Is Florida Farming Going To Pot? [Opinion]

It’s hard to imagine anyone in my generation who wouldn’t be familiar with the children’s book “Charlotte’s Web.” The cleverly spun tale is a classic filled with lessons learned about life and death on a farm as told through the perspective of a lonely pig and its eight-legged pen pal. Today, the mention of “Charlotte’s Web” comes with an entirely different meaning — especially here in Florida. Simply enter the words into Google and all the related search results have nothing to do with the 1952 book, but instead the strain of medical marijuana by the same name and the bill recently approved by the Florida legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott for its limited use. This is quite a huge step into unfamiliar territory. Carrying a low THC count, the plant’s extract can be used to treat patients suffering from epileptic seizures and related conditions without the euphoric effect.

The heavily regulated production side of the trade would only be open to a handful of growers (literally) boasting bales of hort experience and enough cred to fill a greenhouse. For specialty crop producers of all types around the state, this unexpected development had to intrigue those considering the addition of an alternative crop to his or her respective lineup. Unlike any other crop though, the pitfalls surrounding medical marijuana cultivation are plentiful, but so is the potential payday.

Highs And Lows

It might be a hard pill for some to swallow, but the demand for this product is high (pun intended). While the bill is uber specific in applicable use, there is a multitude of research and various medical claims voicing viability of using medical marijuana to ease symptoms for numerous ailments, diseases, and disorders such as glaucoma, depression, Alzheimer’s, autism, multiple sclerosis, nausea, etc. So, with the prospect of another vote on the November ballot that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida beyond Charlotte’s Web, the pot could grow in opportunity for interested, qualified farmers — provided some of the criteria (30+ years of continuous business and 400,000 plant inventory) is reconsidered.
This is a cash crop, no doubt. But at what price?

Lots Of Green And Red

For those in agriculture, life and death on a farm revolves around pests, disease, and a bottom line flirting with critical condition. Government regulations certainly contribute to the pain, but it’s all relative. The privilege of being one of the chosen growers willing to weave Charlotte’s Web comes with a burden all its own. When I asked Ben Bolusky, executive VP/CEO of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association, about why a qualified grower wouldn’t want to engage in this endeavor, he rattled off several logical reasons to just say no. Conversely, he pointed out the pros of sparking new business opportunities and growing a product for the benefit of others who are suffering. Kinda hard to argue with that. Click here to read the Q&A.
Times are changing. This isn’t about peace, love, and hippies. It’s about wants, needs, and possibilities. So, if you had the chance, would you take it or pass? Don’t worry. No peer pressure.