Growing cannabis can be a resource-intensive crop. Often, it requires a lot of fertilization, fuel for heating, and lots and lots of lighting. The Washington Post reports that marijuana is one of the worst crops to grow when it comes to the environment. In fact, the average kilogram of marijuana ends up costing over 4,000 kgs of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of nearly three million U.S. cars.
Because of this, green growing solutions are better for commercial cannabis ventures such as medical marijuana dispensaries. Sustainably-produced marijuana can often be more cost-effective in the long run and be better for the environment as well.
Use Natural Light Instead of Using Electric Lighting
The major advantage of using a greenhouse to grow cannabis is the energy and physical cost savings. While it is a little more technical to set up, expert growers can demonstrate how to use a greenhouse to cut out all of the waste that comes from using electric lighting. Natural sunlight contains all the light needed to successfully grow marijuana, even if it is a bit more difficult logistically. Once set up, however, it’s not only better for the environment and better for your plants – it’s better for your wallet!
Use Natural Inputs Such As Organic Fertilizers
Using organic fertilizer is a little more expensive, but synthetic fertilizers are petroleum-based, making their environmental impact far worse than natural. Petroleum-based fertilizers effectively require the same fuel used for automotive vehicles for plant growth. Organic fertilizers will substantially reduce your carbon footprint in production. And just as important, you’re not putting potential pollutants in your plants!
Make Use of Tissue Culturing For Better Growth
Tissue culturing is a relatively recent science which involves growing a part of the plant without growing the entire organism. As strange as it sounds, plants naturally grow on their own, and their cells are autonomous. Tissue culturing takes the best cells and grows them on their own, thus saving space and reducing grower’s worries about plants being hit by disease. Tissue culturing is stable, safe, produces excellent yield, and due to the conditions needed to create it, it is one of the most effective ways to produce quality and consistent crop. Marijuana-specific tissue culturing is available, and has been used with proven results.
By following these simply suggestions, you can greatly reduce the environmental footprint of your medical cannabis operation and become a leader in the cannabis industry.