AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT HOUWELING'S NURSERIES

Delta, British Columbia, Canada-based Houweling’s Nurseries, an operator of year-round, sustainable greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers production, has announced that it will cease operations at its 125 acre Camarillo, California greenhouse facility and laying off 486 workers between August 8, 2021, and September 30, 2021.

The facility is being sold to a new owner. That buyer is Glass House Brands, a Carpinteria, California-based company that is one of the largest owners of cannabis farms and dispensaries in California.

According to Graham Farrar, president, and chief cannabis officer of Glass House Brands, “greenhouse facility will be a cannabis and vegetable farm hybrid with about 40 acres of the farm dedicated to cannabis, and the remaining 80 acres will grow tomatoes and other vegetables.”

Houweling’s is known for its highly automated, scientifically managed production systems, hydroponic growing technology, and its efficient use of water and energy. Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that a highly automated, technologically sophisticated grower of tomatoes would repurpose its facilities to growing cannabis.

The 2.2 million square foot Houweling seedling and greenhouse operation in Delta, British Columbia, Canada made the switch to grower-ready cannabis seedlings.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

LAYOFFS: NO LOVE AT MEDMEN

Culver City, California-based MedMen Enterprises, a large cannabis retailer, has announced a restructuring plan that is specifically targeted at generating an operating profit by the end of 2020. Unfortunately, the company’s cost cutting initiative will result in a reduction in force of 190 employees, selling “non-core” assets, delaying expansion opportunities. Approximately twenty-percent of the layoffs will be at the corporate level with the remainder being in retail operations.

According to MedMen CEO Adam Bierman, We have a clear plan to increase our market share, while at the same time enhancing our margins and reducing our corporate overhead. We must unlock our operating leverage and bring the company to positive EBITDA. We believe this decision is in the best interest of our company as we position ourselves for growth in the years ahead.”

While one might consider initiatives to reduce or eliminate restrictions on selling marijuana and other cannabis-related products as a positive force, the opportunity is counterbalanced by greedy politicians , restrictions on retail locations, crippling tax policies, banking restrictions, and worst of all – an underground marketplace fueled by a surplus of product and sold by independent entrepreneurs (aka criminals) who have few overhead costs.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?