US cannabis cultivation generates emissions equivalent to 10M vehicles  

Growing marijuana in the United States demands a lot of the nation's electricity

using more power than the cryptocurrency mining sector or all other crops combined

We've told you before about the significant energy requirements of the U.S. cannabis cultivation industry

but now experts are exploring ways to make these operations more environmentally friendly

A senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found American cannabis production

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

artificial lighting, climate control, and irrigation systems requiring large amounts of electricity

For a daily user who buys indoor-grown cannabis, their marijuana's carbon footprint is nearly half

that of their entire home. Shifting production outside could reduce emissions by as much as 75%

But this change presents challenges for growers who say it's difficult to make high-quality products

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

So, many marijuana businesses are instead investing in energy-efficient technologies for their

indoor operations, upgrading to LED lighting, improving energy management, and sourcing renewable power to reduce their carbon footprint

In Boulder, Colorado, local officials implemented a power surcharge on cannabis growers to fund

sustainability initiatives, including energy efficiency consultants and electrical monitoring equipment for grow houses. Other cities, including Denver, Portland, Boston, and San Francisco have also

enacted regulations to reduce cannabis-related emissions, attempting to promote long-term sustainability for the industry. For Straight Arrow News, I'm Jack Almer