God bless you brother and thanks for your take. I'm not going to get into a pissing contest about who grows better or worse. I understand everyone and their dog wants to make a living growing bud in a legal state. I do and certainly respect what I have struggled to accomplish. I was one of the first patients here and was arrested and held without bail faced 30yrs for my advocacy and a handful of seedling starts.
We also have helped people who moved East years ago from CO. to escape the bullshit there and earn East Coast dollars here. While I'm not putting anyone else down I'm just pro me cuz if I'm not, you certainly, will never be.
While looking at CO. we've encountered the negative bullshit that emanates from people who are angry with someone else or outside people in general. I really don't let the negative vibes interfere with my goals. Yes I know a few MMC owners and MIPS extractors and have respect for all but don't subscribe to the theory there's no room for anyone else. Especially when I have standing offers from friends in the business across several states including yours.
Well I guess this is too touchy a subject to rationally discuss here. I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I believed there were still good people in the Industry and hoped for thoughts like: "well if I could go anywhere and grow bud my travels have told me I like X place" or "NorCal is better for X" and "SoCal faces this issue"
But as you so eloquently wrote "growers and gardeners are a dime a dozen and you should prepare for some hate"
If hate is what certain folks desire all I can do is pray for their happiness and salvation because I ain't dishing any out.
Work on that thick skin bud, you might need it. What are your goals here?
I'm not in the position that you are in, I am a nobody. I like it that way. Although I have been involved in the industry in various capacities, I haven't opened a 'dispensary', I haven't had to register with the state as a caregiver. I don't hate or dislike anybody, I don't claim to be a master grower and this community is comprised of many kind folks from all sorts of backgrounds. I don't have plants in the ground so you'd be pissing into the wind, I am not in a position to judge your growing skillz. I'm just letting you know what to expect. You don't have to share your resume to gain credibility, everyone sacrifices in some form or another. Thank you for your advocacy and standing up in the face of penalties for those who can't stand on their own.
There is always room for high quality product, regardless of market saturation, and I don't think many people will care to argue about the quality of their gardens versus another farmer. We are all in this together, at least this place is for the most part. You seem a bit defensive for putting yourself out there like you have done here. Please don't take my engagement in conversation as minimizing your experiences. Everyone brings something to the table. I'm curious what separates you from everyone else who also shares your opinion. Self confidence is a requirement in this industry, and if you are going to stick around you should stand behind yourself. Don't automatically assume that any replies are telling you to go away, as a patient I am excited about new products and strains and other ways farmers are growing good plants. Look at how live resin and rosin have taken off during the last twelve months, those can be game changers for businesses. I apologize as I am not trying to insult you, I'm curious to hear more, especially if crowds of folks are looking forward to what comes from your garden.
Confidence in yourself will allow you to correctly filter out the good info versus the bad, but over-confidence and arrogance won't get you far, here. I believe this place requires members to understand and accept that every person and every situation is different. There are all types here, and the old heads have seen it all before and still want the youngsters to stay off the lawn.
It isn't a touchy subject, you are just the 1,395th person to post what you did, and when you make statements like 'Especially when I have standing offers from friends in the business across several states including yours.', you come off as defensive and undermines whatever it is that you are trying to do. My mention of 'haters' is simply that your confidence might be met with skepticism, and nothing more. The magic question of success is what are you doing that nobody else is? If the answer is growing great weed, then I stand by my suggestion that growers are a dime a dozen. This isn't a respect/disrespect issue, it's a numbers game.
Finally, again, I wish you good luck in your endeavors and hopeful future successes. When you find the right people you will prosper no matter what. This is a good place to start, and I don't think anyone is being irrational.
Yet.
