Two lawmakers are asking about the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation, and they’re recommending that a study be conducted to investigate the matter. According to media reports, “Republican Reps. Earl Carter of Georgia and Doug Lamborn of Colorado wrote in a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner that ‘the American people must have a better understanding of the environmental costs of this rapidly growing industry.’”
Even though this question is clearly designed to be yet another hurdle for cannabis reform, it’s still a legitimate one. Cannabis can be cultivated in harmony with nature, but it can also strip the land of natural resources while leaving behind an incredibly toxic footprint on the surrounding environment if done incorrectly. Let’s explore the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation.
Legal Cannabis Operations vs. Illegal Cannabis Grows
Legal cannabis operations are held accountable for their actions. Illegal cannabis grows are only liable when someone gets busted. Illegal cannabis grows can leave a devastating mark on the environment due to the use of chemicals that are banned in the production of legal cannabis. Some people will put anything on cannabis to help it produce larger yields. Here are some of the pesticides that are not permitted to be used on cannabis crops in the state of California:
- Aldicarb DDVP (Dichlorvos)
- Paclobutrazol
- Carbofuran
- Etofenprox
- Chlordane
- Fenoxycarb
- Spiroxamine
- Thiacloprid
- Methyl parathion
- Daminozide
Illegal cannabis grows will often steal power, divert natural water resources, clear trees, leave garbage scattered around the surrounding area, and/or pump harmful chemicals into the environment that hurt the ecosystem. Another supposedly big issue with cannabis legalization in America is the potential increase in power consumption across the nation. Cannabis grows—legal and illegal alike—require high amounts of electricity. Some estimates suggest that if cannabis were legal in America, the demand for electricity could increase by as much as 65%.
Published: October 25, 2022
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