With legalization starting to take its first steps into the US, I can help but wonder if marijuana as a business is going to experience another green rush as it did with when it was first accepted medicinally in California. As the past few days seem to indicate, Colorado is doing pretty well for itself. I'm thinking that now would be a great time to get into the industry, before everything really takes off. I'm personally not a huge advocate of complete legalization, but if thats the way it going to be Id like to be on board. I've been smoking regularly for roughly 5 years now, just this past year I started my own grow and immediately loved the process. I have a few questions for anyone who is in the Industry. 1.) How did you get your start in the marijuana business ? 2.) What advice do you have for someone interested in getting started ? Thanks !
You're better off staying in your state and starting a movement or move to a state that is going to legalize or go medical. Otherwise you are just a small fish in a huge pond and you'll probably end up low man on the totem pole like any company or business
Get to growing legally and being a provider. Be legal but super low key. Next grow the best medicine that anyone can find. When your shit is labeled by everyone to be the best around then you have it going on. Im not making a pile of money or counting on it as a living but lets just say there is no problem paying the power bill.
Im also interested in this. I think we just have to dig into the specifics of the law and then get creative and use our ingenuity with what would be appealing to alot of people and how we can make it happen.
I'll stand behind staying local and being a part of the process OR move to a state that is about to open up.Lining up access to capital is important. The biggest hang up I ever hear from anyone is how much money they don't have. Get it. It's about networking. Money can be a zero problem if knowledge, presentation of your idea, and a drive to walk through whatever challenges come up in the capital raising occurs. Go buy a suit and take some classes if you haven't ever run a business before.It's possible. If you haven't played in the money raising arena it might sound impossible. I started with nothing but a network that I worked into and it's a prominent business.Growing skills really don't make much of a difference unless you've operated a production facility with around 80 lights perpetually harvesting (10 lights a week); although, that's just one way to skin that cat. The skill is out there and it's all about getting that train moving - don't be afraid to spend money on experience/consulting - it's worth it's weight in gold. If you have skills you'll most likely end up doing it differently - I'm no discounting knowledge whatsoever. I am stressing that knowing business and how to be financially stable is much more important if you want to succeed in the whole game. OR, like Washington (unlike here in CO these past 3 years) you can open a store and not deal with growing - the expensive part of building. Reg 280E is a bitch, though. People think we're all killing it by looking at the numbers - consider out of $5m in those first five days of sales, the truth is about 3% will make it to the bottom line. A 7-11 will clear 10% of gross revenues. Warehouses are COGS and can be written off. Dispensaries all battle this problem. I went to DC to lobby against this last year. It's something I didn't know when four years ago I opened up thinking I'll pay that credit card off in a few months and four years later there is still debt. This will all change soon... This is how the Feds have had their hand in controlling the biz thru the back door.It's a good time. It's not easy. You'll love it and hate it. It's all being on top of your's and everyone else's game. Customer service is more important than having an award winning strain. Location isn't that crucial just yet in new markets. Asking questions, making calls, reading laws, speaking with MPP and NCIA about where new markets will open up - reading their laws, the rules here in CO are a good example of what states are going to use - google "amendment 64 rules", dif than the law. Wanna know this industry? Google "Colorado MMED news rules info" and go to the state's site and read all of that.Hopefully this pushes one of you into perusing your dream. It's not all big money stopping you. It isn't cheap, but there are creative ways to get into the game - even here in CO.
If you have to ask you got no chance. This green rush has been established for 15 years already. I love all the first post threads on how to get into the industries. Keep growing for your self and go get a real job. Why does every pot head think because I smoke a lot I should make a career out of this. It's not going to happen. There is some real advice for you.
Well it depends on what kind of capital you have. But you dont have to break into an industr by trying to grow and go with the flow/ sea of green already existing. You can make your own way. Now that it is legal there are alot of doors opening up for potential buisness ideas if you can think creatively on how to integrate legal cannabis into buisness ideas. But i agree if your trying to break into the industry by growing or doing something alot of other people have already been doing, obviously you can just be a small wave. BE creative, find others who are thinking creatively and want to collaborate, but dont rely solely on your ideas! I agree with you 100% on that. FInd a stable job and just see if you find the right opportunities involving MJ along the way.
Thats what Im banking on, Im from New York and just this week they've started talks about introducing Medical Marijuana
You could try to get into the upcoming lottery for WA commercial licences. More apps than spots at the moment so they are randomly picking. You may get lucky!!
I'm trying to get my degree in Horticulture, Botany, and Biology. What colleges would you recommend? I'm trying to look for colleges in Florida and then moving elsewhere. What are the Pros and Cons of getting into this business? Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
I've been growing high quality Cannabis for years. Instead of moving out to the West Coast in an attempt to jump into an already saturated market, I'm staying on the East Coast. When legalization hits I'll already have my shit together and I'll be able to slide right into the game.
It literally happened overnight. My business partner, asked if I would be able to help him with his startup business in the Cannabis Industry. I wasn't sure if I was ready to make that leap, as I have a few other businesses that I own and run as well. However, once I was able to see the true vision and what he was creating and how he wanted to make a difference, I was hooked. (www.directcannabisnetwork.com) My advice is you have to start somewhere, don't give up and make sure to always dot your i's and cross your t's especially in this industry. Things are changing daily and it's better to be overly prepared. Also don't let money be the reason, as any startup, it's a process and nothing happens over night, if your only focused on the money it can only get you so far. Good luck to each and everyone of you!
Breaking into this industry cab be tough. My wife abdominal I have some incredible ideas for this industry, but like you said CAPITAL, CAPITAL, CAPITAL. Yes This can be a dream job, if you can get invited to the party. And even then you don't know if the girl/guy you've been eyeing is gonna talk to you (whatever company's and our what brand or concept you're bringing to the table). Then you've got to get him/her comfortable enough to open up to you so that you can learn some of their secrets to being so popular(trade secrets for success). Then you're gonna have to wow and woo his/her friends in order to get everyone on the same thinking, playing, and vision. And even when you've done all that and let's say hey its you're lucky day/night wharf have you abs you get into bed with her/him (all of you working towards a common goal) you could hit the jackpot. But remember this, it's a dirty, dirty game and people will just like that dream person you've been working on all night, could possibly burn you in the end. So go in with your head held up high, don't be overly confident(thinking you can just sweep'em off their feet and off to fairy tale land),but enough determination, preservation, and prayer then hey, you may be the next Bill Gates of cannabis. Hope all works out to be good for ya! Amen.
I have two questions. Has anyone ever had experience with those "grow schools" out there like Oaksterdam University. I'm looking into that to gain experience to bring to my home state. Also, where can I stay up to date with laws? Is there a certain website I don't know about? I just want to keep myself up to date.
I learned more on this website then I did through Oaksterdams course book. If that helps at all. Getting into the industry is easy. Being successful at it is the hard part. First you need to figure out what you want to do in the industry. Grower, Vendor, Store front, supplies, extract artist. Once you know what your gonna do you need to start networking and getting that name out there. As far as making/growing your own goes. Unless you are winning awards or rappers are rapping about your strain good luck in that area.
WWW.MPP.org Www.norml.org These sites have great information on legalization efforts. As far as learning techniques forums have some of the best information if you take the time to find it. Www.growweedeasy.com is a great site that has a lot of step by step instructions. Hope this helps!