Vertical Enterprise focusing on environment, state business

Applicant Vertical Enterprise has applied to grow, process, and sell medical marijuana in St. Joseph, hoping to offer the “best strains, ever.”

Focusing on genetics, Vertical Enterprise is focusing on the environment, not only by creating their ideal indoor grow operations but by being environmentally conscious as far as land use and resources.

“According to everyone I have talked to, they are going to have the best strains, ever, which will be superior to all others,” Christopher McHugh said on behalf of Vertical Enterprise. “Of course we are focused on genetics. But given the – I would say unique – morphology of the Cannabis plant, and its habit of reacting dramatically to the smallest environmental inputs, we are more focused on the environment. This is part of the reason we believe there is a place for indoor craft or artisanal-style cultivations. Genetics are a good start, but they don’t get you even close to the finish line.”

Vertical Enterprise’s director of cultivation, Michael Drayer, has over 10 years of experience running operations on both coasts, from small organic urban farms in food desserts in Little Cambodia to large, 100,000 sq. ft. cultivation centers.

The company hopes to do things differently by focusing on energy efficiency and organic processes.

“There is no reason in our minds that indoor cultivation in Missouri needs to be limited to mass-production in energy ravenous facilities that are purpose-built when there is plenty of old, empty warehouse space that can be converted into a relatively efficient craft or artisanal, small-batch, organic operation,” McHugh said.

The product distribution will not be limited to their own dispensary, and McHugh says the company’s motto is “we’re here to make friends.”

“We want to work with as many people as possible to get the best quality product in the hands of patients, but do it in a thoughtful way, with attention to the environment and community.”

   

In addition to prioritizing energy efficiency, Vertical Enterprises plans to use LED lights, gas-powered air conditioning, and organic pest and disease control.

McHugh said Amendment 2, now Article XIV provides a strong backbone for the emerging industry they hope to enter.

“We’re starting with a solid constitutional and regulatory framework that was developed with lessons learned in other states. And we’re popular!” McHugh said. “Amendment 2 passed with 67 percent of the vote, receiving more votes than any candidate. We’ll have our challenges as any new industry would, but this thing is only moving in one direction and that is up.”

Despite popularity and a strong framework, McHugh said Vertical Enterprises is cautious of lessons learned in other states’ markets.

“There are so many regulatory problems that can pop up even with a good governmental agency at the helm,” McHugh said. “We’ve seen time and again a regulatory problem or mistake cause other markets to completely stall out. We are not immune to that type of thing. My hope is we can rise to the vision set out in Amendment 2, creation of a robust industry supplying the highest quality products to Missouri residents who want and need them.”

But, overall, McHugh said that Vertical Enterprises’ frustration has not been the application or investors or anything else – but the out-of-state mentality.

“What others might see as challenges, we view as opportunities to compete,” McHugh said. “If you are better at pitching to investors or compiling application answers than we are, then more power to you, and vis versa. The biggest frustration we run into is the attitude many west coast industry participants have towards the Missouri market. They are focused on interstate trade and see Missouri as sort of an emerging consumer market for their products instead of someplace worthy of investment. We disagree and would love to prove them wrong.”