Digital Farms
What is a Digital Farm?
How do bad actors manipulate systems?
How to be aware to protect yourself and your business,
A digital farm is a term used in the context of the cannabis industry to describe a deceptive operation that exists solely in digital form. Essentially, it's a fraudulent scheme where individuals or entities create fictitious records of cannabis cultivation and production without actually engaging in any physical farming activities.
In a digital farm scenario, perpetrators fabricate documentation within the traceability systems used to track cannabis from seed to sale. This can involve creating false records of crop cultivation, harvest yields, and product distribution, all without any actual planting, growing, or harvesting taking place. The goal is typically to deceive regulatory authorities, distributors, and consumers into believing that the products being sold are legitimate and compliant with regulations, when in reality they may be illegal or of inferior quality.
Digital farms pose a significant challenge to the integrity of the cannabis industry, as they undermine efforts to ensure product safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. Detecting and combating these fraudulent operations requires robust traceability systems, thorough regulatory oversight, and industry-wide collaboration to uphold transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.
Bad actors within the cannabis industry employ various tactics to manipulate test results and sell illicit flower. Some of these tactics include:
Sample Selection: Cherry-picking samples for testing, selecting only those that are likely to yield favorable results while disregarding batches that may fail testing.
Tampering with Harvest: Manipulating yield amounts before harvest, such as indicating a full yield when less was physically harvested.
Mislabeling: Falsifying labels or packaging to misrepresent the origin, potency, or characteristics of the product.
It's crucial for businesses in the cannabis industry to thoroughly vet their suppliers to mitigate risks associated with illicit activities and ensure compliance with regulations. Vetting suppliers involves conducting due diligence to verify their legitimacy, track record, and adherence to industry standards. This may include reviewing their licensing and certification status, inspecting their facilities, and obtaining references from trusted sources.
