Growing, distributing and selling legally...How and Where?

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royfree2grow

royfree2grow

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Right now in Israel, we're celebrating the Jewish people "holiday of liberty" aka Pesach (or Passover), but the people in Zion are far from being liberated... The plant is still illegal for recreational usage and as the local monopolistic market is orchestrated even registered patients are deprived of their medicine...

all Jews set down to the "Seder" two days ago to celebrate the liberation of our people from the Egyptian tyranny and the horrific slavery, but truth is not much has changed, we are still told what we can smoke, grow, sell or buy... we work our ass off and earn the the lowest salary in the western world, everything is taxed to the roof- we pay 10$ for a gallon of fuel, we pay 400k USD for the crappiest 3 bedroom apartment in the suburbs and about a million usd for that same apartment if located in the big cities like Tel Aviv... and of course no one can grow and sale cannabis besides the richest business men, ex politicians and police chiefs... We are not the home of the free but still a nation of slaves under a pseudo capitalistic market which in fact resembles more to socialism than to a real free market.

I just want to grow my product and sell it without being threatened by jail or risking the authorities will take my kids away got forbid.. the plant is already a part of me and everything i do seems like i'm wasting my time if im not growing... so lately i've been thinking of going away for some time to be able to grow... just the thought of leaving Israel, my parents sisters and brothers makes my heart ache but i'm thinking about it more and more seriously.

I think CO is the place to go for minimal governmental requirements regarding cannabis cultivation but if I do decide to go, I'll go to wherever the plant is free...

So where do you guys think is the best place to start growing legally? and what is the capital and time required for permits to grow and sell? I know my questions are vague, just trying to get a general idea here...
 
Smoking Gun

Smoking Gun

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Honestly, I would personally be looking at the northesat of the USA, Massachusetts and Maine in particular. The west, California, Washington, Colorado and especially Oregon are all over crowded, producing more than they know what to do with and very expensive to get into the market. Massachusetts and Maine have no real systems in place for distribution and this could give you the opportunity you are looking for. You would be more likely to be able to get in on the ground floor and build something up a bit more slowly. But I would still suggest you have some big bucks to make it happen. I have seen it many times where very good growers who are making a few bucks growing on small scale try to move to a "friendly" area and simply not make it because the market is over-saturated. So keep that in mind too if you really are planning on making such a drastic change in your life.

It may sound silly but Uruguay may also be an option for you. It was the fist country to fully legalize. From what I understand it still takes a government license and tracking of all your product from start to finish, but it also seems like the place where a someone from a more affluent country may be able to afford the start-up costs. Just something to think about.

All in all do a lot of research before you make any big moves. As legalization comes it also is creating an environment where only big money will be able to get into the market. And without being able to secure loans from banks you would be relying heavily on out of pocket money and investors to back you.
 
Jimster

Jimster

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Anywhere you go, you will run into some of the same problems. In the Northeast, Medical MJ sells for $20/gm, or &70 per 1/8th...it is highway robbery! The other side of the country is giving pot away, and selling ounces for $70...so it isn't all milk and honey despite the stories.Canada has taken a very large step by legalizing it on a national basis, like Uruguay. Prices in Canada aren't too much different than in the USA unless you live in major metro areas, IE Toronto and Vancouver.
Growing and selling are viewed much differently by the Law. While the police are somewhat resigned to pot becoming more and more acceptable, the sale of it is a juicy tidbit that the Law loves to pounce upon. While smoking is considered "everyday", the sale is usually seen as a major income for gangs and cartels, so they put 2X the scrutiny on sales as the used to...especially if you are a minority/Black. Watching the cop shows on Friday and Saturday nights will show just how much more reform is needed, especially if you are in the deep south.
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

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The most reasonable option i'm exploring right now is CO, I have a friend that lives there and could help me with the legal issues. Im still looking for other options like Massachusetts and Maine, but honestly, i dont have any contacts there and its hard to get real information on the ptacticallity of a move like this.

Although, as you guys mentioned, the market there is really hard for small growers. My friend told me that an ounce of top grade bud can sell for as low as 40$... thats harsh. that means that wholesale prices are probably as low as 400-500$ a pound, and please correct me if my estimation is off.

I do have some startup capital, and I have many people who believe in me here in israel, so unless we are talking about crazy amounts, money is not the biggest issue for me. and that leads me to the question for you guys:

What are the legal requiremtns to grow/distribute/sell in CO? Dont i have to be a citizen? Do i just rent a property and start growing? How do Ido this by the book?
 
Smoking Gun

Smoking Gun

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Roy, to get up and running in a place like Colorado is going to take some big bucks, from the sounds of it more than you have. These guys are putting millions into these facilities; depending on where you are an application fee for liscensing, not the actual liscence, can cost 10's of thousands of dollars. You are not going to set up a small grow in your home and have it make you any money. A grow in your home probably wouldn't pass any inspection or health codes to keep you legal. You would need a decent sized facility. If you have a connection in CO then contact them and see if they could get you a job in an already existing legal grow. If you are looking to start your own operation a much smaller market like Mass is going to be your best bet, the regulations have not been put in place like they are in more established places like Colorado, California or Washington. Oregon may be a bit easier to get into the market if you are determined to be out west, but I can tell you prices there are quite low.

Most of this info is easily obtainable from government websites. Go do some proper research on the places you are looking to get set up. I would even consider booking some time to make trips to where you think you want to start up to see what the environment is like.
 
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Godfthrfarm

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The most reasonable option i'm exploring right now is CO, I have a friend that lives there and could help me with the legal issues. Im still looking for other options like Massachusetts and Maine, but honestly, i dont have any contacts there and its hard to get real information on the ptacticallity of a move like this.

Although, as you guys mentioned, the market there is really hard for small growers. My friend told me that an ounce of top grade bud can sell for as low as 40$... thats harsh. that means that wholesale prices are probably as low as 400-500$ a pound, and please correct me if my estimation is off.

I do have some startup capital, and I have many people who believe in me here in israel, so unless we are talking about crazy amounts, money is not the biggest issue for me. and that leads me to the question for you guys:

What are the legal requiremtns to grow/distribute/sell in CO? Dont i have to be a citizen? Do i just rent a property and start growing? How do Ido this by the book?
Hello my name is Michelle and I own [email protected] and I live in mendocino county California the emerald triangle of weed and it is still very good on the start up costs I just bought 10 acres for 50,000 us dollars..but while shopping for land i could buy 1-5 acres from as low as 4,000. But depending on how far in mountain you wanna be...but the license will cost the most for farm agriculture lic it will run you 15,000 and your costs for your farm are only a couple thousand start up and in cali there is still a great profit to be made on the dispensary side and pounds of outdoor r selling for 1400 to 1800 indoor as much as 2000 to 2600 so cali northern cali...and if you head this way I'd gladly teach you I'm a female grower and I no my sh.. blessing be upon you my friend
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

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@Smoking Gun thanks for the solid advice, I know i have to do some deeper research and I most definatly will. I do want a small operation, I know there are many major facilities in CO that are on another level regarding manufacturing costs and implementing good agriculture practices but i didn't know the legal requirements are so strict. Nope I dont have that kind of money. So there are no small "Boutique Grows" in CO thha are making money?


@Godfthrfarm thank you, you're very kind. I initialy thought of Cali, but some good people changed my mind when they said its a closed community that dont like outsiders.

So, in order to run a small operation in Cali, I need to own the land? or can I lease it? What else in terms of legal requirements? is this possible (what are the costs) for someone who isn't a citizen?

And if you're serious, I'll might take you up on that offer.
 
basscaptain

basscaptain

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stay out of ca..... I know what Godfthrfram said... But I just moved from ca.... and the truth is you need $$$$$ to do it right ...... unless you have 500,000.00- milloin to roll your going to have problems...... 1st off your a outsider.................................................................................................................................... and the people in ca are azz holes and $$$ talks BS Walks................. In sol ca IE, the going price is 20.00 a gram, store owners pay around 800.00-1500.00 a lb................. on weds and fri you can go to the bub sweep meet and pay the same price as the owners........ EVERYONE is GROWING your going to just fad away............................ just my 2 cents........... ( need about 200,000.00 just to get a lic if you can even get one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by the time you pay off everyone with there hand in your wallet)
 
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the rrock

the rrock

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Unless your growing for personal needs Cali is not the place to go,just in my county alone,there are 6 large commercial grow companies, with over 200 employees each.EVERYTHING sold in CA has to be tested qlso before being sold. Ive grown commercially since 1989 ,made good money but now with the new laws its not financially stable anymore. So now its just a hobby.
 
Smoking Gun

Smoking Gun

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@Smoking Gun thanks for the solid advice, I know i have to do some deeper research and I most definatly will. I do want a small operation, I know there are many major facilities in CO that are on another level regarding manufacturing costs and implementing good agriculture practices but i didn't know the legal requirements are so strict. Nope I dont have that kind of money. So there are no small "Boutique Grows" in CO thha are making money?

I am sure there are some people who are doing boutique grows and making money, but I am sure those people are few and far between. As things are the market doesn’t really have a place for smaller higher end grows. It’s all about putting out cheap product in quantity; it’s what keeps,people paid and a roof over the grow. Even for the boutique folks the start up is not a drop in the bucket. I would say even for a small grow in Colorado, Cali or Washington you should have $500,000 to play with. There will be lots of unexpected costs, particularly as regulations in all places come through.

I am very curious, why are you so intent on coming to the USA. It seems as though Israel is far more friendly towards Cannabis that he US is.
 
G

Godfthrfarm

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@Smoking Gun thanks for the solid advice, I know i have to do some deeper research and I most definatly will. I do want a small operation, I know there are many major facilities in CO that are on another level regarding manufacturing costs and implementing good agriculture practices but i didn't know the legal requirements are so strict. Nope I dont ūhave that kind of money. So there are no small "Boutique Grows" in CO thha are making money?


@Godfthrfarm thank you, you're very kind. I initialy thought of Cali, but some good people changed my mind when they said its a closed community that dont like outsiders.

So, in order to run a small operation in Cali, I need to own the land? or can I lease it? What else in terms of legal requirements? is this possible (what are the costs) for someone who isn't a citizen?

And if you're serious, I'll might take you up on that offer.
Yes I'm very serious and no you don't have to own your land there are plenty of people who rent land for specifically growers and are all ready set up with grow bags soil drip lines ect...if you live in cali the law says you can grow 6 plants for recreational with no license needed or you can go cheap route and get your medical license from doctor for $30-200 bucks and dr decides how many plants you can grow like up to 99 plants thats what picks the price..200 gets you 99 plants ...if dr says you need certain amount then that is what you r allowed 2 grow ..
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

565
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stay out of ca..... I know what Godfthrfram said... But I just moved from ca.... and the truth is you need $$$$$ to do it right ...... unless you have 500,000.00- milloin to roll your going to have problems...... 1st off your a outsider.................................................................................................................................... and the people in ca are azz holes and $$$ talks BS Walks................. In sol ca IE, the going price is 20.00 a gram, store owners pay around 800.00-1500.00 a lb................. on weds and fri you can go to the bub sweep meet and pay the same price as the owners........ EVERYONE is GROWING your going to just fad away............................ just my 2 cents........... ( need about 200,000.00 just to get a lic if you can even get one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by the time you pay off everyone with there hand in your wallet)

Thats a bleak overview on things.... Thanks for sharing, it seems you're talking from real experience and it aint the 1st time i'm hearing this stuff. Thats the reason I went away from considuring Cal but right now everything is on the table for me.

May I ask how did you come up with these figures? 200K for lic- from what I gathered, I thought more in the direction of 50-60K to cover the legal issues, 500K-1M for a running operation? I'm not looking to become the next House of Dankness, just wanna work hard and earn a nice living growing my product.

What about growing 6-99 plants without a "proper" licence? Will store owners/dispensaries buy my product? What's the authorities approach to this/legality of doing so? and yeah I'm an outsider...

I am very curious, why are you so intent on coming to the USA. It seems as though Israel is far more friendly towards Cannabis that he US is.

That's a TOTALLY wrong assumption my friend an im curious on how you came up with that. If Israel was 10% as friendly as the US I would have never consider leaving. Did you read my first post? The law subscribes the plant as totally illegal for recreational use, possession under 15 grams is considered illegal possession, 15 and above is trafficing/drug dealing, Usualy if you get cought with a joint and shut up you'll end up with a fine of 300$ which is about a week's minmum wage (if it happens again it means a criminal record and probation/posible arrest and trial). If you get cought with more than a joint- 2-15 grams it will most likely go to trial and the authorities will push for criminal charges, more than 20,000 criminal records for personal possession are instigated each year. 15g and above is a criminal record for sure, probation period and possible community service as penelty.

Now lets talk a bit about growing, if you get cought growing illigally its jail time for 99% of cases even if its only 6 plants in a crappy grow tent- youll go to jail. If we're talking about small-medium illigal operations like what a ran before, its mandatory two years inside and up to five years, that happens every day.

Wanna talk legal? fine; the highest authority regarding issuing breeding/growing/distributing/packaging and security licences is the department of health's Unit for Medical Canabis or "HaYakar". Each part of the distribution chain has to be a different legal entaty and aquire a seperate licence from Hayakar which is a corrupt fucking bolshevik organization. Yuval Landshpat- the head of this unit is an ex pharmacist who was appointed by Ehud Ulmert- the most corrupt prime minister in Israel history- in fact Ulmert was charged, sentenced and served two years in jail for taking bribes on multiple occasions, right now ulmert is an active partner and an investor in a new cannabis growing company called UNIVO, who issued the license for them? you got it. Landshpat the head of Hayakar is also a partner of at least 8 commercial cannabis businesses in Israel and abroad, again ANY licence regarding canabis is issued by himself...

The state of the market right now is that you have to be heavily connected to even think about getting a licence. You think the startup costs are high in the US? in israel you're talking about costs of about 1-1.5M$ per acre and more. The product sells for 7NIS a gram which is about 2USD and that's in bulk. you crunch the numbers and see that your only financial feasibility is a farm that spreads on at least 3 acers. That farm will have to uphold so many good practices procedures i dont know where to begin. If you compare it to the canadian regulation which is already very strict, it doesn't even touches the surface, were talking about 1M USD a year just for security in order to get the GSP certification, Inhouse lab, warehouse, vault and much much more. I can go on for a week but i think you got the point.

The state and that corrupt unit just took the soul out of cannabis growing, for example you are not allowed to use ANY organig fertilizer/nutrient- just mineral/chemical. If cought during an inspection, having organic nutrients in the premise will revoke your licence....
 
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basscaptain

basscaptain

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you can move to cal, go get a med lic and yes grow for yourself...... You can them go sale to your loc. shop...Yes Just like Everyone Else.... if that's what you want to try then yes you could start up for 25,000.- 50,000 just cost of land to buy or lease??? your not leaseing unless yu get lucky the 1-2yr your still a outside,,,,,, If you want to do that... get some land in az/ havasu/ cottontail cove area.. Don't say Sh.t to anyone .............................. set up shop and sale in the IE in Ca....................................
 
cemchris

cemchris

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I think CO is the place to go for minimal governmental requirements regarding cannabis cultivation but if I do decide to go, I'll go to wherever the plant is free...

That's a pretty good joke.

Co is an ever changing landscape. Personal grows got hammered. Med card plant count doesnt matter anymore since a residence is hard capped no matter what (which is a bonus if you want to get into the commercial med game). My best suggestion is if you are 100% serious about this hop on a plane and come talk to some people that have been here since this all started when it was Med and now the Rec stuff. They will sing a very different tune. Also your goals. If you are looking for commercial success then you will prob want to be in Denver. Better bring a check book. I think unless you are buying a current license you have to have a med one before you have a rec one. About a year ago there was a moratorium on new licenses after they hit like 600 plus different spots. Don't take this as a debbie downer. It can be done but I think you need to understand your goals and what you want to accomplish and what that really takes in this landscape. Do you like to grow? Sorry most of your time is going to be spent at M.E.D. and the city offices. That's where the joke of "minimal governmental requirements" comes in. Better bring your own employees also that can work and pass all the background stuff. That makes or breaks a business like this.

Good Luck. That's just the shops not the grows in Denver proper.
IMG 1721
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

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Yes I'm very serious and no you don't have to own your land there are plenty of people who rent land for specifically growers and are all ready set up with grow bags soil drip lines ect...if you live in cali the law says you can grow 6 plants for recreational with no license needed or you can go cheap route and get your medical license from doctor for $30-200 bucks and dr decides how many plants you can grow like up to 99 plants thats what picks the price..200 gets you 99 plants ...if dr says you need certain amount then that is what you r allowed 2 grow ..

@Godfthrfarm Thanks for the info.

So let me get it straight, once i'm in Cal, I can pay 200$ for a medical license to grow 99 plants, rent a piece of land, grow my product and sell it to local stores for about 1,500 a pound? That sounds perfect for me right now. 99x2 pounders=300K a year, its not miillions but its good enough for me. where's the downside?
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

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Unless your growing for personal needs Cali is not the place to go,just in my county alone,there are 6 large commercial grow companies, with over 200 employees each.EVERYTHING sold in CA has to be tested qlso before being sold. Ive grown commercially since 1989 ,made good money but now with the new laws its not financially stable anymore. So now its just a hobby.

Thanks for sharing man,
Sorry for the Q but why should I care about competition? its all about supply and demand and right now its still highly proffitible- If you can start up for 50K and have operational expensses on the same level, and if you know your shit, it means having profits of about 150k-200k a year. I think you can work your way up from there... what am i missing?
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

565
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you can move to cal, go get a med lic and yes grow for yourself...... You can them go sale to your loc. shop...Yes Just like Everyone Else.... if that's what you want to try then yes you could start up for 25,000.- 50,000 just cost of land to buy or lease??? your not leaseing unless yu get lucky the 1-2yr your still a outside,,,,,, If you want to do that... get some land in az/ havasu/ cottontail cove area.. Don't say Sh.t to anyone .............................. set up shop and sale in the IE in Ca....................................

Thanks again for your advice dude.
Well i don't dream big right now, just wanna grow full time again and still have food on the table for my family. As I said, growing is a part of whoo I am anI owe it to myself.

Your not the first guy warning me about being an outsider... but why should I care? I know what I'm doing proffesionaly and i'm not doing this to make friends. How will being an outsiderrr effect me really? are growers there so narrow eyed that they will try to harm me?
 
basscaptain

basscaptain

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Thanks for sharing man,
Sorry for the Q but why should I care about competition? its all about supply and demand and right now its still highly proffitible- If you can start up for 50K and have operational expensses on the same level, and if you know your shit, it means having profits of about 150k-200k a year. I think you can work your way up from there... what am i missing?
you will see whats up if you make the move out to ca.... what where saying is it sound good and your $$$ looks good on paper...... that's not real live....... I was born and raise in ca I know A Lot of people and Trust me, if there was money in it like you think............................................ I WOULD STILL BE THERE........................ Have Fun with your move to ca, go on food stamps, and try to make a living growing weed in a state that is not CHEAP to Live in and try, be ready to sell some lbs on the street, cause that's what will happen...... If you think you GOD's Gift to the grow world, Great for you But it not going to be easy for you TRUST me....
 
royfree2grow

royfree2grow

565
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you will see whats up if you make the move out to ca.... what where saying is it sound good and your $$$ looks good on paper...... that's not real live....... I was born and raise in ca I know A Lot of people and Trust me, if there was money in it like you think............................................ I WOULD STILL BE THERE........................ Have Fun with your move to ca, go on food stamps, and try to make a living growing weed in a state that is not CHEAP to Live in and try, be ready to sell some lbs on the street, cause that's what will happen...... If you think you GOD's Gift to the grow world, Great for you But it not going to be easy for you TRUST me....

I apperciate the honesty dude.
I dont dismiss your words. the opposite is the truth. Just wanted to know concrete reasons as to why it is so hard out there.
I'm taking your words and experiences very sseriously. thanks again.
 
basscaptain

basscaptain

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I don't think you understand when we/ I say everyone is growing,Here is the bottom line My bro own a shop and I watch him pay nothing for lbs cause it's everywere...... and guys are just trying to move it to pay there bills...... there guys are living in the hood growing and driving cars that are 20yrs old, people out here are growing and turning evry 8 weeks just to pay there bills
 
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