Visiting a Colorado Medical Grow

by Jeremy Norrie

The medical marijuana scene is growing all over the world, but possibly the place where it is growing the most is in Colorado.

I was invited to Denver and got to take a peek at what was described to me as an 85,000 SQ FT 600,000 WATT growing warehouse of absolutely massive proportions.

I have got to tell you, it was everything they said it was. This is one huge pot-growing monstrosity, with all kinds of things going on.

We got a deep look inside the workings of the place and we even have a small interview with one of the owners.

First let me tell you what I experienced.

I came inside of what I thought was going to be a semi-reasonable size place to grow pot, but what I found was a warehouse of such huge size, I felt like a small city could be built inside it.

They had a clone list of what looked like a thousand strains, and when I entered the first room, all I could see was babies. I have no idea how many thousands of plants they must have in this place, and they even have a variety of growing techniques.

They were using soil in some cases, but in other areas they were using rock wool and still others they had clay.

All kinds of strains and mediums are being used here, and the result is absolutely heavenly marijuana. Don’t take my word for it; let’s talk to one of the guys behind it all.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today. Can you tell me a little bit about how you got start-ed in the medical marijuana industry and how you ended up in Colorado?

Pete: I’ve had a passion for cannabis as a medicine since I was 17 because I saw how it helped my uncle with AIDS to sleep and with his appetite. After college, I found myself in Oakland and made an appointment with Dr. Frank Iucido in Berkeley. We discussed treatment for my patella realignment surgery I had in ’97, and I told him I was a cannabis smoker and it had helped with the pain. I was the 14,000th card holder in Oakland’s OCBC system in 2002; I’ve had my recommendation ever since and believe in the healing properties of cannabis. After years of home-growing medical grade cannabis for mmc’s, I saw Colorado as an opportunity to help more people who need medicinal cannabis.

How and why is Colorado such a great place for medical marijuana?

Pete: The MMJ law is a part of the Colorado constitution and is very strong protecting the patients and the growers. The state has a department that is staffed to regulate and control the industry, and to create a model that’s being adopted by other states. This affords us a unique level of protection.

Can you tell me the story about how Broadway Wellness was started and how you ended up work-ing in this massive warehouse?

Pete: Having many years of growing experience, I set out to grow a variety of top-quality flowers. Keeping a micro approach but applying it to a commercial-sized warehouse is a huge task. While we were hunting for a grow space, we lucked into this one, but having experienced managers and detail-oriented staff members is key. It hasn’t all been easy, and we have had our share of drama. People in the company share a passion for the amazing properties of cannabis and understand its value. Surround yourself with good people and good things will happen. People feel the momentum and want to be a part of it.

What amazing things have you experienced working with the warehouse facility?

Pete: To be honest, just to be involved in such an enter-prise is amazing. Using forklifts to move flood tables across a warehouse bigger than Costco never gets boring. The crew makes it what it is. Organization and prepara-tion are your friends, and keeping a firm grasp on priori-ties each and every day is critical. Creating a team where everyone can be counted on keeps things manageable. Being surrounded by family and friends who all contribute to the success of our company is the most amazing thing about it.

Do you have anything coming up in the future that you can tell our readers about?

Pete: Since we opened, we have won five different awards for our concentrate company, Essential Extracts, and hope to continue with the High Times cannabis awards in April. Our seed division, Missing Link Genetics, has a full line of new strains debuting in the spring. Last but not least, we have created a very large DWC hydro bucket to suit our very large space requirements called the Brutus Maximus.

Thanks again for talking with us; it was really great of you to take the time out of your busy schedule. I think all of our readers are going to be blown away by what you are doing out there in Colorado. I wish you well and look for-ward to my next visit. Lastly, congratulations also on win-ning the second place prize for flower (Blue Dream 26%THC) and the first place for concentrates (Purple Ernie Oil 79% Cannibinoids) at the Kush Con.

Make sure you all catch up with us again next time. I hope you will be able to use this article to educate yourself a little more about the scene in Colorado and what is going on out there. Maybe you have been thinking about moving and maybe getting involved in the medical marijuana scene that is erupting out there. Think about it, but enjoy it if you can; next issue, we will talk about more cannabis-related news.

Don’t forget to check out www.FutureofFighting.com to bet on fights and get the latest news about UFC and Mixed Martial Arts, also www.RLDDVD.com for the very best DVD about Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

Take it easy, have fun, don’t believe the hype, and find what works for you. Good luck.