The Greenhouse Cartel, by Team Agriculture, proposes an agricultural solution to California’s economic situation.

The country’s number one cash crop is an environmental nightmare. Conducted in the dark both literally (under high-intensity grow lights) and figuratively (industry transparency is non-existent), cannabis production enjoys none of the best-practice environmental one-upmanship that currently defines the state’s wine industry — which has overcome its past stigma and now generates $51.8 billion and over 309,000 jobs annually. Using that industry as a model, Team Agriculture intends to clear the negative perception of the cannabis industry. An industry association — the Greenhouse Cartel — would promote the Bay Area as a Mecca for cannabis tourism with the proper branding and marketing such an undertaking would require.

This project is a response to GOOD Magazine’s design challenge to Academy of Art University students as part of its ongoing Design for Cities initiative. Each student team utilized the Living Principles framework and scorecard to guide and evaluate their efforts.

Team Cannabis: Astra Sodarsono

Course: Graphic Design & Sustainability (MFA)

Instructor: Phil Hamlett, Graduate Director, Academy of Art University School of Graphic Design

View related posts:

The Greenspot Initiative

Urban Energy Initiative

The Urban Furnishings Project

Project Zero-Waste

The Urban Runnoff Project

Project Firefly