Maximum Yield Cannabis USA April/May 2018 | Page 49

Looking at the increasingly industrialized cannabis industry in 2018 , one must wonder how exactly craft cannabis producers will survive in increasingly competitive markets . To illustrate , massive business conglomerates , such as Canada ’ s Canopy Growth Corporation and America ’ s MedMen Enterprises , cast an ominous shadow of doubt across a cannabis industry originally founded on artisanal craft . To put this into perspective , Canopy Growth is currently valued at about $ 5 billion , while MedMen has been raising hundreds of millions of dollars in the private sector . While this sort of market growth is undoubtedly exciting for marijuana investors and advocates alike , it raises several questions as to viability and sustainability of craft cannabis production . Along this line of thought , many fear small-scale growers will have to sacrifice the quality of their product — which many liken to sacrificing an artform — to stay financially competitive with corporate interests in marijuana . States like California and Colorado are already seeing a paradigm shift in cannabis production as cultivation businesses streamline operations to compete in a legal capitalist marijuana economy . Unfortunately , as profit margins become slimmer for these businesses , craft cultivation practices are often the first to go . These practices include the use of organic soils and fertilizers , proper curing techniques , and the preservation of low-yielding , high-quality genetic lines . There is hope , however . Look at the beer industry , where many craft breweries have been purchased by corporate giants but left alone to continue operating as they were . For craft businesses , being bought out by giants can be an advantage as mega corporations can provide resources to navigate the administration-heavy world of restricted consumables and advocate for more favorable legislation .
Wine and Cannabis
As the cannabis industry continues to evolve , marijuana entrepreneurs are looking to similar industries for guidance in navigating the marketplace . For many , the wine industry ’ s business model serves as an excellent example of how the marijuana market will finally settle and mature . The wine industry has both its industrial producers and its craft brands , and each of these market segments are supported by their own unique market demographics . Dedicated wine enthusiasts continue to support the efforts of artisanal viticulturalists , paying high prices for wines that are wholly unique to certain climates , regions , and cultivation practices .
“ Looking at the increasingly industrialized cannabis industry in 2018 , one must wonder how exactly craft cannabis producers will survive in increasingly competitive markets .”
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