Is Pot Production Good for the Environment?
There is no limit to the lies that people tell about the benefits of marijuana. One of those is how pot is so environmentally friendly. I’ve taken this data straight from a website called Mother Jones. They have referenced these statistics.
I’ve said numerous times, if you are going to smoke pot, drink alcohol or do other drugs, fine, do it but don’t tell me it is good for you. Or safe. Check out the stats below:
From montherjones.com
24 Mind Blowing Facts About Marijuana Production in America
“You thought your pot came from environmentally conscious hippies? Think again. The way marijuana is grown in America, it turns out, is anything but sustainable and organic. Check out these mind blowing stats, and while you’re at it, read Josh Harkinson’s feature story, ‘The Landscape-Scarring, Energy-Sucking, Wildlife-Killing Reality of Pot Farming.’”
“Of the estimated 22 million pounds of marijuana grown each year on the United States, nearly 80 percent comes from California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii, and Washington.”
“In 2013, California authorities seized 329 outdoor grow sites and hauled away: 1.2 million plants, 119,000 pounds of trash, 17,000 pounds of fertilizer, 40 gallons of pesticides, 244 propane tanks, 61 car batteries, 89 illegal dams and 81 miles of irrigation piping.”
“Trespass grows accounted for 72 percent of outdoor plants seized in California in 2013.”
“Nearly half of the cannabis eradicated by law enforcement nationwide was on public or tribal land.”
“During California’s growing season, outdoor grows consume roughly 60 million gallons of water a day - 50 more than is used by all the residents of San Francisco.”
“An estimated one-third of America’s pot crop is grown indoors.”
“And indoor grow module accommodating 4 plants sucks as much electricity as 29 refrigerators.”
“In California, indoor marijuana grows account for about 9 percent of household electricity use.”
Nationwide, the electricity used by indoor grows is enough to power 1.7 million homes. That’s the equivalent to the output of 7 large power plants.”
“For every pound of pot grown indoors, 4,600 pounds of CO2 goes into the atmosphere.”
“The production and distribution of pot in America emits as much carbon as 3 million cars.”
“The energy to produce a single joint is enough to produce 18 pints of beer and creates emissions comparable to burning a 100 watt light bulb for 25 hours.”
(Sources: Jon Gettman (2006), US Forest Service (California outdoor grow stats include small portions of Oregon and Nevada), Office of National Drug Control Policy, SF Public Utilities Commission, Evan Mills (2012)
