\t\t<\/p>\n
What does sustainability mean to you? <\/p>\n
For Cannabis & Tech Today<\/em>, it means fostering an industry that will thrive while preserving the natural resources necessary for continued growth. <\/p>\nFor 2020\u2019s Sustainable Leadership Awards, we chose three applicants setting the standard for sustainable energy consumption, packaging, and stewardship. <\/p>\n
Graham Farrar, president and chief cannabis officer for Glass House Group, discusses why environmental stewardship is central to his company\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n
Brain Domann, sales and marketing director for Humidi shares solutions to the industry\u2019s packaging problem. <\/p>\n
And Derek Gould, director of marketing and communications for Solar Therapeutics invites you to join him in creating a more eco-friendly future. <\/p>\n
In this special feature, we\u2019ll shine a spotlight on how they\u2019re leading the charge, what\u2019s most important to them, and how all companies, big or small, can work toward more sustainable operations.<\/p>\n
Glass House Group President and Chief Cannabis Officer: Graham Farrar<\/strong><\/h3>\nCannabis & Tech Today<\/em>: What is Glass House Group\u2019s approach to sustainability?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
Graham Farrar. Photo courtesy of Glass House Group. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nGraham Farrar: We try to really advocate for this low-touch agricultural approach we practice. <\/p>\n
Cannabis in agriculture is a bit of an outlier, in that it\u2019s a highly-regulated business with a lot of friction, a lot of costs, but you\u2019re not in the single-digit margin percentage like a lot of ag is \u2014 where they\u2019re really struggling to stay alive \u2014 which allows us to do things like invest in using beneficial insects instead of pesticides.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a positive circle that starts with that, which is, if we spend twenty grand a month with the beneficial insect\u2019s guys, and then some other companies do, and then the [insect company] can scale up. <\/p>\n
As they get bigger, the price comes down, and then maybe now it\u2019s available to the tomato guys because they can afford it now \u2014 and then the tomato [industry] is 1000 times bigger than cannabis. <\/p>\n
So if that industry can take even just a little bit, the size of it makes it that much bigger, and then the insect\u2019s price comes down and then more people can get access to it. <\/p>\n
So you can start this virtuous cycle. I think cannabis can help blaze that path for the rest of agriculture, which will end up making a lot more difference than we do.<\/p>\n
Humidi Sales and Marketing Director: Brian Domann<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Brian Domann. Photo courtesy of Humidi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nC&T Today: <\/em>How is Humidi helping tackle some of the industry\u2019s environmental issues?<\/strong><\/h4>\nBrian Domann: What we really sought for and our ultimate goal has always been, how can we have a net positive impact on the environment? <\/p>\n
And while we initially wanted to incorporate hemp into our packaging, we also really needed to have a strong product that would be durable and have the shelf life of a traditional product and provide that same protection, integrity for the cannabis, or any of the products that are stored in our packaging. <\/p>\n
And that\u2019s why, ultimately, we went with canola-based bio plant materials.<\/p>\n
It is the only product on the market that can be fully compostable in a home compost heap. <\/p>\n
There are no microplastics leftover and the product will act as a food source for bacteria that are naturally occurring in the soil.<\/p>\n
C&T Today<\/em>: How do you envision the future of cannabis packaging?<\/strong><\/h4>\nBD: I\u2019d love to envision the future being a net-zero impact on environmental production, which it\u2019s always hard to get there. <\/p>\n
But I think if the cannabis market can lead the charge against plastic pollution and show what\u2019s possible and what can be done for some of these mass packaging markets or consumer packaged goods in general.<\/p>\n
There are sustainable products out there that are not truly as sustainable as folks think. <\/p>\n
And the one biggest thing that we\u2019re really trying to articulate, from an education standpoint to an end consumer or a distributor, is that this is the first product that has 0% plastic. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s not a trace of plastic in these products.<\/p>\n
Solar Therapeutics Director of Marketing and Communications Derek Gould\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nC&T Today<\/em>: How does Solar Therapeutics incorporate sustainable practices into its ethos?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
Solar Therapeutics CEO Edward Dow. Photo courtesy of Solar Therapeutics. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nDerek Gould: The way we\u2019ve incorporated and implemented green infrastructure into our entire facility and its operations is huge. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re a full-blown power plant. We\u2019re generating about 5.4 megawatts. One megawatt can power about a thousand small homes.<\/p>\n
Our vision and mission is to replicate what we have here in Massachusetts and demonstrate that in other States. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s a very arduous process to source these sustainability components, especially when you\u2019re talking about the size of the facility that we\u2019re working in.<\/p>\n
But, I think being a responsible corporate citizen is crucial. <\/p>\n
When you are looking at the statistics, indoor cannabis cultivation is trending towards being the second most unsustainable industry in the country \u2014 and that\u2019s behind data storage centers. <\/p>\n
I think, to take a conscious approach, to make changes even though it costs more upfront, to start implementing those things and demonstrate how to be a leader in the space \u2014 and it\u2019s not too late, it\u2019s actually very early and we can make this happen \u2014 is major for us.<\/p>\n
We really want to plant our flag and be the first multi-state operator that\u2019s touting these carbon emissions percentages that are above and beyond.<\/p>\n
If we could be at 90% emissions-free, that would be huge; 50 to 60% is where we\u2019re operating right now. <\/p>\n
I think it\u2019s key, if this industry is to continue to operate and be responsible, you really have to start pivoting and implementing these sustainable approaches.<\/p>\n
C&T Today<\/em>: What advice would you offer operators looking to become more sustainable?<\/strong><\/h4>\nDG: You don\u2019t have to go all-in on sustainability right off the bat. <\/p>\n
There\u2019re a lot of low-hanging fruit and very easily implemented, inexpensive ways, and procedures that can make your facility at least start to be a little bit more sustainable. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s imperative we start really considering this approach to cultivating cannabis. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re going to start seeing more states crack down on thresholds for sustainable practices for indoor cultivators because, again, it\u2019s such an energy hog. <\/p>\n
So, I think to have that foresight and understanding, that this is where we\u2019re headed in this industry and for us to be a stalwart of this movement, is paramount for us.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannatechtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/graham-DSC07032-1024x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannatechtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/candtpicture-768x1024.jpg\"\/)
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannatechtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/candtpicture-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannatechtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Edward-Dow_Solar_CEO-scaled-683x1024.jpg\"\/)
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cannatechtoday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Edward-Dow_Solar_CEO-scaled-683x1024.jpg\")