Cannabis — Is it really green?
With a growing cannabis industry comes a growing concern for the environmental sustainability of this booming business. So, is cannabis really green?
Contrary to its natural appearance, cannabis isn’t all too green.
As of November 2016, 28 states have legalized some form of cannabis; recreational, medicinal, or both.
Thanks to the greater reach of legalization, these 28 states now span from the east coast to the west coast, which has allowed cannabis to be grown and distributed in an increasingly demanding market and at an increasingly faster pace. Thus, spiking the influx in both resources needed and consumed to supply the market with this highly desirable little plant.
Collectively, Washington, California and Hawaii grow a staggering average of 7,873,585 cannabis plants per year, and like other crops, this production requires an extensive amount of resources. Plus, these aren’t the only states that are rapidly producing this plant, meaning that now more than ever, cannabis is being grown and there are a lot of resources needed to do so.
So, although cannabis might be green in appearance, this sought after plant is far from being “green” when talking about the environment. In fact, “cannabis” and “sustainability” are two words that have yet to mix.
Cannabis: One thirsty green plant
Simply stated, cannabis is thirsty. Very thirsty.
More demanding for water than wine grapes, cannabis has officially slid into the №1 spot as the most water intensive crop that fuels a recreational consumption industry. But, in a landscape where water is increasingly scarce and necessary, this is not a №1 title or position to be proud of.
According to research conduced by the “Plus One Peer Review Journal: Impacts of Surface Water Diversion From Marijuana Cultivation on Aquatic Habitats”, a single cannabis plant consumes an average of six gallons of water per day, which is two times more the average water consumption than a vine of wine grapes.
To put that number into perspective, a dishwasher used at full capacity only requires four gallons of water per cycle.
If that doesn’t feel like a lot of water, think of it this way:
And that’s just the numbers from one state, not including indoor grows which are increasingly growing in popularity.
The water to supply the cannabis plants has to come from somewhere, and often times, local water sheds, streams and rivers are heavily depleted, which leads to more environmental detriments than just a decrease in one of Earth’s most vital resources.
Populations of fish, like trout and salmon, are now on the decline in areas where cannabis is produced, as their habitats are drying up and being destroyed by the needy cannabis plants.
When the water is removed for cannabis production from these natural areas, wildlife, which includes certain species that some individuals depend on for their livelihood and food source, are impaired and threatened.
Whether you’re an environmentalist, a cannabis consumer, both or neither, it’s evident that this popular plant is demanding — and thirsty — which could greatly impact resources for humans and personal water consumption in the coming future.
Needless to say, water affects everyone and everything; from fish, to farmers, to cannabis growers, cannabis consumers and everyone in between. Moving into the future, cannabis will only continue its thirst for water as more states and more people increase the demand for cannabis, which means that sustainable practices will have to transpire if this industry plans to succeed.
Plug it in: Cannabis and energy
Cannabis, when grown inside, is incredibly dependent on fossil fuels.
But, when you’re a grower, growing inside seems like the perfect solution: you can grow your crop year round, in any location, and with the proper lighting technique, your plants will grow faster and larger. What’s not to love?
Well, growing plants without the natural energy from the sun has proved to be both difficult, costly and incredibly energy intensive:
“Nationwide, the electricity used by indoor grows is enough to power 1.7 million homes.”
Fossil fuels supply the indoor grows with heating and cooling capabilities, along with high powered florescent lights that typically stay on 24/7 and none of these actions are close to being sustainable or environmentally friendly.
These technologies are vital to growing cannabis in a country where more and more states are legalizing the substance every year, each day, they take a toll on our country, and planet’s, natural environment and finite resources.
In 2012, a study conduced by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council found that four cannabis plants, which produce an average of five grams per plant, use just as much energy as 29 refrigerators — that’s a lot of burnt coal and carbon emissions for a measly product yield.
On the bright side, as far as cannabis production and energy usage goes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel for cannabis producers and that light just so happens to be the Sun.
By investing in solar panel technologies or simply more efficient light bulbs, or by simply pursuing the growth of cannabis the old fashioned way (outdoors), many grows could save both their energy bills and the planet.
Stand back: Cannabis pesticides aren’t cool
As a consumer, pesticides are usually not something to get excited about, rather they’re something that the majority of society would like to avoid.
When it comes to agriculture, cannabis included, pesticides are common and it is unlikely that they’re going anywhere (at least anytime soon.)
In California, many grows that are both legal and illegal have been caught misusing pesticides, which has made both the cannabis and its growing environment dangerous to both producers and consumers.
In 2011, the U.S. Forest Service removed over 50 pounds of pesticides from around 50 small and illegal grows, which sparked controversy over what cannabis plants, even those that are grown legally, are being treated with.
In order to preserve the plant and its integrity, pesticides are applied throughout the growing process, but often, they’re toxic and detrimental to things like the grower, the consumer and even the soil and run-off water that the excess pesticides come into contact with.
Moving forward: How to get high without disregarding your future or the planet’s
Not all cannabis grows are treated equally.
Some are more sustainable than others by using high-efficiency lights or recycled water, while others are completely wasteful in their practices.
Moving forward, it is vital that both cannabis consumers and producers take the natural environment into consideration when both buying and supplying this resource heavy product.
As legalization continues to spread across the country, sustainable business practices and a triple bottom line will be crucial for this industry’s success and survival.
So, the next time you roll a joint or pick out your favorite strain from your neighborhood dispensary, think about your weed and its journey — it took a lot of time and resources to get it to its last and final stage, so enjoy it, but be an advocate for sustainable change in the cannabis industry. You can’t have weed without water or sunlight (fake or not.)
