Within days, A New Commodity Trading Board will open. And Cannabis medicine is what they're trading in. In the heart of South Tulsa County's truck farming district, a vegetable producer is bringing his same technology skills to the effort of providing safe & healthy medicines for patients whose physicians are turning to cannabis for better health. Ben Neal is an unlikely farmer. He grew up in a well connected Tulsa family and attended a prestigious prep school. This is not the career path he originally planned. But his administrative career path left him frustrated and in need of change. He decided to grow vegetables and sell them. But he is anything but, a dirt farmer. Neal built Sage Farm on the concept of hydroponics and markets his produce to wholesalers, restaurants, and residential consumers. He coordinated a collaborative effort with other producers so that he could offer a wider range of produce and other locally grown foods. This became www.LocalFarmOK.com. Sage Farm is now taking much of these same technologies to cannabis medicine cultivation. LocalFarmOK is still very active in vegetables and other produce, but Neal's operation is getting ready to harvest his initial cannabis crop. And that's an even bigger development. |  |
 | The Cannabis Commodity Trading Board Ben Neal is going to take his crops to the virtual marketplace he designed exclusively for Oklahoma's dispensaries and medicine processors. He will sell his cut & cured cannabis at www.OkCannabisMarket.com . Any licensed Medical Marijuana Business will be able to buy or sell at this commodity exchange. Even better yet, the public will be able to watch the transactions in real time. It will help bring stability to the prices and give dispensaries an early warning when prices rise or fall. It will also give some clarity to the supply & demand dynamics. Chip Paul, the author of SQ788, says this kind of innovation is very needed and a big boost for cannabis producers & distributors. Paul is a founder of the Oklahoma Cannabis Trade Association. He also operates a research and testing facility, as well as a processor of Cannabis Medicines. |  |
There is a lot that we didn't discuss. Neal's research of growing techniques has come a long way, and he really doesn't want to give away those innovations to his competitors. His facility is a very high security compound. The 10 foot fences and reinforced steel gate are a clear reminder that he's serious about security. He says that area law enforcement has also met with him and is committed to keeping the area safe.
Neal is a kind and friendly family man. But he takes his obligations very seriously and is also protecting this very expensive investment. He's looking for more staffing to help him, but he's very serious about finding the right people and business associates.
Neal is a kind and friendly family man. But he takes his obligations very seriously and is also protecting this very expensive investment. He's looking for more staffing to help him, but he's very serious about finding the right people and business associates.
