A local medical marijuana advocate says the area’s agriculture industry could receive a boost if farmers were allowed to grow cannabis.
Last summer, Montezuma County commissioners voted to prohibit licensed commercial grow operations, but one man is hopeful local officials will reconsider. Representing the Colorado Plateau Growers Association, Lu Nettleton recently released the group’s first field and seed trials report for commercial marijuana, which reveals that cannabis could be an economic boon.
Contained in the report, conservative estimates reveal that farmers could potentially generate $500,000 in sales per acre if allowed to grow and harvest medical marijuana. Broader estimates show total sells could near $2.5 million per acre.
“We can grow cannabis and sell it cheaper than the medical dispensaries,” said Nettleton, “and we believe we should be able to legally compete with all producers.”
According to one law enforcement official, monitoring outdoor marijuana grow operations could cost the county $90,000 annually, but commissioner Keenan Ertel voted last summer to prohibit the measure.
“I have discomfort with (legalizing) a mind-altering drug,” he said at the time. “This was handed down from the Eastern Slope. Our county voted against it.”
It’s unknown if commissioners intend to re-address the issue, but Nettleton remains optimistic. In addition to potential profits, he argues that commercial marijuana grow operations could also create needed, high-paying jobs.
“Currently, there is a state-imposed monopoly that is keeping traditional farmers out of the cannabis market, except at the lowest level,” said Nettleton. “We can change that.”
Through a series of blind trials, Nettleton also maintains that the association’s outdoor grown medical marijuana was equal or superior to all indoor grown strains at dispensaries in Cortez, Durango and Telluride.
“These trials prove the validity of our claims that this region is uniquely positioned to grow an entire range of very high-quality cannabis,” said Nettleton.
The report indicates that five member growers were provided 500 non-genetically modified seeds. With a 95 percent germination rate, the outdoor grown plants numbered 400 per acre. After a 110- to a 130-day growing season, each plant produced an average of 1.5 pounds of marijuana.
To join or for more information on the Colorado Plateau Growers Association, call attorney Mark Reider at (970) 310-6977.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com