Question about how dispensaries acquire their bud.

[evanescence]

That's awesome, though I'm still unsure how I would go about becoming a "legal grower". There seems to be a number of laws that are extremely difficult to interpret. All the complications make it more of a hassle than it's worth, in my opinion. This thread is very informative. I had the exact same question after reading about the dispensaries in California. Thanks..

[EpilepticWiz]

there is no "legal grower", state=ok / federal=no . As long as you obey the requirements under Sb420--H&S code--Comp Act'96.. then again, its still a 50/50 thing that makes no sense.

[BlackThumb]

Looking through some of the Co. requirements for Co-ops/dispensaries while acting as a grow supplier rather than the co-op itself, and there are several good sources for info including the Dept. of Health link already given, and the sensiblecolorado.org link, among others.
Basically the Co-op is supplied a patient list from the state registry. They have their own application/paperwork process to go through to get state approved.
A patient has the right to claim no one, the Co-op, or an individual as their Caregiver. As a grower, you can have 5 patients, each having 6 plants, three of which can be 'flowering'. So 30 plants total with 15 in flower for your 5 patients, (actually the text reads "the DoH MAY deny a grower designation to one already having 5 patients", not sure if they actually are as the supply in this early stage of the Co. law is way, way short of demand. Some are actually running the risk of trucking in from other points at this stage just to meet minimum supply demands.

I have been researching this in earnest for a couple of weeks now as half of my house is boxed and ready to pack since I plan on going somewhere.
I can get this technical stuff online, but would love to hear from some actual folk performing these duties in Co. as still have many practical questions.

Basically the grower is acting as a Sub-contract supplier to the Co-ops, raising the question to me of what business form they operate under. Obviously expenses such as hardware, nutes, electricity and such are business expenses which would normally be deductable on federal returns under most business models and offset some profits. I don't think you should name it "Weed Supplier Inc." or anything, as you are still only protected by Co. state laws and not Federal, so no need to turn yourself in on a tax return for a scheduled raid.
The other big question I have is what price the Co-op will pay per finished, dryed & cured lb. Do they vary with strains or fixed price? Many designate 'organic grow only' so there are several practical questions to be answered if trying to create your own business model. On the other hand if the $ is right, I'm equally sure there are guys with 200 plant grow rooms not claiming crap on any return in any business models and have no designated patients. I know several Co-ops will contribute lights, trays and other equipment if you commit to grow for them only which could eliminate some of this aspect.

Again, would love some actual detail from a Co-op or such. I can pack the other half and head up within 30 days. By the way, real estate prices in the area I've been searching are better than reasonable, and there are only 3 Co-ops trying to feed an impossible patient list.