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When seeking out good cannabis advice, you're not only learning how to make informed decisions, you're also challenging the stigmas that have long surrounded the plant and holding the emerging cannabis industry accountable. With that in mind, it's worth diving deeper into the primary differences between indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation, as these can influence your buying experience.
The different types of cannabis plants can become personal preferences over time, with some users swearing by indoor-grown products while others are staunch advocates for outdoor-grown strains. However, for many, it's all about sampling and enjoying a variety of experiences, remaining open to new strains each time they light up.
Cannabis preferences can often come down to the environment in which the plant was grown, and while some individuals may remain loyal to either indoor or outdoor varieties, others find joy in exploring the diversity of flavors and effects that different cultivation methods offer, embracing variety as part of the experience.
Why is this an issue in the first place?
Prior to prohibition, cannabis—both for medicinal and industrial purposes—grew everywhere, often even as a wild plant (hence its nickname). Cannabis seeds and smoking equipment have been found across various continents, dating back thousands of years. For centuries, it was cultivated outdoors in fields, much like any other plant.
A culture of urban eradication in the mid-20th century spread even to the secluded weed-growing regions of California, as law enforcement targeted and imprisoned cannabis growers. Sam Ludwig, the president of Aster Farms, a sustainable cannabis company from Northern California, has firsthand experience with this history. Some of his relatives paid the price for being part of Northern California’s growing outdoor cannabis movement.
As a third-generation cultivator, he can personally confirm that "cannabis is [only] grown indoors because of prohibition—raids and incarcerations that began in the late ‘70s and continue to this day, nearly 50 years later."
Indoor cultivation offered secrecy...until law enforcement found ways to track down these operations as well. While growing cannabis indoors may have been a game-changer in keeping the black market stocked, it also altered how we use the plant, leading to a standardization of high-potency strains. This is one reason why today’s cannabis is often considered stronger than what Boomers smoked in the '60s—and it likely is.
These days, cannabis products on dispensary shelves typically highlight the growing method on the packaging, both as a marketing tool and as a helpful indicator of what's inside the container. While we’re not here to advocate for one type of weed over another, there are definitely important details every consumer should be aware of before making a purchase.
Indoor cultivation is all about control
It’s crucial to note that cannabis can't be cultivated outdoors everywhere. In a cannabis-rich state like California, the moist northern regions, with their forests and valleys, provide an ideal environment for outdoor cannabis cultivation, while the dry southern areas are known for indoor growing operations.
Robert Masterson, a cultivator at A Golden State, shared that the drive behind their indoor cultivation is the desire for standardized methods. "Cannabis grown indoors can receive the perfect amount of light per square foot, along with various light spectrums to enhance terpenes and potency," he explained. "Not all indoor cultivators can fully control their environment, but when done right, it allows them to unlock the highest genetic potential of specific strains."
This means that by leveraging data and advanced technology, cultivators can optimize every aspect of the growing process for each strain, aiming for the 'holy trinity': higher yields, greater potency, and tailored sensory experiences. For some consumers, this is exactly the type of cannabis experience they are looking for.
Although rumors about "today’s" THC levels being higher than ever have been circulating since the mid-2010s, this trend is consumer-driven, not tech-driven. In 2015, The Atlantic reported that the "shift toward high potency is arguably more a result of contemporary market forces than a younger generation of marijuana enthusiasts."
The flavor and potent THC content of cannabis are not only influenced by indoor growing, but are also guaranteed by more stable growing conditions. However, as Masterson pointed out, "not all indoor cannabis is grown the same. It’s crucial to select a brand that truly knows what they’re doing. Growing cannabis in a controlled environment costs more, and that cost is often reflected in retail prices."
Famous cannabis fan Justin Bieber was recently seen shopping at the new Wonderbrett store in Hollywood, a brand renowned for its indoor cultivation practices. We reached out to the company’s co-founder and cultivator, Brett Feldman, to understand what makes his products stand out in a crowded market.
"What I appreciate about our facility and work is that we’ve refined our indoor process to perfection, ensuring a consistently top-grade product," Feldman shared with us via email. "We can achieve this level of quality over and over again without relying on guesswork or chance."
Not every cultivator also consumes, but Feldman has some advice for fans of indoor-grown cannabis. Primarily, he suggests that at higher price points, the quality should match the cost. Along with proper packaging and freshness, he looks for "meticulous attention to detail when it comes to premium flowers, ensuring they are protected. The flower should remain intact, appearing fresh and pristine. It shouldn’t be crushed, and the crystals should still be shiny and sparkling."
Outdoor cultivation can also yield quality results
The corporatization of cannabis has a significant environmental cost, regardless of the cultivation method. While growers like A Golden State and Wonderbrett work hard to source sustainable utilities and reduce their ecological impact, many indoor growers focus primarily on maximizing yields and THC content, often using as much plastic, electricity, water, and fertilizer as they deem necessary to achieve those goals.
This is why Raeven Duckett Robinson, Co-founder of Community Gardens in Oakland, California, advocates for outdoor cultivation. "It’s like the Twizzler versus Red Vine debate. I support outdoor cultivation because it’s more cost-effective—and cannabis should be grown outdoors anyway. Indoor cultivation is overhyped and damaging to the environment," she explained.
"According to the regulations and requirements for legal cannabis operations—such as packaging, record-keeping, and receipts—there’s a lot of waste created, particularly in terms of packaging. The energy consumed by indoor cultivation unnecessarily increases the industry's environmental footprint. The energy required to grow cannabis indoors is substantial, and I believe it’s inefficient and unnecessary. Plants can be grown outside using sunlight," she added.
Sam Ludwig shares Robinson's perspective, believing that nature produces the best cannabis. "Indoor-grown cannabis may have a more appealing appearance with its dense structure and visible trichomes, but it typically offers a less potent high and reduced medicinal benefits," he stated. "The plant has been thriving in nature under the sun, moon, and stars for millennia—not in a windowless room under artificial LEDs."
Working with Aster Farms CEO Julia Jacobson and his wife, who is an expert in soil science, Ludwig and his team have created a unique approach to outdoor cultivation: "At Aster, we grow directly in the ground, using live soil that contains a variety of bugs, fungi, and bacteria to break down organic matter, which in turn feeds the plants. We focus on nourishing the soil because it nourishes the plants. It’s a bottom-up approach that we believe leads to a higher-quality product with enhanced effects."
Cannabis appellations have the potential to revolutionize the industry
As federal cannabis legalization seems imminent, it's important to recognize the 'sense of place' that outdoor-grown cannabis represents: Certain regions, particularly on the West Coast, produce cannabis with unique characteristics due to their specific soil, sunlight, climate, and cultivation methods. This is why there is a growing movement to establish protected cannabis regions, similar to California’s Emerald Triangle or Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Just like wine regions, the local environment can profoundly influence the cannabis produced there.
Rachel Burkons, a wine, cannabis, and hospitality expert, is actively advocating for the establishment of cannabis appellations. Through her Instagram account @smokesipsavor, she highlights the distinct pleasures of California’s natural landscape and offers insights into how to pair regional products, including cannabis.
At this year's Cannabis Drinks Expo, Burkons shared, "In wine, when we discuss appellations, we’ll say, ‘this region is very hot and dry’ or ‘it’s foggy in the mornings,’ and these factors specific to the appellation influence the wine’s flavor and profile. The same principles apply to cannabis."
The key takeaway for you, the consumer, is to explore different options and stick with what resonates most with you. The contrast between indoor and outdoor cultivation is a great starting point for your cannabis research journey—whether you're a casual user or a regular one. Understanding what helps the plants thrive is an excellent motivation for growing your own, but everything begins with making informed decisions when you're at the dispensary.
