Growing is the germination of any of the three species of cannabis through to the harvesting and curing phase.
There are three general types of cannabis grow facilities:
- Outdoor facilities refers to a facility in which cannabis is grown under natural sunlight and widely exposed to the elements
- Greenhouse facilities refers to a facility in which cannabis is grown under filtered sunlight with assisted electrical lighting and environmental conditions are partially controlled
- Indoor facilities refers to a facility in which cannabis is grown under electrical lighting and environmental conditions that are tightly controlled
Hemp is a generic term for cannabis grown for the biomass and non THC components of the cannabis plant.
Growing is considered the first stage of the cannabis supply chain, followed by manufacturing or consumer sales. Growing is generally the only regulated stage for the hemp supply chain; hemp may be sold direct from the farm to the consumer or progressed to the manufacturer.
Whether cannabis is destined to be hemp or marijuana, both products begin their supply chain life cycle in the growing sector.
Farming
Farming cannabis for hemp requires the farm to maintain its crop under a legally defined percentage of THC. International, national, and local jurisdictional laws may differentiate a cannabis plant based on the percentage of THC, permitting the industrial growing of hemp while restricting marijuana. In most jurisdictions, farmers are licensed to grow, process, and package hemp and may interact directly with a consumer.
The principal function of a hemp farmer is to produce biomass for industrial fiber or extraction of chemical components other than THC. Hemp can normally leave the track and trace regulatory framework after the manufacturer has provided proof that the cannabis material supplied to them was hemp compliant.
Cultivation
Cultivation is the growing of cannabis not legally defined as hemp or defined specifically as marijuana. Depending on the jurisdiction, cultivators can serve the medical or adult use supply chains. In most jurisdictions, cultivators are licensed to cultivate, process, and package cannabis products for cannabis establishments, but do not interact directly with a consumer.
The principal function of a cannabis cultivator is to produce cannabis plants with the aromas, flavors, active compounds, and overall quality demanded by consumers and production intermediaries.
Farming refers to growing cannabis that has THC levels under a legally defined percentage, while cultivation refers to the growing of any crop with THC levels over the permitted farming levels.