How big is the carbon footprint of marijuana? People are starting to ask that question. Sadly, the answer isn't what everyone would like to hear.
The commercial marijuana industry has a huge impact on the environment. It's energy intensive to the nth degree. A single grow room can have ten 1000 watt bulbs running 18 hours per day. That means lots of energy consumption, and that means big carbon.
It's not going to stay under the radar. In some states medical marijuana dispensaries are required to pay carbon offset fees. And let's face it: your typical weed smoker is likely concerned about the environment and has already put two and two together.
In the old days marijuana was grown outdoors in tropical or semi-tropical countries. From there it was imported to North America and Europe. It didn't take long, though, for people to start growing their own. This wasn't a problem, from a green standpoint, when it was small scale and outdoor.
But the money took over. The indoor grow industry was born, and it took off. Energy use sky rocketed with high intensity lights. Chemicals were used to help maximize the harvest. Fuel was trucked into the back country to run generators.
As the laws prohibiting marijuana relax the suppliers have gone to work. Growing has become an industry, and it has support industries. And whether the electricity comes from an off grid diesel generator or a coal fired plant, the fact is that grow ops use tons of electricity.
The lights, pumps, fans, smell suppressors, irrigation systems - they all have an impact and contribute to the carbon footprint of each joint. Billion dollar industries (and that's what marijuana cultivation is) use billions of dollars in energy. What uses more energy? A home and a car or a grow house? Some estimate the carbon footprint of a single joint at 2 pounds!
Obviously moving back to outdoor growing would reduce the carbon footprint of weed. That move is problematic, though. Laws are too haphazard, and open to various interpretations. Different levels of government treat the herb differently. Additionally, outdoor cultivation is more exposed to theft.
Many recognize a difference between high production cultivation for profit and small scale medicinal growers. A patient growing a few plants in a closet is still an indoor grower, but the absolute impact is less. It's also more understandable, as they often lack alternative supplies. That isn't the case with pure for-profit big shows.
We could make progress on the green front by legalizing small scale outdoor grows for personal use. Anything to depress prices held up by prohibition is good. Less crime is an admirable goal. The benefits would be manifest.
The commercial marijuana industry has a huge impact on the environment. It's energy intensive to the nth degree. A single grow room can have ten 1000 watt bulbs running 18 hours per day. That means lots of energy consumption, and that means big carbon.
It's not going to stay under the radar. In some states medical marijuana dispensaries are required to pay carbon offset fees. And let's face it: your typical weed smoker is likely concerned about the environment and has already put two and two together.
In the old days marijuana was grown outdoors in tropical or semi-tropical countries. From there it was imported to North America and Europe. It didn't take long, though, for people to start growing their own. This wasn't a problem, from a green standpoint, when it was small scale and outdoor.
But the money took over. The indoor grow industry was born, and it took off. Energy use sky rocketed with high intensity lights. Chemicals were used to help maximize the harvest. Fuel was trucked into the back country to run generators.
As the laws prohibiting marijuana relax the suppliers have gone to work. Growing has become an industry, and it has support industries. And whether the electricity comes from an off grid diesel generator or a coal fired plant, the fact is that grow ops use tons of electricity.
The lights, pumps, fans, smell suppressors, irrigation systems - they all have an impact and contribute to the carbon footprint of each joint. Billion dollar industries (and that's what marijuana cultivation is) use billions of dollars in energy. What uses more energy? A home and a car or a grow house? Some estimate the carbon footprint of a single joint at 2 pounds!
Obviously moving back to outdoor growing would reduce the carbon footprint of weed. That move is problematic, though. Laws are too haphazard, and open to various interpretations. Different levels of government treat the herb differently. Additionally, outdoor cultivation is more exposed to theft.
Many recognize a difference between high production cultivation for profit and small scale medicinal growers. A patient growing a few plants in a closet is still an indoor grower, but the absolute impact is less. It's also more understandable, as they often lack alternative supplies. That isn't the case with pure for-profit big shows.
We could make progress on the green front by legalizing small scale outdoor grows for personal use. Anything to depress prices held up by prohibition is good. Less crime is an admirable goal. The benefits would be manifest.
About the Author:
Have you ever asked the question:how do you grow marijuana? Castulo Zane is well versed in the ways to grow marijuana.
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