cover of episode 609. What Does It Take to Run a Cannabis Farm?

609. What Does It Take to Run a Cannabis Farm?

2024/10/31

Freakonomics Radio

Key Insights

Why did Chris Weld transition from emergency medicine to running a cannabis farm?

He was tired of working in the ER and found a derelict orchard with a historic spring, leading him to start a distillery and later a cannabis farm.

Why is Chris Weld's cannabis farm called The Pass?

The name reflects the farm's location in the mountains and the idea of passing from one state of mind to another with legal cannabis.

Why is indoor cannabis cultivation more expensive than outdoor or greenhouse cultivation?

Indoor cultivation requires precise control of temperature, light, and moisture, using more technology and energy.

Why are some cannabis plants not as developed as others in Chris Weld's outdoor grow field?

Different cultivars have varying growth rates and some may not finish developing in time for harvest.

Why is there a glut in the cannabis market in Massachusetts?

There's too much canopy, leading to overproduction and people selling cannabis at cost or below cost.

Why do some public health officials express concern about highly concentrated THC products?

There's limited research on long-term harms, and the potency of these products can be manipulated without consumer awareness.

Why does Chris Weld believe cannabis is less harmful than alcohol?

He cites his experience in ERs where alcohol-related incidents were common, but he rarely saw cannabis-related violence or accidents.

Why is cannabis testing in Massachusetts more stringent than in New York?

Massachusetts has a more controlled and regulated approach to cannabis legalization, with extensive testing for quality and safety.

Why does Chris Weld think the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is struggling?

There's been over-licensing and overproduction, leading to a race to the bottom and an unstable market environment.

Why doesn't Chris Weld use cannabis despite running a cannabis farm?

He enjoys growing and working with the plant but isn't a heavy consumer himself.

Chapters

Chris Weld, a former emergency room worker, transitions from running a successful distillery to entering the cannabis industry. He discusses the initial excitement and challenges of navigating the chaotic cannabis economy.

Chris Weld's background in emergency medicine and his transition to the cannabis industry.
The initial excitement and challenges of the cannabis market.
The cannabis industry's state of chaos and financial instability.

Shownotes Transcript

Chris Weld worked for years in emergency rooms, then ditched that career and bought an old farm in Massachusetts. He set up a distillery and started making prize-winning spirits. When cannabis was legalized, he jumped into that too — and the first few years were lucrative. But now? It turns out that growing, processing, and selling weed is more complicated than it looks. He gave us the grand tour. (Part three of a four-part series).)

SOURCES:
Chris Bennett, operations manager at Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
Luca Boldrini, head of cultivation at The Pass.
Yasmin Hurd), director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai.
Chris Weld), founder and owner of Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
RESOURCES:
"As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms)," by Megan Twohey, Danielle Ivory, and Carson Kessler (*The New York Times, *2024).
"Evaluation of Dispensaries’ Cannabis Flowers for Accuracy of Labeling of Cannabinoids Content)," by Mona M. Geweda, Chandrani G. Majumdar, Mahmoud A. ElSohly, et al. (*Journal of Cannabis Research, *2024).
"The Complicated, Risky — but Potentially Lucrative — Business of Selling Cannabis)," by James R. Hagerty (*The Wall Street Journal, *2023).
"Marijuana Content Labels Can’t Be Trusted)," by Shira Schoenberg (*CommonWealth Beacon, *2022).
"Growing Cannabis Indoors Produces a Lot of Greenhouse Gases — Just How Much Depends on Where It’s Grown)," by Jason Quinn and Hailey Summers (*The Conversation, *2021).
"Blood and Urinary Metal Levels Among Exclusive Marijuana Users in NHANES (2005-2018))," by Katlyn E. McGraw, Anne E, Nigra, Tiffany R. Sanchez, et al. (*Environmental Health Perspectives, *2018).
"The Carbon Footprint of Indoor Cannabis Production)," by Evan Mills (*Energy Policy, *2012).
EXTRAS:
"Cannabis Is Booming, So Why Isn’t Anyone Getting Rich?)" by *Freakonomics Radio *(2024).
"Is America Switching From Booze to Weed?)" by *Freakonomics Radio *(2024).