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Concerns have been raised about the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the growth of cannabis. This has sparked a new movement for environmentalism that calls on cannabis users and producers alike to reduce waste.
Fortunately, many people in the industry were quick to address this problem. Both growers as well as dispensaries have come up multiple ways to make and consume cannabis while reducing their carbon footprint.
Here, we’ve spotlighted a few ways you can reduce waste as a cannabis consumer.
1. Support eco-friendly marijuana companies
Companies that take clear steps to reduce the environmental impact of their products are one way to support environmentalism. Many cannabis producers use sustainable cultivation methods and reusable or recyclable packaging. Some offer special incentives to customers who bring their bags back for reuse.
If you are legally allowed to do soGrow your ownGrowing cannabis in your garden could be a great option. Some of the biggest reasons for cannabis’ environmental impact has to do with the practice of growing it inside a greenhouse. Growing marijuana indoors requires artificial heat and light control, which consumes a lot of energy. However, cannabis can be grown outdoors at the will of the elements and without electricity.
2. Recycle what you can
Recycling cannabis packaging can help reduce your waste. The good news is that cannabis is often sold in recyclable or reusable packaging, so there’s less to do on your end.
If you’re having trouble deciding whether the packaging is or isn’t reusable, you can usually find an answer on the package itself. If you can’t find an answer on the package, the employees at the dispensary should be able to tell you.
3. Be mindful
In 2003 a Chinese pharmacistnamed Hon LikE-cigarettes were invented, also known as vape pens. While originally designed for tobacco, marijuana consumers discovered ways to smoke cannabis with them.
Vape pens have a few environmental advantages that traditional cigarettes don’t. The biggest one is that they’re rechargeable, so it doesn’t leave behind papers and other trash, nor does it take much power to recharge. However, vape pens are still a somewhat new product, so we don’t know much about their effects on people and there are someSerious health concernsThey are connected to them.
Use edibles is another sustainable option that can be safer and more sustainable. Since edibles aren’t smoked, they usually don’t create extra trash.
If you’re a cannabis user who’s concerned about their environmental impact, there are ways to reduce waste. We’ve discussed a few of them here, but there’s always more we can do on both an individual and corporate level to protect the planet. While no one can do it all and we all have the potential to make a difference, we can all help where we can.
