With the passage of Proposition 64, California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act, the state adopted sweeping regulations that opened the door to a legal cannabis industry in the state [of California]. One of the key elements of Proposition 64 that affects those in the cannabis industry is that every municipality, city, and county in the state has a differing set of rules and regulations stating how, where, and when legal cannabis business can operate. The bill was crafted in this fashion so legislators could get Proposition 64 passed in a way that would reduce the possibility of dealing with future litigation. 

The results of passing legalization in this manner is it creates an environment where potential operators have to be keenly aware of their local regulations, in addition to those set by state governing agencies. This differentiation in rules becomes a defacto threshold to entry, where you must know and understand the rules and application processes of nearly a half-dozen different agencies between the state and local levels.

To meet the criteria set by the agencies, you’ll most likely be required to file an RFP or Request For Proposal that outlines your business and contains key information that is required by decision makers. These criteria apply to nearly all aspects of the cannabis industry, including (but not limited to):

• Indoor/Outdoor Cultivation
• Distribution
• Manufacturing
• Testing Labs

Meeting these requirements is of utmost importance in acquiring your local and state level permits and licensure. 

Greenroad has been helping entrepreneurs and businesses navigate this realm of requirements since the passage of Proposition 64 and has a 100% win rate on RFPs submitted on behalf of clients. If you are thinking of launching a business in the cannabis industry, please contact us for a free consultation.

Water quality standards are a hot ticket item that agricultural operators have been aware of and dealing with in California for years, but they can catch new legal cannabis operators off-guard if they aren’t prepared. Today, we wanted to offer some information on the agencies that police water quality standards, and why it is important to not run afoul of these regulations.

The regulating bodies in California are keenly focused on water quality. The two main agencies that are in charge of regulating water quality standards are the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their primary concern is based on the cleanliness of every drop of water that falls from the sky as rain and then travels across some surface. During the transportation of water, it may or may not pick up contaminants as it moves across the land and into streams, lakes, and aquifers. The term contaminants does not just apply to chemicals but also applies to silt, dust, organisms, and any other material that can be transported by water shed.  These are environmental quality requirements that are watched very carefully, and as a cannabis cultivator, need to be managed and addressed early on with best management practices. Both the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife require an action plan as a part of your Request For Proposal before being granted a license or permit, and may request updated plans at any time once you are in operation based on changing standards and goals of these agencies.

The more complex issue is the expansion of the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s jurisdiction in an area where they previously weren’t heavily involved. Traditionally when it comes to agriculture, the Department of Fish and Wildlife has had somewhat of a hands-off approach. In cannabis; however, no matter if you have an indoor or outdoor cultivation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife is involved in a much greater level than in the past. There are several areas where clients can run afoul of this agency, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife has a very low tolerance level for what they will and will not allow. 

Water quality is something to remain cognizant of, as it can quickly and effectively shut down your business. Violating water quality rules comes with very steep penalties, starting with fines that can cost thousands of dollars. If not addressed and resolved in a timely and proper manner, the penalties can lead to a revocation of licensure, preventing any further business from being conducted. As a cannabis operator in California, your licensure needs to be protected at all costs and that is what Greenroad brings to the table as a company that works with these agencies on a regular basis. 

Whether you are just starting on your RFP, or you are a permitted and/or licensed cannabis business in the state of California, we can assist you in ensuring that your company maintains all expected quality standards and continues to operate in California’s legal cannabis industry. 

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Entering the cannabis space in California as a business opportunity is not always as straightforward a process as one may think. Depending on the type of business and location, many of the individual cities and counties are limiting the locations where cannabis businesses can exist, and limiting the number of cannabis businesses in their locality. Due to this limiting, obtaining approval for a new cannabis business in California is often an extremely competitive process.

To start things off, the local municipality in charge of regulating new cannabis businesses will advertise an RFP – the acronym for Request For Proposal. With the posting of the request for proposal the agency is posing the question “who is the best candidate for this location?” Prospective business candidates will then need to put together a comprehensive document that contains information such as your business proforma, qualifications of the individuals who are involved with the business, along with detailed information about the location you have selected for your cannabis business. This process allows the local municipality and regulating agencies to weigh their options among what is often an extremely large field of business prospects competing for the same opportunity.

When it comes to information about a potential location for your business, the regulatory agencies are most interested in identifying modifications you need to make to the building, such as security provisions, operational provisions and what you will be doing to mitigate any potential issues that arise. One of the key elements that regulatory agencies are keen on is odor mitigation, especially if you are involved in cultivation or manufacturing.

Putting together the most comprehensive RFP package that meets the requirements of what the agency is looking for and demonstrating that you are the best candidate, is the only way you are going to be considered for that particular opportunity. 

Thus far, Greenroad has a 100% success rate in all of the competitions we have performed in. We produce professional and thorough technically focused presentations that showcase exactly what that particular location has to offer and how that applicant best meets those requirements that the public agency is looking for. We focus our efforts by leveraging our 40 years of experience in land use, planning, architectural design, general construction, and a deep understanding of California’s constantly evolving and complex laws and regulations in the cannabis industry to win your RFP competition. 

If you are considering entering an RFP competition, or have already begun working on your RFP and think you may need a helping hand, contact us for a free consultation.

The RFP (Request for Proposal) is a complex request for information and it is typically something that applicants pull together from numerous sources such as their CPA, Architect, and other hired professionals to showcase the layout of the building and/or the property, and business plan for the proposed company/service in question. 

An RFP needs to be a professionally desktop-published document that often contains your business plan, architectural drawings for any building, planning and land use data, and potentially even more information as this may be different in each locality/municipality in California based on local regulations. The RFP is not a simple form where you just check the boxes like you would for most applications with many government agencies. 

The governing bodies are looking for the ideal business partner who has the wherewithal to meet all state and local requirements and best demonstrates an ability, as a new business coming into the community capable of a level of presentation that is in continuity with that particular community.

The Eden growhouse. Winning RFP completed by Greenroad, a division of ADS Corporation.

The RFP helps the local authorities who are in charge of reviewing and approving applications to better understand the different business options being presented. Items of particular interest to these governing bodies include:

• Where will the business or operation be located.
• How well the business fit into the community.
• Is the proposed structure aesthetically pleasing and does it meet all building code requirements.

Submitting an RFP that is not professionally assembled has a very low chance of winning approval compared to a proposal that is thoughtfully and carefully assembled, putting the business’ best foot forward by working with an experienced professional organization.  

By working with experienced professionals, you are showcasing to the regulating bodies that you are the best business operator, and are demonstrating that by offering a top-quality first impression.  

A State Registered Architect of Record is the lead advocate, representative and responsible professional for the design, engineering, and processing of a Commercial Project. The Architect will prepare or have prepared, and process all required legal documents for governmental Use and Building Permit approvals. The ARchitect is the design team leader and coordinates and oversees all other professional disciplines required in the design, engineering and processing of the project. The architect will remain responsible for all construction document interpreation, clarification and approved changes during the construction of the project and insure that the work of improvement complies with the intent of the approved construction documents through project completion. 

A State Licensed General Contractor is the leader of the construction team. The General Contractor is responsible for all aspects of the scheduling, coordination, code compliance and means and methods of construction of the project. The General Contractor is responsible for the selection, coordination and approval of all Licensed Sub-Contractors and their work on the project. The General Contractor is responsible for assuring the project materials and fabrication follow the specifications fo the approved construction documents. The General Contractor will make no changes to the approved construction documents without the prior approval of the Architect of Record.  

Green Road is a division of Associated Development Services Corporation, providing all the services noted above. Our professional staff has been pursuing and perfecting energy efficient design since 1979 we we succesffully designed and constructed our first passive solar “envelope home” which maintained requisite thermal conditions without the use of mechanical appliances. Our experience in passive solar design and the technological advancements introduced to the industry allow our energy effecient structures to be practical and cost-effective.