Clarity Farms: Pioneering Washington's Sungrown Cannabis Revolution
In the heart of Washington State's Columbia Basin, where fertile alluvial soils meet abundant sunshine, a remarkable story of agricultural innovation and sustainable cannabis cultivation has taken root. Clarity Farms stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of its three founders: Scott Griffin (CEO), Jian Malihi (Head Grower), and Emery Rhodes. Their journey from medical cannabis advocates to pioneers of Washington's legal cannabis landscape offers valuable insights into the evolution of this rapidly growing industry.
The Genesis of Clarity Farms
The story of Clarity Farms begins in Seattle, an epicenter of the marijuana movement in Washington State. For Jian Malihi, the path to cannabis cultivation started shortly after turning 18, when he began growing medical cannabis with friends. By 19, he was working with the Center for Palliative Care, a Washington dispensary at the forefront of patient care.
"They were at the forefront of interacting with patients and providing consistent supplies to them," Malihi recalls. "They had a pretty impressive list of patients who really relied on them. So I started learning a lot about the business side of marijuana production, too."
When Washington's Initiative 502 passed in the 2012 election, legalizing cannabis cultivation, Malihi recognized a pivotal moment. Collaborating with friends Scott Griffin and Emery Rhodes, they applied for one of Washington's first cultivation licenses. By the end of 2013, they were among the first 40 licensees in the state, and by December 2014, Clarity Farms had harvested its first crops.
A Vision Rooted in Terroir
What distinguishes Clarity Farms from many cannabis operations is their unique approach to cultivation, which draws inspiration from Washington's renowned wine industry. The team deliberately chose to establish their operation in the Columbia Basin, an area celebrated for its agricultural bounty.
"The setting is quite different from that of a traditional, clandestine, tucked-away-in-the-mountains cannabis cultivation site," explains Malihi. "This facility is smack dab in the middle of Washington's legacy agricultural land and surrounded by 100-plus acre irrigation pivots. It's extremely productive land."
The region boasts deep loam soils and a consistent, predictable growing climate—attributes that have made the Columbia Valley a premier wine-growing region in the United States. Clarity Farms' founders recognized these same qualities would be ideal for cannabis cultivation, allowing them to create a product with a distinct regional character.
Scaling Sustainable Cannabis Production
Today, Clarity Farms encompasses 30,000 square feet of outdoor canopy—the largest license available in Washington State—complemented by 12,000 square feet of high-tech greenhouse space and facilities for distribution and oil processing. The farm spans locations in both Monroe and Othello, Washington, employing 21 people and cultivating 25 unique strains.
The team's commitment to sustainable, sungrown cannabis represents both a philosophy and a practical business approach. As Malihi puts it, "The philosophy behind Clarity Farms is to scale up cannabis field-crop and greenhouse production while also increasing sustainability and consistency. We want to expand on what's already been built and pioneered in cannabis production."
This approach includes using OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute)-certified fertilizers and amendments, focusing on soil health, and implementing biological controls and beneficial insects to eliminate the need for harsh chemicals. Their growing practices actively work to rebuild soil biology and organic matter, especially important in an area with mineral-rich but organically depleted soils.
Curating Cannabis with Character
Clarity Farms' strain selection reflects the team's deep understanding of Washington's growing conditions and consumer preferences. Through extensive trial and error, they've identified varieties that thrive in their specific microclimate while delivering the quality and effects consumers desire.
Among their top-selling strains are Jougordi Kush and Black Cherry Soda, though their lineup has been carefully curated from over 25 varieties down to approximately 10 core strains—with plans to further refine to about five exceptional varieties.
Many of their strains showcase Washington's cannabis heritage. As Malihi explains: "There's a Blackberry Bubba Kush that was developed out in Sequim, Washington, by an old breeder who's a buddy of mine. It's a really wet climate out there, so the strain had to finish out earlier in order to beat the early October rains. It also had to be a lot more resilient to molds in general."
This focus on locally-adapted genetics ensures their plants not only survive but thrive in Washington's unique growing conditions. "These strains were bred in Washington, so there's a higher likelihood for being ideal production candidates than if we were to somehow acquire strains that were developed in California. It's not necessarily a better bud, but more acclimated and better for growing in this area," notes Malihi.
The Terroir Approach to Cannabis
Drawing further parallels to the wine industry, Clarity Farms emphasizes the importance of terroir—the complete natural environment in which a crop is produced, including factors such as soil, topography, and climate. This approach yields cannabis with distinctive characteristics reflective of its origin.
"We have grown in countless mediums over the years, but last season was the first time we planted in straight native soil," shares Malihi. "We amended the field lightly and then dropped the starts into the ground. The soil in the basin is very rich, which has a major impact on flavor development across all crops."
The results speak for themselves: "The oil from this year's crop is more nuanced and complex than any other oil we've ever produced. This last crop season was our first in this particular field, but we feel confident to say that the native soil and climate contributed greatly to the flavors of our flowers and oil."
This attention to terroir is beginning to resonate with cannabis connoisseurs, who—like wine enthusiasts—are developing increasingly sophisticated palates. Malihi predicts: "Absolutely. Cannabis strains vary greatly by their preferred growing conditions, which leads sun growers to focus on growing varieties best suited for their particular micro-climate. As knowledge is accumulated, this process will get more sophisticated and will continue to make different regions known for specific styles of marijuana."
The Team Behind the Brand
While Jian Malihi handles cultivation strategy as Head Grower, Scott Griffin serves as CEO, overseeing business operations. Emery Rhodes, the third partner, brings a diverse set of skills and a remarkable personal story to the team.
Rhodes, who has family roots on Orcas Island, once completed what is believed to be the first and only circumnavigation of Orcas Island on a stand-up paddle board—a 13-hour journey through challenging winds and waves that speaks to his determination and adventurous spirit. This same tenacity has served him well in the demanding world of cannabis cultivation.
Together, these three partners have built one of Washington's most respected cannabis operations, balancing traditional agricultural wisdom with innovative approaches to create consistently exceptional products.
Looking to the Future
As the cannabis industry evolves, Clarity Farms continues to innovate and refine their approach. They're actively working with the Washington Department of Agriculture on a program to certify cannabis as "organic" within Washington, positioning themselves at the forefront of sustainable cannabis production.
The team sees enormous potential in applying conventional farming techniques to cannabis cultivation. "Conventional farming is distilled down to be as efficient as possible. They're not overbuilding their systems in the field. They're only building exactly what's needed... We steal those ideas. They have to be tweaked, but we monitor what they're doing and study it," explains Malihi.
This includes adapting tractor implements and building material-handling carts specifically for cannabis cultivation—innovations that are being adopted by other farms throughout the state.
With each growing season, Clarity Farms increases their production quality, expands their knowledge base, and further develops their trusted reputation in Washington's cannabis industry. Their story represents not just business success, but a fundamental shift in how cannabis is cultivated—with respect for the land, attention to regional character, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
For consumers seeking cannabis that truly reflects the unique character of Washington State, Clarity Farms offers products cultivated with the same care, expertise, and regional pride that has made the state's wines world-renowned. As the cannabis market matures and connoisseurship becomes more sophisticated, farms like Clarity that emphasize terroir, sustainability, and consistent quality are positioned to define what Washington cannabis means to the world.
By Michael
Sources:
https://www.islandssounder.com/life/man-circumnavigates-orcas-on-paddle-board/
https://www.marijuanaventure.com/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2016/03/APR2016-digital.pdf
https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/home/article/15700313/10-questions-with-jian-malihi
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