Green Horizons, a cannabis cultivation company, has established its operations in Coachella, California. The company's strategic location is part of its plan to thrive in the state's competitive cannabis market. Green Horizons is led by CEO Carlos “Los” Arias, a pioneer in regulated cannabis and former principal at Colorado’s River Rock. He partnered with developer Michael Meade, who envisioned Coachella as a hub for cannabis similar to Napa Valley's wine industry.
Meade played a key role in establishing Coachella's cannabis cultivation zone and secured favorable tax rates for the operation. Together with Arias, they developed a facility that combines natural sunlight with modern lighting technology to create an efficient and sustainable growing environment.
Arias emphasized the benefits of using the sun for cultivation, countering misconceptions about greenhouse-grown cannabis. The facility minimizes electricity use and relies on evaporative cooling instead of air conditioning. It also benefits from lower electricity costs through the Imperial Irrigation District’s power grid.
The first phase of construction was completed in 2024, and since then, Green Horizons has begun harvesting its crops. The initial harvests yielded approximately 3,000 pounds of cannabis, sold to licensed brands across California. Production is expected to triple by summer 2025.
Looking ahead, Green Horizons plans to launch its own brand called SOL as an homage to its roots in Coachella Valley. To develop this brand, Arias and Meade enlisted fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger as a founding partner and investor. SOL aims to be a premium yet accessible brand available through retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
“Something like that just doesn’t happen overnight,” Arias stated regarding their future plans. “But with the right team, we can accomplish anything.”