Companies such as Revert NYC are spearheading the trend by cultivating small-batch cannabis flowers outdoors using natural sunlight of New York instead of grow lights. Our woman- and minority-owned sustainable farm demonstrates how sun-grown cannabis in New York can be cultivated sustainably and economically. In this blog, we explain the difference between the two types of cultivation.
Why Is Sun-Grown Cannabis Unique?
Sun-grown cannabis is produced outdoor with natural light, climate, and living soil instead of indoor lighting and air systems. The plant grows at its natural pace while absorbing nutrients from a soil system that gets better with each harvest. This natural process often results in a better terpene profile of a flower, which is why sunflower buds usually have a more complex aroma and flavor compared to indoor plants.
Moreover, it has a smaller carbon footprint. Outdoor farms do not require huge amounts of energy to run lighting and climate control all day and night. It is increasingly important as New York cannabis buyers pay more attention to how the product was grown each year. In addition, the sun-growing process is cheaper for farmers, which often results in a more affordable price for customers.
What Makes Indoor Cannabis Special?
By having complete control over climate and lighting, indoor cannabis can result in visually flawless and very dense buds. Since all factors are controlled and there are no environmental factors that may affect buds, indoor cannabis looks consistent and sometimes displays more trichomes due to artificial lighting. It is a significant advantage for consumers who are looking for a certain level of aesthetic quality in buds.
However, growing indoor cannabis in New York comes at a high cost. Lighting, air conditioning, and electricity are expensive, and this price is always passed on to the consumer. Moreover, indoor growing allows cannabis to rely on a smaller amount of inputs that are used during the growing process. This makes the final product less flavorful than cannabis grown outdoors.
Difference at a Glance
Below is a comparison of both growth methods for customers buying cannabis in NYC this season:
- Growth environment: Outdoor farms require sunlight and natural soil; indoor farms require artificial light and controlled environments.
- Taste and smell: The flavor profile of flower grown in the sun tends to be more complex with regards to terpenes, while indoor flower can be somewhat lacking.
- Cost of production: Energy costs tend to be lower in outdoor farms, resulting in lower prices for the customer.
- Effect on environment: Sun-grown farms use much less energy and water resources compared to indoor farms.
- Visual differences: Flowers grown indoors appear more uniform compared to sun-grown flowers.
Why Are More New Yorkers Opting for Sun Grown Flower?
The price and transparency of products are playing significant roles in this regard. As the number of dispensaries increases in the state, consumers are comparing labels as they would do in a farmer’s market, and now premium cannabis in New York does not have to be expensive. Small farms can produce the sun-grown flower, and thus, there is no need to spend money on artificial light every month.
Moreover, the cultural shift is contributing to this change as well. New Yorkers want to understand who grew their ground cannabis in NYC and how. The brands that are based on sustainable farming are satisfying this requirement.
What to Look For in New York City Cannabis Flower
Before you reach for the first jar off the shelf, here is what you can expect from a truly great vs an ordinary batch of NYC cannabis flower:
- Terpene aroma: A potent and distinctive odor will indicate fresher processing and higher-quality genetics.
- Bud trimming: By-hand-trimmed bud is generally more clean-burning than machine-trimmed.
- Testing lab results (COAs): Always make sure to verify potency and testing before purchase.
- Harvest date: The fresher the flower, the more flavorful and effective it is.
- Growing practices transparency: Companies that show how they grow cannabis can be trusted for quality.
Where Do You Find Trustworthy Cannabis in the City?
Every shelf in the city contains the same level of quality, so it's important to know which of the cannabis dispensaries in NYC offer you flowers that were grown outdoors and lab-tested. Instead of looking at the menus of different cannabis dispensary shops in New York, it is best to use the website where the brand has a dedicated "find me" page, such as the one offered by Revert NYC.
The farmers' market has proven to be a surprising way into the world of New York cannabis for new buyers. The fact that you get to meet the people who grow the plants and smell the flowers before purchasing them makes for a great level of trust.
Why Sun-Grown Is Taking Over New York
While there is still room for indoor cannabis for consumers seeking consistent buds and batches, the trend in this city is decidedly shifting towards the options of sun-grown cannabis in New York. Notable advantages such as better taste, less harm to the environment, and better prices cannot be ignored, and more and more New Yorkers prove this by their monthly purchases.
Revert NYC is precisely the kind of company leading this shift with its sun-grown, small-batch flower cultivated upstate and delivered back to the city with utmost transparency and quality ensured via testing. A women- and minority-owned farm shows that indoor cannabis is not the only option for consumers looking for consistency, and a commitment to ethical, sustainable farming practices is increasingly becoming exactly what consumers want from the industry.
Find out more about current drops of Revert NYC or locate one near you at revertnyc.com.
FAQs:
Does sun-grown marijuana have a different taste to indoor flowers?
Yes, sun-grown marijuana is perceived by many users as having a more complex terpene profile due to its long cultivation process involving changes in natural lighting and soil. This additional complexity is usually detected immediately after grinding the flower.
Is sun-grown cannabis less potent than indoor cannabis?
It is not true. The level of THC and terpenes depends on genetics, curing, and harvesting time, but not on the growth method. Well-cured outdoor cannabis could beat a poorly cured indoor one when it comes to potency and performance.
Why is sun-grown flower often cheaper than indoor flower?
Sun-grown marijuana growers do not spend money on expensive energy and climatic control systems, which allows them to sell it for a lower price. They can afford to spend more money on quality soil and curing because of reduced overhead expenses.
How do I know if the dispensary is selling outdoor-grown flower?
Check the label or look at the lab results for the growing method, or ask the budtender because the labels in New York must include this detail. It's always best when the product line indicates the specific farm and where it was grown.
Is outdoor cannabis grown better for the environment than indoor cannabis?
Yes, generally. Outdoor growing consumes less electricity and does not use as much infrastructure compared to indoor growing that requires lighting and ventilation systems. Regenerative outdoor farms create more fertile soil for the benefit of the surrounding area.