Colorado was the first regulated cannabis market and provided a testing ground to show the world how an industry emerging from illicit times could shine. It demonstrated not only the relief and wellness cannabis could provide to consumers but also the profitable opportunities available to those willing to roll up their sleeves and jump on the wagon. Following Colorado came California, which brought a legacy culture that shaped the cannabis industry as we know it today.
When a grower experiences both of these markets firsthand and then transitions to a new, nascent one, they may feel the same kind of shock a young plant experiences when transplanted into a new environment. This is exactly what happened to Jarad Ratcliff. With a background in two of the most important and established cannabis markets, he decided to bring his expertise to Australia in 2018. At that time, the medical cannabis market there was just beginning to take shape.
"When I first got there, it was a shock. The culture and the industry were basically nonexistent. They were at least 10 years behind the U.S. I remember thinking, 'What have I done?'" he says with a chuckle.
From established to nascent
In Colorado, Jarad was present when recreational cannabis became legal. In California, he witnessed the transition from medical to recreational use. But Australia posed a very different challenge. The medical cannabis market was still in its infancy, with only about 10,000 patients holding medical cards when he arrived.
"It wasn't just the lack of a customer base," Jarad explains. "Even people with cultivation licenses were importing products instead of growing locally. Why would anyone want to grow when importing was cheaper?"
According to Jarad, imported products often lacked quality. "Canada or wherever else they were importing from always kept the best for their own market. What got sent to Australia was just bought at a price point and flipped—it wasn't good quality. I kept trying to explain that the local industry had to market itself better. Eventually, the window of opportunity for imports is going to close."
While in Australia, Jarad focused on shifting the momentum. He built a team of people who understood the fundamentals of plant care. "It comes down to asking: Is this wet? Is this dry? Is it cool or hot in here? It's about using your senses," he says. But building a cohesive team wasn't simple.
"Providing incentives like bonuses for every harvest helps people take pride in their work," Jarad notes. "It's hard to create a team that can pull off quality harvests, but when you do, it shows in the results."
Battling pests in a new environment
Jarad also encountered common cultivation challenges during his time in Australia. "I faced spider mites, fungus gnats—everything you can think of. In Queensland, we were in the countryside with a poor greenhouse at the mercy of every bug you could imagine. But we succeeded by sticking to a consistent spray regimen."
Jarad emphasizes the importance of preventative measures. "I spray three times a week, from veg through to day 18–21 of flower. I use organic sprays, including essential oil mixes. They work, they smell great, and they fry pests on contact without needing respirators."
Back to the roots
Now back in the U.S., Jarad is part of a new indoor startup operating out of a 27,000-square-foot facility. "We're well-funded and have a great team," he says. The operation is entirely LED-based. "I'm 100% on the LED train. HPS lights are for old-school growers, but with how far LEDs have come, I don't see the point. The savings on electricity and HVAC costs are huge."
Jarad believes success in cannabis cultivation requires constant learning and adaptability. "I've been doing this for 10 years, and I'm still learning. Nobody masters this; you just have to stay open-minded and absorb what you can from your team."
The industry is challenging, but for Jarad, it's about balance and commitment. "Growing weed is hard. It's not just about the plants—it's a production facility with a schedule to follow. A lot of people come into this industry excited, but once the shimmer wears off, only those who are committed stick around."
For Jarad, success lies in finding the right mix of knowledge, teamwork, and adaptability. "It's not easy, but when you get it right, it's worth it."