Highlights cultivator’s commitment to improving the industry through transparency, education and partnership
OG Yields, one of Missouri’s fastest-growing licensed medical marijuana companies, welcomed the state’s Medical Marijuana Director Lyndall Fraker and his team of Regulators, for an exclusive “behind-the-grow” facility tour and Q&A session last Wednesday, June 2nd.
Situated in the Ozark Mountains in scenic rural Maries County, the visit supports the company’s commitment to ongoing cannabis education and training, as well as an opportunity to discuss the regulatory and policy impact on Missouri’s operators, patients and communities.
“We appreciated the opportunity to visit this state-of-the-art cultivation facility that is sure to bring positive economic impact within a small mid-Missouri community,” said Lyndall Fraker, Director of the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation. “It is rewarding when we get to personally see the Missourians who are helping to carry out this program for patients – part of one of Missouri’s newest industries – with great integrity.”
The 40,000 sq. feet facility is one of the most-efficient climate controlled cannabis cultivation facilities in the country. It features LED lights, a central fertigation system, cannabis-specific HVAC units and most notably, diffused glass. The modern, sealed glass greenhouse utilizes diffused glass opposed to polycarbonate for greater light transmission and limited shadowing to provide plants full-spectrum light from the sun that science has yet been able to mimic. The result yields plants with increased overall complexity, THC and terpene levels.
According to OG Yields’ CEO Nick Rinella, hosting the department was met with excitement, not stress. “Our priority right now is taking care of Missouri’s patients and the community we are blessed to call home. With the many unforeseen challenges brought on by COVID-19, we are working diligently to meet the demands of regulators, support our local economy and best serve our customers. The department’s visit was a great way to connect about the ever-changing environment, as well as an opportunity for them to meet the amazing people at the heart of our operation.”
“As a seasoned cannabis operator and beverage distributor, I understand the tremendous pressures faced by today’s licensees who are dealing with compressed margins due to supply chain issues, rising compliance costs and a new breed of competitors,” added Rinella. “This latest example of partnership underscores the state’s willingness to dialogue with licensees. As an industry, let’s work together to create efficiencies and lower the cost of the compliance process. We can shift our valuable resources to revenue-generating functions.”
Missouri’s medical marijuana program passed a significant milestone in May 2021, with more than 100,000 active patients and caregivers approved to use and purchase medical cannabis. The state plans to authorize a total of 192 dispensaries statewide. Missouri patients will have greater access than in each of the other 19 states with similar legalization programs, behind only Oklahoma.
The state’s visit comes shortly after the company announced appointing brand expert and tech co-founder Lindsay Lockhart as Director of Brand and Retail, where she oversees the marketing, digital and brand-building effort of OG Yields.
To learn more, visit ogyields.com.
About OG Yields
OG Yields is a fully licensed vertically integrated “seed-to-sale” medical marijuana company in the State of Missouri. Their award-winning cultivation team is committed to sourcing the best genetics and meticulously cultivates their crops in a state-of-the-art glass roof greenhouse. All of its products are produced in-house and distributed to dispensaries throughout the state.
Nick Rinella, CEO of OG Yields and former COO of Verdant Distribution in Los Angeles, CA, is an expert in both alcoholic beverage and cannabis product development, distribution and regulation. Rinella’s expertise stems from being a 5th generation beverage distributor spending nearly a decade as the Vice President of Rinella Company, Inc., an independent beverage distributor with notable suppliers like Anheuser-Busch, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Nestle USA, Bronco Wine Company, Sazerac Company and many more.
Rinella actively serves on Missouri’s Amendment 2 Drafting Committee as well as the MoCannTrade Cultivation Subcommittee. He formerly sat on the board of The Policy Committee for the California Distributors Association, Transitions of Western IL, The Associated Beer Distributors of IL and The Great River Economic Council.