The passion of Josh Barnhart:
Q & A with Elevated Roots’ Director of Cultivation
What first sparked your passion for cannabis, and how did that lead you to become a cultivator at Elevated Roots?
A: My entry into cannabis was rooted in curiosity. In 2015, Arizona was a medical-only market, and the industry intrigued me. I wanted to understand it from the inside, so I started as a post-harvest lead and quickly fell in love with the work.
From there, I kept pushing—moving into a cultivation manager role and eventually becoming a state cultivation director. Over seven years in Arizona, I managed more than 200,000 square feet of canopy, a scale that forces you to level up in every way. Your systems must be tight, your teams aligned, and your decision-making sharp.
After that, I was ready for a new challenge. On the East Coast, I saw opportunity—but also a gap in experienced, commercially scaled cultivators. That’s what led me to Elevated Roots. What’s exciting here is the ability to build from the ground up, using my own methodology to create something intentional from day one.
Director of Cultivation
Can you share a moment in your career when a cultivation challenge taught you something unexpected?
A: Cannabis cultivation is incredibly humbling. You’re managing environment, genetics, nutrients, water quality, equipment, and human error all at once—and any one variable can impact an entire crop.
Early in my career, I noticed subtle inconsistencies in plant development. They were easy to overlook, but something told me to investigate. We uncovered an environmental control issue that could have significantly impacted yield and quality if left unchecked.
That experience reinforced the importance of trusting your instincts and building a culture where teams feel empowered to flag small issues. In this industry, it’s rarely the obvious problems that cause the most damage—it’s the quiet ones.
What’s the most rewarding part of seeing a plant go from seed to finished product?
A: There’s something meditative about the process. Every decision—from genetics to environment—compounds over time, so by the end, you’re looking at the result of hundreds of intentional choices.
If I had to pinpoint one moment, it’s harvest—walking into a room where everything is dialed in. The structure, the development, the aroma—it all reflects the work that went into it.
Knowing that product will reach someone who values the experience adds another layer of meaning. It’s never just a crop—it’s a process I take real pride in.
Do you have a favorite strain or a brand with a special story behind it?
A: One of the projects I’m most connected to at Elevated Roots is Nostalgia. It started as an idea I carried for years—this belief that cannabis has the ability to transport you to a specific moment in time. I wanted to create something that leaned into that emotional connection, something intentional and personal. At Elevated Roots, I had the opportunity to bring that vision to life.
Every decision, from genetics to the consumer experience, ties back to that core idea. It’s meaningful because it reflects why I got into this industry in the first place.
How would you describe Elevated Roots’ culture, and how does that show up in the plants you grow?
A: Elevated Roots has something that’s difficult to manufacture: authenticity. There’s a real commitment to craftsmanship and doing things the right way.
That culture encourages ownership. When people take pride in their work, it shows up in the final product. Cannabis is highly responsive to its environment—including the human element behind it.
The quality we produce is a direct reflection of the standards we hold ourselves to.
What’s a common misconception about cannabis cultivation?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that cannabis is easy to grow. People say, “It’s a weed, it grows anywhere,” but commercial cultivation at scale is far more complex.
When you’re managing large facilities, the plant will expose every weakness in your operation—from environmental controls to team training.
Another misconception is that cultivation is based purely on instinct. While experience matters, modern cultivation is driven by data, systems, and continuous refinement. The most successful cultivators balance both.
Have you experimented with any techniques that led to surprising results?
A: I’ve experimented with just about everything—lighting, nutrients, environmental strategies—but what matters is how you test. Every experiment needs to be controlled and intentional. If you change too many variables at once, you’re guessing, not learning. Some of the most valuable insights come from unexpected outcomes. Over time, those insights shape your methodology and keep you evolving.
How do you balance science, technology, and creativity in cultivation?
A: All three are essential, but they each have a role. Technology is foundational for maintaining consistent environments and tracking performance over time.
Science informs better decision-making—from plant physiology to environmental metrics. The more you understand, the more intentional you can be.
Creativity plays a role, but more on the brand side. In cultivation, consistency is critical. Too much variability can impact quality and yield. Long-term success comes from balancing data and intuition.
Can you share a moment when your work had a meaningful impact on someone?
A: As cultivators, we’re often behind the scenes, so we don’t always hear those stories directly. But knowing the potential impact of cannabis—whether it’s helping someone manage pain, improve sleep, or enhance their quality of life—is motivating.
What’s been meaningful is hearing how certain products can create shared experiences across generations. Those moments of connection—where memory and experience intersect—are powerful.
What advice would you give someone interested in cannabis cultivation?
A: Be curious and humble.
Cannabis cultivation is a constant learning process. The moment you think you’ve figured it out, the plant will challenge you. Curiosity drives growth, but humility keeps you open to learning. You have to be willing to adapt, learn from mistakes, and evolve over time. That mindset is what allows people to succeed in this industry.
Photos by Miles Legrow
About Elevated Roots
Elevated Roots is a Massachusetts-based cannabis company committed to education, community empowerment, and an elevated retail experience. Operating three licensed adult-use dispensaries in Abington, Halifax, and Kingston —Elevated Roots is known for its knowledgeable and welcoming team, wide-ranging product selection, and thoughtfully curated in-house cannabis brands, Nostalgia and Ritual, cultivated by the company’s own cultivation team based in Kingston. Through immersive retail experiences, community engagement and educational initiatives, Elevated Roots works to destigmatize cannabis and promote responsible consumption in an inclusive environment.
Learn more about Elevated Roots at elevatedrootsma.com, and visit its three dispensary locations in Abington at 1423 Bedford St., daily from 9 am to 9 pm; in Kingston at 44 William C. Gould Jr. Way, daily from 9 am to 9 pm; and in Halifax at 319 Monponsett St., daily from 8 am to 8 pm. For the latest information, follow Elevated Roots on Facebook and Instagram.
