0:00
Growing marijuana in the United States demands a lot of the nation's electricity
0:04
using more power than the cryptocurrency mining sector or all other crops combined
0:09
We've told you before about the significant energy requirements of the U.S. cannabis cultivation industry
0:15
but now experts are exploring ways to make these operations more environmentally friendly
0:20
A senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found American cannabis production
0:25
significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions at a level equivalent to. that of 10 million cars. That's because two-thirds of U.S. cannabis is grown indoors with
0:36
artificial lighting, climate control, and irrigation systems requiring large amounts of electricity
0:41
For a daily user who buys indoor-grown cannabis, their marijuana's carbon footprint is nearly half
0:47
that of their entire home. Shifting production outside could reduce emissions by as much as 75%
0:54
But this change presents challenges for growers who say it's difficult to make high-quality products
0:59
in an outdoor environment where weather and pests are unpredictable. In some cases, indoor cannabis can be up to 10 times more profitable than outdoor cannabis
1:09
So, many marijuana businesses are instead investing in energy-efficient technologies for their
1:14
indoor operations, upgrading to LED lighting, improving energy management, and sourcing renewable power to reduce their carbon footprint
1:22
In Boulder, Colorado, local officials implemented a power surcharge on cannabis growers to fund
1:28
sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency consultants and electrical monitoring equipment for grow houses. Other cities, including Denver, Portland, Boston, and San Francisco have also
1:40
enacted regulations to reduce cannabis-related emissions, attempting to promote long-term sustainability for the industry. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Jack Almer
