Marijuana Business Magazine May-June 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | May-June 2019 128 G rowing hemp is a lot like growing tomatoes and poinsettias—but it’s not entirely the same. As a dioecious plant that doesn’t self-pollinate, there is a certain learning curve to mastering hemp production that makes it unique. That’s what the team at Greenhouse Growing System (GGS) in Lochbuie, Colorado, learned when the operation started growing clones for hemp production in 2015. The 110,000-square-foot green- house operation is leveraging its mainstream experience with more than 50 years of agricultural green- house production to produce organic hemp clones and indoor flower for CBD extraction, and to partner with new farmers to provide technical farming support. GGS is investing in new technology and infrastructure to ensure sustainable and efficient production, and its research and development team is building out a new source for high-CBD varieties and reliable, feminized seed. GGS was founded in 2015 as one Growing Green By Laura Drotleff Colorado’s Greenhouse Growing System draws experience from traditional horticulture to produce clones for hemp cultivators Business Strategies | Cultivation Colorado-based Greenhouse Growing System is relying on technology and experience with traditional horticulture as it scales up production of organic hemp clones for clients across the United States. To aid in this growth, the company is: • Constructing a 13,000-square-foot space with concrete floors and rolling benches after outgrowing its 11,000-square-foot propagation area. • Retaining staff from business part- ner Tagawa Greenhouse Enter- prises, a Colorado company with 50 years of experience growing ornamental bedding plants. • Introducing the Ellepot system to provide clients with organic plugs for industrial hemp clones. • Conducting trials and planning to debut a feminized seed product in 2021. The Ellepot system provides organic plugs for industrial hemp clones. Photo by Kate Lavin