Snowbelt Cannabis Aims to End the Stigma
Snowbelt Cannabis Aims to End the Stigma
Woman-owned cannabis cultivation company creating momentum in Jamestown, NY
For thousands of years, the hemp plant has been used in societies all over the world for everything from clothing, to paper, to medicine, to fuel. In 1942, Henry Ford even built an experimental car out of hemp fiber, which he found to be stronger than steel! A commonly misunderstood and stereotyped plant, hemp is as versatile as it is sustainable, for it produces far less waste than other materials, such as cotton and polyester. In fact, a 1916 USDA study revealed that hemp produces four times more paper per acre than trees.
“It’s really eye-opening to learn about the history behind this plant,” said Ashley Baron, CEO of Snowbelt Cannabis in Jamestown, NY. “During World War II, farmers and family gardeners were encouraged to participate in the ‘Hemp for Victory’ program to create raw material for ropes for the U.S. Navy!” Hemp, once one of the most in-demand agricultural commodities, is once again being recognized for its many uses and benefits, and Baron is looking forward to being a cannabis cultivator under New York State’s new licensing.
“As soon as New York legalized recreational marijuana last March, we started working on our business plan,” said Baron. She and Cultivation Manager Ryan Peterson also own the BioDome Project, an indoor gardening facility that designs and builds hydroponic and aquaponic systems for growing food indoors and sells their premium hydroponic herbs and leafy greens to the public and local restaurants.
Since last May, Baron and Peterson have worked closely with the city of Jamestown and Mayor Eddie Sundquist to create a sustainable plan that opens the door for other ancillary cannabis businesses, such as packaging, laboratories and testing facilities, HVAC suppliers, and more, to open in Jamestown. “We’re constantly working with and in communication with our city officials and other prospective cannabis businesses in Jamestown to make sure we're all up-to-date, are able to help each other, and make those connections between us growers and those who want to open dispensaries or other related businesses,” said Baron. “We're lucky that our city officials are so involved and proactive. It's actually pretty rare to see a municipality so supportive of the industry and helping its local businesses to get there.”
Currently, only conditional licenses have been issued so far for the adult-use cannabis market. These are provisional licenses that were created to get the ball rolling in the state and come with pre-requisites and limitations. “We are still waiting for all of the laws, regulations, and general licensing applications to be established. We will be aiming for a roughly 10,000 square foot cultivation license when general licensing takes place. The way New York has set it up, if you are looking to cultivate, you cannot own a dispensary and vice versa, unless you shoot for the microbusiness license. So, we will grow, package and wholesale our products to a dispensary near you in 2023” Baron explained. “Our city officials have been so supportive and linked us up with the landlord and building we’re currently in. We’re leasing 5,000 square feet for now, and eventually, we’ll be operating at around 15,000 square feet when we are fully up and running.”
The conditional licenses that have been issued have many social equity terms behind them, which Baron applauds. “Hemp farmers took a really big hit, and New York is one of the first states to give the first opportunity to distressed hemp farmers to be able to grow cannabis,” Baron explained. “Conditional licenses for dispensaries will be given to those who have had marijuana convictions in the past.” The goal is to provide opportunities to people who have been affected by the war on drugs born in the 1970s when the Controlled Substances Act classified hemp as an illegal Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs are considered to have no medicinal value and the most potential for abuse. Just for reference, cocaine and meth are Schedule II. Baron is continually researching the medicinal uses of cannabis and sharing this knowledge with the community to help end the stigma. “Cannabis hemp has been shown to alleviate epileptic seizures in children. It helps with nausea and lack of appetite that go along with chemotherapy. A lot of people experience some form of insomnia, and it can help with that too.” Baron has also known many individuals who suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic-stress disorder to find effective treatment through cannabis products.
While the timeline from the state has pushed out for entrepreneurs like Baron to receive her license, she is optimistic and hard at work preparing her facility. “Right now, we’re doing mushroom cultivation - Oysters, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane - and some micro tomatoes and basil under Snowbelt Gardens. This is helping us better prepare our space, and we’re all about supporting the community with healthy foods!” In June, Snowbelt Cannabis received its Hemp Cultivation License in order to grow high-quality CBD and CBG for medicinal use. The hemp flower will be available at the BioDome Project and a few other local businesses for now.
Once Baron receives her license and begins her cultivation operation, she is planning to grow up to 16 different strains of cannabis using as few pesticides as possible, LED lighting, and efficient watering practices. Snowbelt Cannabis will then serve as a wholesaler to area dispensaries. Baron’s business is continuing to grow, and she is pleased to welcome a new female investor.
It’s possible to support Snowbelt Cannabis now as they await their licensing. Visit the BioDome Project to enjoy the produce and microgreens that Snowbelt is currently growing or visit www.snowbeltcannabis.com to invest in this local women-owned business. Through Mainvest, a crowd investment platform integrated in the website, individuals can invest as little as $100 and get a 1.8 times return on their money in four years. “Mainvest is a great opportunity to get the community involved and we’d rather give our money to them rather than large financial lenders.”
“Our goal is to help educate the public, break the stigma of the plant and provide people with a high-quality and product,” Baron explained. “We want to invest in our city because we care about what happens in our community and the people around us. We’ll be growing a safe, sustainable product and are hoping to be that brand with a story and a mission of giving back.”
To learn more, visit www.snowbeltcannabis.com and follow them on social media.