Strategies to ensure sustainable cannabis production

Cannabis growers, regardless of where they are, should practise environmentally responsible cultivation methods. This is not only the right thing to do; it’s ultimately more profitable, says Thomas Walker.

- Thomas Walker

Growing awareness of climate change, the importance of biodiversity and the need to preserve natural resources has seen farmers everywhere under increasing pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly production methods. Cannabis is no exception. In this article, we'll explore some of the strategies and best practices for sustainable cannabis cultivation.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Many cannabis producers grow their crop in a controlled environment, which requires significant amounts of energy for lighting and climate control. As a result, they tend to rely heavily on fossil fuels to power their operations, and this in turn contributes to air pollution and climate change.

Switching to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power can significantly reduce an operation's carbon footprint and help to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

The good news is that the cost of renewable energy is dropping, and will continue to do so for several more years. This makes the switch to renewables ever more attractive.

One of the best ways to reduce energy consumption is to use LED lighting, which uses up to 60% less energy than traditional lighting. In addition, LED lights produce less heat, which means less energy is needed for cooling.

Another way to reduce energy consumption is to use natural sunlight wherever possible.