Cannabis Westcoast Bud has long been grown outdoor as an outdoor crop, but when legalization first came around governments were concerned that feral marijuana might be harvested by criminals to fund world wars and used by them as an aid source. They enlisted church groups, 4-H clubs and 12-man sheriff posses to eradicate plants each autumn (True Republican 1938).

Small cannabis  cultivators are currently exploring how they might create an "appellation" system similar to what exists within the wine industry, in order to guarantee that only top quality product is made available for consumption.

The Future of the Industry

Cannabis has become an increasingly popular recreational drug worldwide, often consumed as dried infructescences or buds, resin (hashish) or extracts such as oils and tinctures. Users take cannabis for its relaxing, euphoric, pain relief and creative benefits.

Consumers are becoming more selective in their cannabis experiences. Beyond THC levels and terpene profiles, they want to know about the growers and brands who support them.

Craft cultivators typically prioritize sustainability by employing organic and eco-friendly cultivation practices that minimize environmental impact while producing pesticide-free cannabis. Craft cultivators may work with various strains that preserve genetic diversity for an array of flavours and effects to choose from, while their hands-on approach enables them to gain an intimate knowledge of each plant, leading to higher-quality products with vibrant colours and an alluring coating of trichomes that draw customers towards artisanal cannabis cultivation.

Sustainability

The cannabis industry faces several sustainability issues, such as straining electricity grids, air quality concerns and product waste. Cannabis cultivators use significant energy for lighting and ventilation of indoor facilities; some even employ high-pressure sodium bulbs that create excessive heat; using LED lights may reduce energy usage and save money on electric bills.

Many chemicals used in cannabis cultivation can pollute the environment, including chemical nitrogen fertilizer which releases ammonia into the air upon cropland application and leads to soil acidification and water eutrophication (Galloway et al. 2003).

Foley's group is working to shift cannabis growers toward sustainable practices by working with standard-setting organizations and promoting software solutions that make monitoring energy usage and other environmental impacts simpler. They're also seeking financial incentives that encourage cannabis businesses to adopt greener methods; conventional capital-raising channels may not be readily accessible within this industry and it can be challenging for operators to invest in greening operations.

Regulations

Consumers have shown a consistent preference for cannabis products that are both locally-sourced and distinctive, leading to the creation of various non-inhalation product categories.

Craft cultivators rely on human touch, using manual techniques like hand-trimming and small batch processing to achieve quality that larger operations cannot match. Their focus on detail results in top-shelf cannabis with delicious terpene profiles that cannot be beat.

These artisanal growers also often specialize in rare or heirloom strains, providing consumers an opportunity to discover something different in the market. Furthermore, these artisanal growers tend to thrive within tight-knit communities by participating in local markets or farmers' markets as well as building relationships with customers - an experience which cannot be found with some larger marijuana companies.

Localization

Contrasting with mainstream industries where corporate investors dominate many operations, artisan growers put an emphasis on community and sustainability. They prioritize local markets and farmers' markets and form close relationships with their customers.

An intimate connection with cannabis plants allows growers to identify desirable phenotypes and create original strain offerings unavailable on the market, as well as improve product quality while providing more information to consumers.

Craft cultivation uses advanced growing techniques and small-batch farming practices, resulting in superior-smelling and tasting cannabis that remains true to its strain origins.

As many artisanal producers utilize local ingredients to elevate their products and craft unique cannabis experiences, many artisanal producers also work to incorporate local elements into their offerings. Pairing sweet indica strains such as Blackberry Kush with coffee roast from a nearby brewery adds another dimension of complexity while bold cabernet or hoppy IPA wines pair beautifully with cannabis flavors within them.