All That Green Ain’t Gold: The Uncertain Future of Bright Green Corporation
Nestled in Grants, New Mexico, Bright Green Corporation was once touted as a revolutionary player in pharmaceutical research and production. But after several years little is known about the mysterious location adjacent directly to the Coyote Del Malpais golf course.
Prescription
The company initially secured DEA authorization to cultivate and manufacture Schedule I substances, specifically marihuana extract (7350), marihuana (7360), and tetrahydrocannabinols (7370), for scientific and pharmaceutical applications. However, despite ambitious claims and major investments, Bright Green has faced mounting scrutiny regarding its actual operations, leading to a major restructuring that now places its future in question.
Bright Green’s Promise: Research and the EB-5 Program
With the goal of becoming a federally compliant supplier, Bright Green sought to attract international investors through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a U.S. visa initiative that grants permanent residency to foreign nationals who invest at least $1.05 million in a U.S. business—or $800,000 if the business is located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). To qualify, these investments must also create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers.
In May 2023, Bright Green launched its own EB-5 investment program, seeking foreign capital to expand its greenhouse operations and fund its large-scale pharmaceutical ambitions. To facilitate this, Bright Green partnered with the Asia Capital Pioneers Group (ACPG), a private equity and management firm specializing in connecting high-net-worth investors in Asia with U.S. business opportunities. ACPG served as Bright Green’s exclusive investment partner in the Asia-Pacific region, helping to recruit foreign investors interested in U.S. residency through EB-5 participation.
The program was launched at a time when China dominated the Unreserved EB-5 visa market, accounting for 55% of all visas issued in Q1 FY2025—a staggering 2,505 visas, with 2,449 of those processed by the Guangzhou Consulate Office alone. Other high-volume EB-5 processing regions included Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (704 visas) and Taipei, Taiwan (310 visas), with Indian applicants securing 335 visas, 276 (82%) of which were handled through the Mumbai Consulate. Bright Green’s investment strategy aligned with these trends, heavily targeting Asian investors looking for a U.S. residency pathway.
However, despite securing funding and DEA registrations for Schedule I substances, Bright Green never successfully initiated production at its facility—a point that would later fuel public skepticism and industry criticism. Notably, the company’s massive greenhouse operation is situated right next to Coyote del Malpais Golf Course, a city-owned course in Grants. The location raises questions about whether the project was designed for legitimate production or as a financial play for high-net-worth investors looking for more than just business opportunities.
A Pivot to Controlled Substances and Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ Visa
By early 2025, Bright Green, under the leadership of CEO Lynn Stockwell, abandoned its original research plans entirely, citing regulatory instability and market volatility as key reasons for the shift. Instead, the company announced a $3.5 billion investment in the production of DEA-Scheduled controlled substances and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), with plans to develop DEA and FDA-compliant mega-farms for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The restructuring coincided with President Donald Trump’s introduction of the ‘Gold Card’ visa program in February 2025, which replaced the EB-5 program and required $5 million in investment for permanent U.S. residency. Bright Green quickly pivoted from its EB-5 strategy to align with the higher-stakes ‘Gold Card’ initiative, targeting ultra-high-net-worth investors to fund its pharmaceutical expansion.
Industry Skepticism:
Not everyone is convinced by Bright Green’s ambitious claims. Duke Rodriguez, CEO of Ultra Health, has emerged as one of the company’s most vocal critics. In a recent podcast appearance, Rodriguez alleged that he had sent employees to the Bright Green facility, only to find what he described as a seemingly inactive site. He stated that it would be difficult to believe the company was anything other than a “scam site” due to its lack of visible production or research activity.
An Uncertain Future for Bright Green
Despite its federal registrations, investment programs, and restructuring efforts, Bright Green’s actual operational progress remains unclear. The company’s pivot from one production model to another raises serious questions about its ability to execute on its promises, especially considering its lack of output despite years of funding and planning.
With high-profile criticism, investor skepticism, and shifting regulatory landscapes, Bright Green stands at a critical crossroads. Whether the company can successfully transform into a legitimate pharmaceutical powerhouse or if it will become another overpromised and underdelivered industry story remains to be seen. For now, all that green ain’t gold—at least not yet.
