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.
Growing marijuana in a big way is energy intensive. High intensity lights that attempt to mimic the sun are the biggest culprits. A typical grow room can use 180,000 khw er day.
The issue won't be swept under the rug. Most pot smokers are also environmentally sensitive, at least more so that the local NASCAR enthusiast. And, some jurisdictions already require legal pot growers to pay carbon offsets.
In the hippy days pot was imported from Mexico or Colombia, or Asia. It was grown outdoors the old fashioned way. When people in North America and Europe started growing it they started small and outdoors.
But, greed is a terrible thing. Indoor growing under lights was developed. Wattage and chemical use was increased to maximize yield. Off grid indoor gardens, in barns or in buried containers, required fuel to be trucked in for generators.
There are 16 US states that have allowed some sort of medical marijuana, and 25 that have decriminalized possession. In Canada marijuana cultivation is widespread. A huge industry has grown up just to supply growers with lights, fans, hydroponic systems and much, much more. Those grow shows suck up lots of energy.
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!
Growing outside clearly would reduce the impact. But, being outside is not low profile. While county and state laws may permit marijuana cultivation, in the US federal law still doesn't. Theft of crop is also a danger.
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.
Legalization would help. Cultivation for personal use could become widespread, depressing prices and allowing outdoor growing. That would be good for everyone, from users to law enforcement to environmentalists.
Growing marijuana in a big way is energy intensive. High intensity lights that attempt to mimic the sun are the biggest culprits. A typical grow room can use 180,000 khw er day.
The issue won't be swept under the rug. Most pot smokers are also environmentally sensitive, at least more so that the local NASCAR enthusiast. And, some jurisdictions already require legal pot growers to pay carbon offsets.
In the hippy days pot was imported from Mexico or Colombia, or Asia. It was grown outdoors the old fashioned way. When people in North America and Europe started growing it they started small and outdoors.
But, greed is a terrible thing. Indoor growing under lights was developed. Wattage and chemical use was increased to maximize yield. Off grid indoor gardens, in barns or in buried containers, required fuel to be trucked in for generators.
There are 16 US states that have allowed some sort of medical marijuana, and 25 that have decriminalized possession. In Canada marijuana cultivation is widespread. A huge industry has grown up just to supply growers with lights, fans, hydroponic systems and much, much more. Those grow shows suck up lots of energy.
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!
Growing outside clearly would reduce the impact. But, being outside is not low profile. While county and state laws may permit marijuana cultivation, in the US federal law still doesn't. Theft of crop is also a danger.
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.
Legalization would help. Cultivation for personal use could become widespread, depressing prices and allowing outdoor growing. That would be good for everyone, from users to law enforcement to environmentalists.
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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