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February 9, 2010

Want a pot grow room? Call this Walnut Creek company

Good Green Builders is a general contracting company that has made a specialty out of building hydroponic rooms for the cultivation of everything from orchids to tomatoes. "Have you ever dreamed of growing your own food indoors?" is a question the company asked on its website. The company also shows photos of its hydroponic rooms on its website, like the one shown here. 

Now the company’s three owners want to be the first company in the Bay Area, and possibly the nation, to build rooms for people designed for the legal cultivation of medical marijuana.

This is what the company’s three owners, William McKenzie, Brian Mitchell and Brett McCormick, have told the Oakland Tribune. They see profit potential in the medical marijuana industry.

“It’s very substantial,” McKenzie tells the Tribune. He adds that all of California would stand to benefit from an additional $1.5 billion in tax revenue if pot were legalized.

As the Tribune says:
Those figures hinge on one thing: Pot, which someone has to grow. Built-to-code grow rooms just make the endeavor safer and more legitimate. “This has been underground for so long,” McKenzie said.
Although the company’s mailing address is in Walnut Creek, its target market is Oakland, “the industry’s Bay Area epicenter” for the medical cannabis industry, according to the Tribune.

Of course, Walnut Creek isn't quite so, uh, unhip. It does have its own—albeit controversial—pot club, C3 Collective. And, the city is in the process of studying if and how it would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to establish themselves in town. Last year, the developer of another medical marijuana dispensary expressed interest in opening up in Walnut Creek, seeing a huge market of customers here and our suburb as becoming a national pioneer in how municipalities can regulate and earn income from pot clubs.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's what we need -- more pot heads.

Anonymous said...

Anon 5:26

Please don't awaken the sleeping Mickey! He must be hibernating as we haven't heard from him recently.

Castle Hill Bill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
People against jail for weed said...

I keep up every day. Do not worry. I am here. Just not a lot of excitement in the creek these days. But here we have some newsmakers and shakers to talk about. I prefer the term cannabis to "pot," for the record. I believe it is more educated and realistic to call something what it is vs. a slang term carrying some negative connotations. That being said, here are my ideas for good regulatory practices for those who choose to produce cannabis medicines.

Public Safety Standards:

1. All cultivation areas must be dedicated to only growing cannabis medicines. If the facility is a home, the area used for cultivation must have appropriate barriers and be restricted from the public. Only authorized patients, caregivers, or qualified staff should be allowed in the restricted garden area.

2. Intrusion alarm system should be implemented on facilities of collective cultivation where more than one patient garden is present or where medicine for patient use is stored. This will help deter criminal activity to the site and promote safety. Alarm system should have appropriate line supervision from a reputable security company.

3. All electrical needs for the cultivation area must be in accordance with local electrical codes.

4. Storage of medicine should be in an appropriate and secure area of the facility.

People against jail for weed said...

Good Cultivation Practices: (All organizations cultivating medicine should commit to follow these standards)

1. *Make the garden area a clean work environment*. Gardens and grow rooms should be kept cleaned and sanitized prior to cultivation. The best defense is prevention. By eliminating unwanted biological agents from the space prior to planting, you will reduce the need for harsh, potentially hazardous, chemical solutions later on. Surfaces should be kept dust free; floors should be swept or vacuumed regularly. Tools should be sanitized between uses. Plants should be inspected frequently for signs of infestations or chemical imbalance. Regular cleaning is a top priority for medical gardens.

2. *Wash up before and after working in grow areas. *Researchers have discovered that the most common pathogens transmitted in cannabis are choloform and *E. Coli *bacteria. The transfer of these bacteriological agents can be greatly reduced by washing your hands before and after working in a garden.

3. *Use proper safety equipment when handling medicine*. Use gloves and facemasks when handling medicine intended for direct consumption. It is good practice to have a change of clothes, including shoes, which are designated for use in the garden. This helps avoid bringing in pests and contaminants from the outside. If you wanted to go a step further, you can wear protective Tyvek suits, hairnets, protective shoe booties, and nitrile gloves. This safety equipment can be purchased relatively cheap at medical supply stores and safety equipment outlets.

4. *Keep unnecessary elements out of the medicine areas.* Gardens and grow rooms should not be high traffic areas. People not directly working in the garden should stay out, as they may introduce contaminants. Keep children and pets out of garden areas at all times. Grow rooms are not good storage areas and should be kept clear of clutter. Do not eat in the garden area. Do not smoke tobacco products in the garden. The smoke from tobacco (including blunts) contains unnatural toxins which can build up upon the foliage. This can harm plants and possibly patients. Be aware when working around ventilation intakes, as harsh chemicals and cleaners may be drawn in through the system and contaminate the grow. Use filters when needed and seal the room well to control pests

5. *Use safe cleaning products and plant maintenance additives.* Since harsh chemicals can damage plant vitality and accumulate inside plant tissue, they should be used sparingly when cultivating medicine. There are many safe and effective fertilizers, pesticides & cleaning agents on the market. Using natural cleaning solutions, such as diluted hydrogen peroxide, are often less expensive and more effective than brand name cleansers. Even natural citrus cleaners can contain petroleum bases that can damage both plants and equipment. Isopropyl alcohol works well on surfaces, utensils and equipment. The use of organic pesticides and nutrients are strongly encouraged as they may be easily flushed and come from natural sources. A simple solution of organic soap can usually take care of small infestation problems if caught early enough. This is why it is important that every plant in the garden be inspected regularly to catch any issues that may arise before they become problematic. Be aware of every product used during cultivation, its possible effects upon human health and document how it was applied. Ensuring patient safety should be the most important factor when selecting a product to use in medical gardens. If unsure, ask a professional for help.

People against jail for weed said...

6. *Always flush with plenty of clear water before harvesting.* It is important to clean out as much fertilizer and plant additives that may have accumulated in the plant tissue prior to harvest. Properly flush each plant with the appropriate volume of water. Many resources are available for proper flushing techniques.

7. *Handle finished medicinal flowers and byproducts (trimmings) with extreme care. *Cure medicine in a sanitized, well ventilated drying area. Adjust the temperature, humidity and air-flow to minimize the risk of mold. Whether trimming before or after the drying process, it is important to have clean hands, tools, storage containers and work surfaces. Use gloves, facemasks, and dedicated clothing, as if working in the garden. Handle trimmings intended for concentrates, edibles, or other cannabis based products, with the same care as finished flowers. Waste should be removed immediately.

8. *Be proactive.* The most dangerous element of growing medical cannabis is human error on part of the cultivator. Pathogens do not magically appear; they were either present in the room before planting, or introduced later through improper practices. Inspect and sanitize the garden frequently. Keep good notes and do not be afraid to ask a professional when situations arise. Most products related to growing have contact numbers on them to reach the company directly. If unsure if a product is appropriate for your needs, call and ask a representative.

BTW, I am so honored that every time soccer mom posts something about cannabis you think of me, anon. That is so sweet. I love to be of service to the community. Yes SM, the Creek is becoming quite a good area to raise kids AND use cannabis safely. Who woulda thunk it? Times they are a changin.' At least it is not a bunch of drunken boozers (no offense to those who use alcohol responsibly) moving into town to pillage and urinate all over. The local Safeway may be sold out of Doritos pretty soon though. LOL.

Castle Hill Bill said...

A marijuana grow room could be a very green & profitable alternative use for the expensive and unnecessary underground parking garage at the 'damn library.'

People against jail for weed said...

Now there is a great idea. Let me know what I can do to help move that forward.

Anonymous said...

Welcom back Mickey! I knew you would not be silent on this.

I agree with you and Castle Hill in that a way to complete the financing would be to use the "damn library" parking lot as a growing shed. Right across the street from the police department so security should not be a problem and just think what an education the little kiddies could get when they visit the library. Actually with the fireplaces and comfortable easy chairs acattered around the building what better place to enjoy a little weed.

Seriously Mickey, you are a very articulate man so why don't you join in on some discussions other than marijuana.

People against jail for weed said...

I do join in on some. I discuss issues that I believe are important. There is only so much time in the day, so I have to pick and choose my battles. I am from P-Hill so I do not keep up much on the innerworkings of the creek too often. I chime in on some of soccer mom's more colorfuyl pieces and always enjoy seeing what she is up to. I also visit claycord sometimes. Realistically all of this electronic communication and the overwhelming amount of cannabis issues on the tables these days keeps me pretty busy. If it is not a freind from gradeschool on facebook it is an unruly journalist or city councilperson I need to educate. It is a tireless battle and a topic that just seems to grow more and more ach day. I will do my best to join in some more extra-carricualr conversations, though. It would probably be healthy for me. LOL.

Thud said...

Micky...there are so many of us nonbelievers to re educate,you truly are a saint.

Jojo Potato said...

You go Bill! Let's make that DL pay it's way.

Infrastructure Supporter said...

Jojo,
In your last message, it should be "its way", not "it's way".
Check it out at your local school or public library.
Public schools and libraries are an excellent investment of our resources.

Jojo Potato said...

You're right. I see on grammar hub the distinction between its and it's. No libraries were used to find this information.

Anonymous said...

I find it very interesting that when some people don't have anything of value to contribute they feel it is their job to shoot down otheres as a part of the grammar police.

Good for you JoJo. You started my day with a chuckle.

People against jail for weed said...

Thanks Thud,
BTW, you do not have to believe in anything, just as long as the American Medical Association, The American College of Physicians, The National Institute of Medicine, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Nurses Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Canadian Medical Association, British Medical Association, American Pain Foundation, American Medical Women's Association, Lymphoma Foundation of America, American Nurses Association, California Nurses Association, AIDS Action Council, National Women's Health Network, Doctors of the World-USA, Gay Men's Health Crisis, American Public Health Association, The Medical Society of the State of New York, Rhode Island Medical Society, California Medical Association, HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Medical Students Association, Lymphoma Foundation of America, Arthritis Research Campaign, Whitman-Walker Clinic, Cancer Monthly, HIV Medicine Association, American Medical Students Association, Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, Assembly of the American Psychiatric Association, Lymphoma Foundation of America, California Pharmacists Association, ormer U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders, M.D., Dr. Jesse L. Steinfeld, former U.S. Surgeon General, Francis L. Young, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge, Scott Fishman, president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and 80% of my fellow Americans do.

Anonymous said...

"4. Storage of medicine should be in an appropriate and secure area of the facility."

You can apply words like "medicine" to your drugs, but in the end I think everyone knows the VAST MAJORITY of these 21 year-old "patients" are healthy as a horse and are using this "medicine" as a recreational drug.

But keep trying.

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Clark Adams said...

So marijuana was a medicinal plant to begin with. I've looked it up on some wikis. In my opinion, businesses like this would be very beneficial for the community, or even the entire nation. Just by looking at the number of benefits it has on the wiki sites I've seen, it's really going to help a lot of medical facilities. As long as the product of that said business won't be used for recreational purposes, it's going to be all good.

I think that the certification process should follow the safety standards you've mentioned in one of your comments. The certifying body has to be really strict with this because marijuana is still illegal to some extent. That security thing you've mentioned can be done by using some security software integrated with cameras, door sensors and stuff.

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