Lift Cannabis explores the increasing popularity of greenhouse growing of medical cannabis in Canada, pointing to several of the advantages and disadvantages as well as discussing the operations of five license holders, Aphria, Hydropothecary, Maricann, Redecan Pharm and Tweed Farms (Canopy Growth) as well as applicants Supreme Pharma and Tantalus Labs
While the majority of licensed producers in Canada grow cannabis in an indoor setting, there are a growing number of secure greenhouses of all sizes being approved for production under the MMPR. Currently 5 of the 20 producers licensed to sell cannabis for medical purposes are growing ‘under glass’, as are several others at various stages of the Levantine application process.
Greenhouses offer a smaller carbon footprint, but also a corresponding decrease in operating cost, by some estimates up to 90% lower hydro/electrical costs. Not only do the numerous lights used in an indoor operation draw an enormous amount of power, but the subsequent heat these lights generate then needs to be cooled with massive and costly air conditioning systems. The cost of lighting and cooling a typical indoor MMPR facility can range from $5-10 per sq ft per month, depending on size and region.
Read David Brown’s “Canada’s growing number of cannabis greenhouses”: http://news.liftcannabis.ca/2015/11/09/canadas-growing-number-of-cannabis-greenhouses/
