Since the “Marihuana Tax Act of 1937” the cultivation of cannabis, a centuries-old herbal remedy, has been relegated to back rooms and basements, forced to thrive under grow lights in hush-hush locations. Grasshopper Farms is looking to change all that— taking a time-tested approach to cannabis cultivation by moving it back outdoors, forging old ground, so to speak.
“Outdoor plants, exposed to natural stressors, often produce more beneficial compounds,” Grasshopper Farms CEO Will Bowden told Grand Rapids Magazine. He’d invited us on a community tour of his Paw Paw farm in August. As a grower in a small community, he’s committed to redefining how cannabis is perceived. That means more transparency: with his neighbors, through tours and community engagement, and his customers, by offering an advanced labeling system.
According to Bowden, the sun-grown approach adheres to eco- friendly practices, reducing the carbon footprint associated with indoor cultivation. Unlike indoor growing operations that rely heavily on electricity for lighting and climate control, sun-grown cannabis benefits from natural sunlight and soil, enhancing the plant’s resilience and therapeutic properties, says Bowden.
Since its inception in 2020 and the first harvest in 2021, Grasshopper Farms has aimed to elevate the perceived quality of outdoor cannabis. The farm’s cannabis products are known for their superior quality, says Bowden, evidenced by them fetching a 30-to- 40 percent higher price vs other outdoor flower.
A former Coast Guard officer, Bowden entered the cannabis industry from a regulatory and licensing background. Recognizing the economic potential of outdoor cultivation, he’s intent on challenging the prevailing notion that high-quality cannabis can only be grown indoors, which he says happened over time through cultivation techniques aimed at producing high quality strains specifically for the indoor environment simply out of necessity. Bowden’s insights led him to develop his flagship outdoor grow operation in Paw Paw, which spans 160 acres, and he has since opened two other farms— one in New Jersey and one in Colorado. Looking ahead, Bowden envisions a network of farms that foster a collaborative community of knowledge and support that he plans to expand beyond the three states.
Central to the Grasshopper Farms mission is the study of terpenes—aromatic compounds in cannabis that not only impart its distinctive flavors and scents but also play a crucial role in its medicinal benefits. Terpenes work in tandem with cannabinoids to amplify the plant’s healing capabilities, offering various benefits. According to cannacon.org, myrcene aids relaxation and sedation, limonene reduces anxiety, pinene has anti-inflammatory prop-erties, caryophyllene has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Terpinolene provides antioxidant and sedative effects, and so on. Understanding terpene profiles allows consumers to tailor their cannabis purchases to their specific wellness needs, which is why Grasshopper Farms includes terpene, as well as cannabinoid, profiles on its labels.
“Again, it’s all about transparency,” says Bowden. Like ABV on alcohol, labeling cannabis products in this manner will enhance consumers’ understanding of how they react to different types and strains.
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