How Will the Growing U.S. Marijuana Market Impact the Water Industry?
Published on by Jake B in Social
The legal marijuana market is expanding as recreational and medicinal restrictions are increasingly lifted in the U.S. As a result of this:
- How can environmental regulations keep up with an industry that requires excessive amounts of water and contributes additional runoff of pesticides and other contaminants that threaten water supplies, wildlife, and vegetation?
- Are cultivation practices such as aeroponics and energy-efficient greenhouses enough to offset the environmental impact?
- Does the onus of sustainable practices fall to the growers or the state?
Taxonomy
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Resource Management
- Water Resource Management
- Water Resources
- Sustainable Water Resource Management
- Natural Resource Management
- Irrigation Management
- Resource Management
3 Answers
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This is likely a major agribusiness opportunity for the water industry as cannabis cultivation becomes professionalized state by state with a growing water footprint. Bluefield Research anticipates states will empower regulators to ensure sustainability among growers, as is happening in California. Further analysis summarized here.
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Doesn't the polluter pay and aren't the environmental regulations and pollution prevention measures the same as for similar agricultural activities?
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Two issues here.
Is the water consumption/disruption comparable to what marijuana could displace?
If the industry really takes off, will anyone worry :)?