On September 19th, we focused in on the topic of large-scale “Outdoor Production” in a panel conversation between outdoor producers and processors. The discussion highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing outdoor cannabis cultivation in Canada, and the US, particularly regarding its market perception and production hurdles. See below for key takeaways or watch the full length online sessions here:
Key Challenges:
- Stigma: Outdoor cannabis is often viewed as lower quality, leading many producers to use their harvests for extraction rather than selling them as flower.
- Drying Issues: Controlling the drying environment for large volumes of cannabis presents significant difficulties, affecting quality and consistency.
- Infrastructure Costs: The expense of building large drying facilities has kept many outdoor producers from fully entering the dry flower market.
Market Insights:
- Gap in Supply Chain: Aron Tegenfeldt from Herbal Dispatch identified a growing demand for pre-rolls and affordable cannabis, particularly as the pre-roll market has overtaken dry flower sales in Canada. This shift presents an opportunity for outdoor producers to meet demand without the high costs associated with indoor cultivation.
- Shifting Consumer Preferences: Alex Sneider from Rollganics noted that consumers are becoming more discerning, prioritizing complex flavor profiles, terpene content, and overall quality over just THC levels. This evolution in consumer awareness may help combat the stigma associated with outdoor-grown cannabis.
Is the stigma around outdoor grown flower valid?
The stigma around outdoor-grown cannabis compared to indoor-grown largely stems from misconceptions about quality, consistency, and control.
- Quality Perception: Many consumers believe that indoor cannabis is of higher quality due to the controlled environment where factors like light, temperature, and humidity are tightly regulated. This can lead to more uniformity in potency, appearance, and cannabinoid content. On the other hand, outdoor-grown cannabis is often viewed as lower quality, mainly because it’s exposed to natural variables like weather, pests, and soil conditions, which can affect the final product.
- Aesthetic and Potency Concerns: Outdoor-grown cannabis plants can sometimes look less "perfect" than their indoor counterparts, showing more color variation or less dense buds. Additionally, there’s a perception that outdoor strains may have lower THC content, although this isn't always the case.
- Environmental Impact: Indoor growing requires significant energy consumption for lighting, climate control, and irrigation, which is often seen as less environmentally sustainable compared to outdoor cultivation. Outdoor growing, by contrast, uses natural sunlight and rainwater, making it more eco-friendly, but more susceptible to environmental stresses.
- Market Perception: The stigma is also driven by the cannabis market and dispensaries, which often charge more for indoor-grown strains due to their uniform look and consistent THC levels. This has fostered a preference for indoor cannabis, even though outdoor varieties can offer more complex terpene profiles and broader cannabinoid spectra due to exposure to natural elements.
While this stigma persists, many growers and consumers are starting to recognize the benefits of outdoor cultivation, particularly in terms of sustainability and unique terpene development. As market demands change, outdoor producers are exploring innovative drying and storage solutions to optimize their offerings. The panel emphasized the need for outdoor cultivators to adapt to these changing dynamics while maintaining quality to compete effectively with indoor producers.
Overall, the conversation underscored the potential for outdoor cannabis to carve out a niche in the evolving market landscape, provided producers can address existing challenges and leverage shifting consumer preferences.
