Winds of Change

Jennifer Polanz

I started in this industry 13 years ago, and if you would have told me that in 2016 I’d be researching topics surrounding marijuana, I would have thought you were crazy. Like, what are you smoking? But, alas, I find myself doing that very thing and it seems the winds of change have blown quickly through our industry. One thing that surprises me is how quickly medicinal and recreational marijuana has become the norm in some states (thanks to NORML—remember them from college?).

As medical and recreational growing legitimizes, we see many suppliers in horticulture testing the waters in that industry. In fact, a recent check of an indoor growing trade show read more like an exhibitor list from Cultivate’16.

So it’s a natural progression that we begin to see indoor growing of all types (not just for marijuana) on the retail side of our industry, as well. I find it interesting, though, that it’s a big name in our industry with a respected reputation (Homestead Gardens) that has made the biggest splash and they’ve spun the idea on its head to create something much larger. It’s a little bit like that scene in “Gone With the Wind,” when the men are asked to bid for dances with the belles of the county and the proceeds go to the “cause.” It was positively scandalous to the old guard (“where are my smelling salts?!”), until they find out it had the seal of approval from the flawless Melanie Hamilton. “If Melanie Hamilton says it’s all right, it ’tis alright,” comes the final response. In this case, it may be alright because it encompasses so much more, appeals to such a wide audience and has the potential to create new opportunity. But that’s for you to decide.

The winds of change don’t stop at indoor growing, either. We’re starting to see a change in how we approach water conservation, mainly in those segments of the country that have seen extreme drought. About 10 years ago, we saw it in Atlanta, Georgia. More recently it was Austin, Texas. And even more recently (and still ongoing) it’s California. Is it time for all of us to reconsider our relationship with water and how we use it? Jennifer Duffield-White took a deeper look at what we can learn from those drought experiences.

And yet another example of changing our view is Bill McCurry’s story for our inventory control series on curbing theft. It could be happening right under your nose and simply because you don’t believe that one employee, who’s like family, could do that to you. It’s so sad and unfortunate, but in today’s day and age, the person stealing from you could be the most unlikely candidate.

Last, but certainly not least, we looked for change—as in something different—in this year’s Spring Trials retail coverage. 

The winds of change are blowing and there are choices to make. GP