Dispensaries find pros and cons in growing their own flowers

Cannabis dispensaries must deal with a lot of moving parts, so reducing the chances for kinks in the seed-to-sale process can provide peace of mind and limit potential for unforeseen complications. Vertical integration of dispensaries and grows can go a long way toward establishing control; however, not all states allow grows and dispensaries to colocate. Costs, security, odor control, and zoning also come into play when considering an on-site grow.

So, what are the advantages…and disadvantages?

Shaya Brodchandel, chief executive officer for Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus, New Jersey, loves the control offered by hosting both cultivation and sales operations at the same location. “Growing our own product allows us to be fully confident in the product we offer consumers,” Brodchandel said.

Locating the grow and the dispensary in the same place also gives patients extra confidence in the products they buy, he added, because patients have access to the people cultivating the medicine. “Any feedback from our customers goes directly to our growers, allowing us to easily alter our products to deliver exactly what consumers want,” Brodchandel said. Issues with flower from an outside source can be difficult, or even impossible, to correct. The same is not true when the store grows its own. “Growing our own product means we avoid potential disappointments from third parties who might not meet our high standard of quality, consistency, quantity, or delivery requirements,” he said.

The ability to provide extensive details about a product from start to finish instills extra confidence in patients, as well. “Today, everyone is becoming increasingly conscious of ‘the source’ of any product they consume,” Brodchandel said.

Not everything is rosy, though, he noted. An on-site grow can increase the potential for theft and vandalism. “I recommend any dispensary with a grow facility on site maintain a close relationship with their local police department and invest in quality staff screening,” Brodchandel advised.