Today on the Utah in the Weeds Podcast Tim and Chris talk with a local Utah hemp grower and gain some new insights into the medical marijuana market in Utah.
Connect with us at UtahMarijuana.org (Tim) and IAmSaltLake.com (Chris).
Mike answers the question, “Can I grow hemp in my backyard?” [0:01:50]
Mike shares that you must get a permit to grow any type of cannabis plant. You should also keep in mind that it’s not easy to grow on a large scale. The temperature and humidity need to be accurate. Mike says his greenhouse has around 30 windows that house almost 8,000-8,400 plants. These windows help in the optimal growth of the plants, mainly during the harvesting period.
Why do most people prefer smoking cannabis to eating it? [0:05:02]
Mike discusses how ingesting cannabis involves processing the cannabinoids through your liver, this usually takes about 30 minutes or even longer for the effects of the medicine to kick in. But when smoked, the lungs usually help absorb the cannabinoids instantaneously into the bloodstream, giving immediate results. This is the main reason why most people prefer smoking rather than consuming it. The same thing goes for CBD and CBG. Smoking the flower even has some benefits without many issues. However, currently selling the smokable flower is not allowed despite having a THC level well under state regulations.
Why grow CBD & CBG and that too at scale? [0:14:03]
Mike says he sees the medicinal value of CBD & CBG and the potential of how the flower product can be grown and harvested at scale for its immense medical benefit. He says the process of growing hemp or cannabis in greenhouses, the way he does, is a cumbersome process. Each plant must be looked after and cared for meticulously, but in the end it’s worth it.
According to Mike, why do some people prefer CBD while others prefer cannabis? [0:17:00]
Mike knows some people prefer rolling one or two joints of cannabis after struggling through a tough day. However, others (such as people who are going to work or running errands) want the medicinal benefits without the psychoactive effects. This latter group often questions the reason for smoking hemp flowers when they receive no recreational value from it.
Where can you learn the art of growing hemp? [0:20:13]
Mike shares that a “Cannabis University” of sorts does exist. Oaksterdam University has in-person and online learning where people can learn the art of growing hemp. There are also various grow schools in the country where people can quickly learn to grow hemp.
What does Mike see as the possible downsides of growing hemp on a large scale? [0:27:21]
Mike says there are obvious downsides of growing cannabis on large scales; for instance, if you do not pay enough attention, your entire crop could get infected by spider mites, caterpillars, aphids; eating up to as much as two-thirds of your crop. Spider mites or caterpillars are particularly common problems. Also, if the irrigation wasn’t done just right, the yield stands to be ruined completely. One needs to keep at mind that problems which may be more than manageable at a smaller scale, are greatly multiplied as your scale increases.
Can you make decent money growing legal hemp? [0:31:05]
Mike says there is a great opportunity to profit from growing hemp in a legal way (depending on what the state allows you to grow and sell). He also adds that in his experience anyone who may choose to go the other way by growing illegally, thinking that may be able to make more profits down the path, are being terribly short-sighted and the costs of doing so will always be lower than the benefits received. He absolutely recommends growing legally and sees huge potential in doing so. Mike recognizes the clear monetary value of growing and selling legally.
When will the edu-series “Discover Marijuana” release? [0:45:16]
“Discover Marijuana” is an educational series in collaboration with Zion Medicinal. The series will be released on November 21st, 2020 on YouTube (out now!). The videos from the series will be focused on the “science meets the medicine” aspect of the marijuana plant and will be educational in nature, with Tim Pickett and Blake Smith (Chief Science Officer, Zion Medicinal). The series will look to cover some of the more frequently asked questions around the plant and its medicinal aspects.
Time Stamps:
00:00- Intro
01:50- Mike answers the question, “Can I grow hemp in my backyard?”
05:22- Why do most people prefer smoking cannabis to eating it?
14:03- Why grow CBD & CBG?
17:00- According to Mike, why do some people prefer CBD while others prefer cannabis?
20:13- Where could you learn the art of growing hemp?
27:21- What does Mike see as the possible downsides of growing hemp on a large scale?
31:05- Can you make decent money growing legal hemp?
45:16- When will the edu-series ‘discover marijuana’ release?
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