If cannabis is legal in my state, can I build a FACILITY anywhere I want?

Even if cannabis is legal in your state, you cannot build a cultivation facility just anywhere. State and local regulations strictly control where cannabis businesses can operate. Common restrictions include minimum distances from schools, parks, daycare centers, and other sensitive areas, as well as zoning rules that limit cultivation to certain industrial or commercial districts. Local municipalities may also impose additional licensing requirements, land-use approvals, or moratoriums that affect where a facility can be located. Additionally, access to utilities, water, and transportation infrastructure can influence site selection. Ensuring your facility is in a compliant, permitted location is essential not only for legal approval but also to avoid costly delays or fines during construction and operation.

Where in my town can I build my FACILITY?

The location of a cannabis cultivation facility in your town is governed by local zoning and land-use regulations, which determine where cannabis businesses are allowed to operate. Typically, municipalities restrict cultivation to industrial, agricultural, or specific commercial zones, and often require a minimum distance from schools, parks, daycare centers, and other sensitive areas. City or county planning departments usually provide maps or guidelines showing approved zones for cannabis operations, and some towns may have additional restrictions or moratoriums in place. Before selecting a site, it’s essential to consult local planning officials, review zoning codes, and confirm all permitting requirements to ensure your facility can legally operate in that location.

How much does it cost to build a CANNABIS FACILITY?

Building a cannabis cultivation facility is a major capital investment, and the costs can vary widely depending on its size, complexity, and whether you’re doing an indoor, greenhouse, or outdoor setup. For a commercial indoor facility, build‑out costs often range from $200 to $500+ per square foot, according to industry estimates. Licensing, permitting, and compliance can add tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands more, depending on state and local regulations. Key infrastructure—like HVAC, lighting, irrigation, and security—can cost hundreds of thousands to millions, especially for a mid‑to‑large operation. All told, startup capital for a regulated cultivation business typically falls anywhere from about $1 million to $10 million+, depending on scale and specification.

What size should my CULTIVATION be?

The average size of a legal cannabis cultivation facility varies widely by market, but most commercial operations fall in the 5,000–20,000 square-foot range of total facility space, with 2,000–10,000 square feet of actual canopy being common for sustainable, manageable production. This mid-scale size is large enough to achieve reasonable economies of scale—supporting multiple flower rooms, proper environmental control, and steady harvest cycles—while still being small enough to maintain quality, consistency, and compliance without the high capital and operational demands of massive warehouse grows. Smaller “craft” cultivations often stay under 5,000 square feet of canopy, whereas large industrial facilities may exceed 50,000 square feet, but most successful newcomers and mid-market operators start somewhere in the middle to balance cost, efficiency, and risk.

How do I securely store the cannabis and PRODUCT at my FACILITY?

Secure storage of cannabis and cannabis products in a licensed facility requires a restricted-access, locked storage area supported by strong security, documentation, and inventory controls. Products should be kept in a dedicated room that only authorized employees can enter, protected by keycard or code access and monitored by 24/7 video surveillance covering all entry points. Within the room, high-value or finished goods should be placed in locked cabinets, safes, or metal cages to create multiple layers of protection. All cannabis—raw material, packaged goods, and waste—must be tracked in the facility’s state-mandated inventory system, with every movement logged and regularly audited to prevent loss or diversion. Proper environmental controls should be maintained to protect product quality, and all access changes, storage procedures, and security measures should be formally documented in written SOPs to remain compliant with inspections and regulatory requirements.

What are the different ways to build a vault to secure cash and cannabis?

There are several ways to build a vault to securely store cash and cannabis in a licensed facility, each designed to meet regulatory and operational needs. A secure vault typically starts with a reinforced, fire-rated room or safe with heavy steel doors and tamper-resistant locks. Access control should be strict, using keycards, PIN codes, or biometric scanners, and entry should be limited to authorized personnel only. Many facilities also incorporate layered security, such as reinforced interior cages or safes within the vault, motion sensors, and 24/7 video surveillance to monitor activity. Vaults should be anchored and designed to prevent unauthorized removal, and cash and cannabis should be stored separately in designated containers within the vault. Additionally, robust inventory tracking and audit procedures complement physical security, ensuring both cash and product are fully accounted for and compliant with state regulations.

Will my CULTIVATION smell like cannabis? 

A cannabis cultivation facility will naturally produce noticeable odor, especially during the flowering stage when terpene production is highest. Without proper controls, the smell can travel far beyond the building and become a nuisance. However, a well-designed grow operation uses carbon filtration, negative-pressure airflow, sealed rooms, and strong HVAC systems to capture and scrub odors before they escape. When these systems are correctly sized, maintained, and paired with good facility design, most cultivations can keep odor to a minimal, contained level that complies with local regulations and avoids impacting neighbors or surrounding businesses.

How does the security work at a CULTIVATION FACILITY?

Security at a cannabis cultivation facility is built around strict regulatory requirements designed to prevent theft, diversion, and unauthorized access. Facilities typically use a layered security system, beginning with perimeter controls such as fencing, exterior lighting, and monitored entry points. Inside, all access to cultivation, storage, and processing areas is restricted to authorized employees through keycards, PIN codes, or biometric scanners, with every entry automatically logged. State regulations also require 24/7 video surveillance that clearly records all critical areas, including entrances, grow rooms, storage rooms, and any place where cannabis is handled. Alarm systems, motion sensors, and secured storage for both product and cash add additional protection. Together, these systems create a controlled, traceable environment that keeps the facility compliant, safe, and fully accountable to regulatory oversight.

Will my cannabis FACILITY need a generator?

Whether a cannabis cultivation facility needs a generator depends on local regulations and operational risk tolerance, but most commercial cultivators choose to install one because power stability is critical to protecting crops. Cannabis plants rely on precise lighting schedules, temperature, and humidity, and even a short outage can cause stress, reduce yields, or disrupt automated systems. A backup generator provides uninterrupted power to essential equipment such as lights, HVAC, dehumidifiers, environmental controls, and security systems. Many jurisdictions also require certain life-safety and security systems—like alarms, cameras, and access controls—to remain functional during outages, making backup power a compliance issue as well. For these reasons, while not always mandated, a generator is considered a best practice for maintaining consistency, protecting the crop, and ensuring regulatory continuity in a professional cultivation facility.

How much should I budget for security at a CULTIVATION?

Budgeting for security at a cannabis cultivation facility typically ranges from 3% to 8% of total startup costs, depending on the scale of the operation, regulatory requirements, and the level of sophistication needed. Security expenses generally include perimeter fencing, access-control systems, alarms, 24/7 video surveillance with required retention storage, secure product storage (safes, cages, vaults), lighting, and ongoing monitoring services. Larger indoor facilities or those in higher-risk areas may require more robust systems, increasing costs. In addition to installation, operators should also plan for ongoing monthly expenses such as system monitoring, equipment maintenance, camera storage upgrades, and periodic security audits. Overall, a well-planned security budget is essential not only for protecting the facility and employees, but also for meeting strict compliance standards set by cannabis regulators.

How long does it take to build a cannabis CULTIVATION?

The time required to build a cannabis cultivation facility varies widely depending on the size, complexity, and whether it’s a new construction or a retrofit. For small to mid-sized indoor or greenhouse operations, construction and full build-out—including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, environmental controls, security systems, and compliance inspections—typically takes 6 to 12 months. Larger commercial facilities or multi-room operations can take 12 to 24 months or more, especially if zoning approvals, permitting, and state inspections are involved. Outdoor cultivation can be faster to establish but still requires proper fencing, irrigation, and security, often taking several months before planting can begin. Planning, permitting, and compliance preparation are often the most time-consuming parts of the process, making early coordination with architects, contractors, and regulatory agencies essential to avoid delays.

Do you charge for a construction estimate for my new FACILITY?

No. We provide itemized budgets, idea books, and our proprietary construction outline for no charge and with no commitment required. If you are looking to build a new cultivation, we provide free estimates.