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Successful commercial marijuana cultivation requires a lot of planning, monitoring and adjusting. As cultivation has become more sophisticated, regulations have eased, and the market booms, you may have found yourself strained for space or struggling with scaling grow room operations. Commercial growers face plenty of challenges that can make or break the business, and costly mistakes can derail your finances quickly. 

Common Costly Mistakes

While exceptional plant science and business smarts play a major role in how well you do as a Northern California commercial  marijuana grower, there are a number of physical space mistakes that can be avoided. Here are some to be aware of: 

Underestimating the Amount of Space Needed

Indoor grow space is limited to the footprint of the room, so detailed planning is necessary. As you begin to plan the design of your grow room, do so with the assumption that business will be good and you will likely need to expand at some point. 

But more space doesn’t necessarily mean a bigger facility — it means being smart with the square footage you have available. An efficient grow room takes advantage of every possible inch of usable space. And the most common culprits of wasted space? Aisles.

SSI’s GROW Mobile System addresses dead space by offering a vertical, movable, configurable solution that maximizes the use of your facility. The stacked shelving allows for multiple levels of growing area while the carriage-and-rail system reduces wasted aisle space. So as your business grows, you can grow more plants in the same amount of square footage. 

Using Improper Equipment

Repurposing traditional equipment for use in a grow room may seem tempting, but it’s typically not the best decision. For example, standard commercial air conditioning units have limitations in humidity control, which can cause underperforming growth and ultimately impact the bottom line. Growing marijuana is complex, and the equipment needed for successful cultivation is specific to the plant’s biology. 

Cannabis plants need fresh air with plenty of circulation. Fans and HVAC units keep plants at the proper temperature, while humidifiers keep them hydrated with moisture from the air. Lighting is absolutely vital; cannabis plants need a lot of light, and too little light can drastically reduce your yield. 

Once the proper lighting, ventilation and irrigation is in place, incorporating a shelving system that allows for adequate light and airflow will keep your plants healthy and your yields high. Static tables or shelves are common among growers, but you can have a leg up on the competition with mobile shelving units that minimize wasted space and allow for multiple levels of healthy growing. 

Not Effectively Securing the Grow Room 

Keeping people out who shouldn’t be in the grow room can help you avoid the costly impact of theft or damage to your plants. Security cameras are the best way to keep an eye on your facility, preferably with multiple unobstructed views of the entire grow room. Use systems that have continuous monitoring and notification features so that your bases are covered at all times. 

Security systems serve double purposes in the cannabis industry, also acting as a compliance verification system. Choose a provider that is flexible and scalable as your operations and regulations change. It’s always a good idea to go with a provider that knows the cannabis industry and is knowledgeable about regulations, requirements, and security threats that are specific to commercial grow rooms. 

Other simple measures can be taken such as installing security fences, implementing entry screenings or secure access points, and properly storing finished products. The security system you have in place will also help keep your team safe. Speaking of which… 

Not Prioritizing Employee Safety

On-the-job injuries can be extremely costly for many reasons. If an employee gets hurt in the  marijuana grow room, you could be fronting the cost for medical care, facing workers compensation or lawsuits. Not to mention, you’ll likely need to fill the shift or suffer lower production while the employee is recovering. 

Do your best to create a safe environment for your employees. The SSI GROW Mobile System provides a mechanical-assist handle that your team can use to move heavy shelving with only one pound of effort. Your employees will be able to reach the aisles they need without fear of tripping, causing damage to themselves or the plants. The GROW Mobile System is customized to your needs and outfitted with anti-tip rails, safety locks, welded uprights and other measures to make your commercial grow room safer. 

Looking for more ways to optimize your marijuana commercial grow room? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to assist.