Cannabis Testing Lab Design Tips From a Specialized Architecture Firm

AUSTIN, Texas - July 31, 2019 - PRLog -- We recently caught up with Satto Rugg who, with business partner Nicole Delmage, launched MerJ Architecture last year. His firm is a cannabis-specific architecture firm specializing in the design of testing labs, retail dispensaries, plus facilities for the growing, cultivating and processing of cannabis. Satto is an established architect with 20 years' managing a general practice architecture firm that provides services for commercial, residential and other more traditional projects.

Satto recognized the potential of providing services for the rapidly growing cannabis industry in his home state of Colorado after it became the first state in the U.S. to legalize the sale of marijuana for non-medical use in December 2012.

Currently, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, cannabis is legal for medical use (with a doctor's recommendation) in 29 states. Another 17 states have laws allowing for the medical use of a THC-limited version which is non-psychoactive. Another 13 states plus the U.S. Virgin Islands have decriminalized it for recreational use.

State Cannabis Programs, Effective July 1, 2018 – Data obtained from National Conference of State Legislatures – Vector map from Blank US Map.svg by Theshibboleth

Described as the "fastest-growing industry in the U.S." by the Huffington Post, the cannabis business is expected to continuing its impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26% thru 2021, according to Arcview Market Research/BDS Analytics. Or, in dollars terms, the industry that reached $6.73 billion in sales in North America in 2015 is projected to reach $21.6 billion by 2021.

Beyond sales, growth in the industry has translated to jobs as well. The job website ZipRecruiter notes that jobs posting for cannabis industry positions increased 445% in 2017, significantly more than the 18% growth rate reported for 2016. In the U.S., the cannabis industry now employs from 165,000-230,000 full- and part-time workers.

Satto has already established credentials in this expanding industry. MerJ Architects has existing or pending projects in several states — including Colorado, Iowa, Washington, Oregon and California.

He notes: "Cannabis facilities is where our expertise lies – the industry presents an array of highly technical challenges that present a steep learning curve for architects. Regulations from local and State jurisdictions are often very confusing to clients. We've been through it before, and we know how to design within the parameters and get you up and running as quickly as possible."

Read more at Formaspace.com