DRM launches Core 7 collaboration for commercial cannabis operators

DRM has formed a strategic collaboration with six industry partners to help commercial cannabis cultivation operators plan, build and run facilities more efficiently. The Core 7 also adds educational content and resources aimed at improving decision-making, compliance and production outcomes. Why it matters: - Commercial cultivation operators often manage facility design, construction, packaging, plant health and biosecurity through separate vendors. - The Core 7 aims to centralize those services into one coordinated network, which could reduce delays, conflicting recommendations and costly redesigns. - The collaboration is also meant to support operators facing rising costs, tighter compliance demands and pressure to improve output without hurting margins. What happened: - DRM announced a strategic collaboration with six industry partners: Grow Pros, Calyx Containers, UPI Panels, ProGuard, Advanced Nutrients and Kaya Coir. - The group is informally known as The Core 7 and is led by DRM. - The collaboration is supported by the Grow World platform, which is built to serve global commercial cultivation operators. - The announcement was made June 17, 2026, from Roseville, California. The details: - The Core 7 is designed to help commercial cultivation operators streamline planning, construction, operations and long-term facility performance. - The collaboration covers facility design, environmental strategy, cultivation optimization, integrated facility materials, contamination prevention, pest and disease mitigation, packaging solutions and operational support. - Operators can use the alliance for new projects and for upgrades to existing facilities. - DRM said the model is intended to replace fragmented vendor relationships with a more coordinated ecosystem of expertise. - The alliance will produce educational video content, strategic insights, facility walkthrough discussions, expert interviews and practical resources. - The content will focus on cultivation design best practices, integrated pest management, contamination prevention, facility infrastructure planning, packaging strategy, operational efficiency and emerging industry trends. - Nic Bucholz, CEO of DRM, said cultivators face pressure from rising costs, stricter compliance expectations and the need to protect margins. Between the lines: - The collaboration reflects a broader shift in cannabis toward integrated service models rather than siloed specialty providers. - By pairing operational services with educational content, The Core 7 is positioning itself as both a vendor network and an information hub. - That approach could help the partners stay relevant as commercial grows become more complex and more standardized. What’s next: - The Core 7 plans to roll out demos, free samples and additional operator resources through Grow World trials . - The collaboration is expected to expand its educational and strategic content around facility performance and cultivation operations. - DRM and its partners are positioning The Core 7 as a long-term resource for operators seeking stronger results across the cultivation lifecycle.