Cannabis Construction and the New Age of CA

“You don’t just say no in this industry.”

That quote from David Fetner, Managing Partner at Grow America Builders, pretty much sums up the mindset needed to survive in cannabis construction. In Episode 31 of What the RFI?, we dive into one of the most complex, high-stakes corners of the AEC world: designing and building cannabis retail and cultivation facilities.

From the outside, a dispensary might look like just another slick retail build-out. But under the surface? We’re talking vaults, biometric security, odor mitigation, power redundancy, and so much red tape you’d think you were designing a prison in a national park.

This isn’t your typical tenant fit-out. This is CA on hard mode! 💪

Zoning, Permitting, and the Legal Labyrinth

David kicks things off with a reality check: just because cannabis is legal in a state doesn’t mean it’s legal in the town or county you want to build in. And even if it is, the permitting process is like walking a tightrope over a minefield—with two sets of regulators watching: local municipalities and state agencies.

Permits can take months. Scrutiny is intense. And once the inspection phase rolls around, all it takes is one anti-cannabis inspector to derail your momentum.

“It’s the most scrutinized permitting process I’ve ever been part of—and I’ve been doing this for 25 years,” David told me.

The Cannabis Vault Isn’t a Metaphor

If you’re building cannabis retail, security isn’t an afterthought—it’s a foundational design constraint. You’re dealing with a product that’s federally illegal, incredibly valuable, and attractive to the wrong kind of attention. That means:

• Bank-grade vaults

• Bullet-resistant glazing

• Security film on all windows

• Fob-access restricted zones

• Mesh barriers on shared demising walls

• 24/7 video surveillance

And that’s just the dispensary side. Cultivation facilities require even more safeguards—both physical and digital.

Power and HVAC: The Real MVPs of Grow Facilities

Here’s something architects don’t think about until it’s too late: power and mechanical systems can make or break a cannabis facility—literally.

You can’t grow cannabis on single-phase power. You can’t maintain optimal conditions without serious HVACD systems. And if you’re not planning for humidity control, odor mitigation, fertigation, and dehumidification at the spec stage, you’re setting yourself up for disaster.

“The number one cause of loss in a grow op? Mechanical failure,” said David. “If you lose power or miss a humidity spike, you’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars down the drain.”

Oh—and every facility must be generator-ready. Full stop! 🛑

Retail Is About Vibes (and Lighting)

Lighting in cannabis retail isn’t just about visibility. It’s about mood, atmosphere, and brand. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode? Don’t cheap out on lighting. High-end fixtures, warm color temperatures, and thoughtful lighting design can completely transform the customer experience.

Cannabis stores are no longer dark, back-of-the-van deals. They’re evolving into hospitality-driven spaces—places where customers can browse, sample, and experience the product. That means yoga studios, cannabis lounges, and even cannabis-friendly hotels are popping up across the country.

CA, Change Orders, and Internal RFIs

One of my favorite parts of this episode was when David explained how his design-build firm manages CA. With a full in-house team (no external architects on most jobs), they’ve built a robust internal system for shop drawing reviews, internal RFIs, and change management.

“We issue spec books that are 900–1,000 pages long—and we use every page,” he said.

Despite the design-build setup, they still have layers of review for everything, from security layouts to HVACD schematics. Why? Because CA is where it all breaks down—and in cannabis, there’s no margin for error.

The Rise of AI in Cultivation

One of the coolest parts of the conversation came near the end: AI is now being used in grow facilities to detect diseases, optimize yields, and prevent plant loss.

Imagine a robotic system hovering over rows of cannabis, scanning leaves in real time, and sending alerts two weeks before a human could spot mildew or mites.

It’s not science fiction. It’s happening now!!!

“AI is here—and it’s already improving cultivation efficiency by 30% in some cases,” David explained.

As someone who’s been experimenting with AI in CA workflows, I was fired up by this part of the conversation. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t stop at BIM. There’s a whole new frontier opening up in construction tech.

Final Thoughts: Design Smarter, Build Smarter

Cannabis construction is a beast. It’s part architectural design, part military-grade security, part advanced MEP coordination, and part regulatory chess game.

But it’s also an exciting frontier for architects and builders—if you know what you’re getting into.

This episode was a crash course in how to survive (and thrive) in this space. Massive thanks to David Fetner and the team at Grow America Builders for sharing their expertise.

If you’re an architect considering your first cannabis project, or you’re knee-deep in CA right now, this episode is required listening.

Until next time, architects—keep designing. Contractors—keep making those blueprints a reality. And CA warriors? You already know. Keep asking… What the RFI?

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