from disease. As David Holmes, founder of Clade in Los Angeles, says, “Invest upfront in clean-room technology because state regulations will likely become more strict in terms of lab testing your material”. With such preventative thinking in mind, you’re bound to get your business off to a good start.
In case you need any consultation on our cultivation facility design, feel free to contact us to receive our guidance and assistance.
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Author’s Bio:
Ivan Young is a writer from Happy Writers, Co. in partnership with all-purpose fencing manufacturer, Viking Fence.
