Age: 26 Company: The Honest Marijuana Company Position: Founder
But the Colorado grower is careful to point out that recalls shouldn’t cause a statewide panic.
“I think the industry needs to remain calm about the pesticide recalls, as it means the system is working and bad practices are being rooted out over time,” he says. “The truth is, though, as the commercialization of marijuana continues, there will be new pesticide regimens created to meet the regulations.”
Franciosi’s emphasis on honest business practices goes beyond pest control techniques. He’s taken every step possible to reduce his energy footprint with automated systems and ultra-efficient lighting.
The grow facility is designed to recapture upwards of 250 gallons of water per day. Franciosi takes advantage of northern Colorado’s cold climate to use dry-chiller cooling technology that handles the entire cooling load for much of the year using only highly efficient fans. The company’s cannabis will be packaged in environmentally friendly, recyclable tin cans that prevent any deterioration due to light and oxygen.
“Indoor cannabis can absolutely be sustainable, and we have done a few different things to try to improve a seemingly stale model of warehouse cultivation,” he says.