Glass Pharms utilizes an anaerobic digestion plant for all its power and heat needs, making its cannabis production carbon-neutral.
The company's approach could pave the way for sustainable practices in energy-intensive horticulture amid climate challenges.
This innovation is particularly significant given the high energy demands and carbon footprint of traditional indoor cannabis cultivation.
Key quote:
"If we don’t do this – this kind of horticulture where the design of the greenhouse from its very fundamental principles is designed to be as energy efficient as possible – a future without salad is a real possibility for the country."
— Mark Heley, head of external relations, Glass Pharms
Why this matters:
Glass Pharms' breakthrough in carbon-neutral cannabis cultivation highlights the potential for sustainable practices in agriculture, especially in sectors with high energy demands. This development is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of horticulture and ensuring food security in the face of climate change.
Two GOP congressmen have issued a letter to four major cabinet heads urging lawmakers to study the environmental impacts of growing cannabis before Congress continues to discuss legalization initiatives.
The Climate Change Bureau will be the first in New Mexico state history and will lead the department’s climate change initiatives, including legislative, regulatory, and compliance initiatives.
Both the legal and illegal cannabis markets are linked to environmental challenges such as freshwater use, land-use change, toxic and nutrient pollution, and climate change-contributing CO2 emissions.
Cannabis giant Canopy Growth has reported its emissions for the first time, revealing its energy use was equivalent to burning more than 65 million pounds of coal in 2020.
