Cannabis cultivation has been a notable part of California’s culture for decades, from clandestine grows in the Emerald Triangle to present-day commercial operations that produce tens of thousands of pounds each year. With legalization came a promise of regulation: safer products, a more stable industry and environmental accountability.
However, the commercial cannabis industry is still relatively new and somewhat controversial in terms of its environmental impact. With the expansion of enforcement across the state, it’s now more important than ever to understand the ecological impacts of cannabis cultivation, as well as the opportunities for more sustainable practices.
A Brief History: From the Shadows to the Spotlight
Before 1996 when California legalized medical cannabis and 2016 when it legalized recreational use, cultivation was entirely illegal. Many growers, especially in Northern California’s remote Emerald Triangle, an area that encompasses the counties of Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino, would cut down trees and divert water from sensitive watercourses to cultivate cannabis in secret.
The environmental impacts of these unregulated operations were significant: illegal grading, pesticide use, deforestation and streambed alteration were common. These grows were hidden and unpermitted, so there was little oversight and incentive for sustainable practices.
Now, under California’s regulatory framework, commercial cannabis cultivators have to comply with environmental laws around as water use, erosion control and waste disposal. However, moving from black market operations to full compliance hasn’t been easy.
Cannabis Cultivation and the Environment: Key Environmental Impacts
Cannabis cultivation, even when regulated at scale, can be significantly damaging to the environment if it’s not managed well. Below are some of the most significant areas of concern:
1. Water Use and Diversion
Cannabis is a thirsty crop. According to research by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), a single plant can consume as much as 6 gallons of water per day during the peak summer months of cultivation. For example, in areas like Trinity, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties, where water is scarce during the dry months, this puts a lot of pressure on already delicate ecosystems.
Creeks and springs not only suffer from unpermitted water diversions, which deprive streamflow and harm aquatic species but underground rivers tapped by groundwater wells do, too. Even the permitted cultivators have to ensure that they get water legally, store it properly and do not exhaust the shared pool.
2. Land Clearing and Habitat Disruption
The development of a cultivation site, whether it be for outdoor, mixed-light or indoor operations, often entails leveling the ground and clearing the land, both of which can raise the levels of soil erosion and sedimentation in water bodies if present in the surrounding area. In forested or mountainous regions, this can lead to the disruption of wildlife habitats and the spread of invasive species.
Cultivation sites that aren’t designed with proper drainage or erosion control measures can cause large amounts of soil to be washed down during heavy rains and choke creeks, ultimately lowering water quality. In accordance with CDFW’s Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSAA) program, cultivators need permits to alter riparian zones, but enforcement isn’t always equal.
3. Chemical Use: Pesticides and Fertilizers
Since commercial cannabis products sold have to be free of contaminants, improper or careless use and storage of agricultural chemicals can cause runoff that harms local plants and animals. In some unlicensed cultivations, poisonous rodenticides, pesticides, and herbicides have been used to deter pests, which, in turn, poison animals further up the food chain.
Additionally, over-fertilization can cause nutrient-rich runoff, which contributes to algal blooms and poor water quality downstream.
4. Waste Management
Cannabis cultivation produces a surprising amount of waste such soil bags, irrigation lines, plastic pots, trellis netting and biomass. If not managed correctly, these materials end up in waterways, on public lands or burned illegally.
Licensed outdoor and mixed-light cultivators are required to create and comply with Site Management Plans, a technical report required by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). This plan details how the cultivator will manage on-site waste and erosion, discharge of sediment and waste offsite, and water storage and use relating to operations. However, with changing regulations and limited disposal facilities in rural areas, compliance can be hit or miss.
5. Energy Consumption (for Indoor Cultivation)
On the other hand, indoor cultivation poses another problem: power consumption. Indoor operations use high-intensity lighting, HVAC systems, dehumidifiers and other equipment that can result in huge energy demands.
In fact, a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory revealed that legalized indoor cannabis cultivation accounts for 1% of total electricity use in the US, a figure that has likely risen since 2016. If cultivators don’t invest in energy-efficient or renewable energy technology, this can lead to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
How Regulations Aim to Address These Impacts
Cannabis regulations in California, set by the Department of Cannabis Control and enforced in collaboration with the regional Water Boards, CDFW and local permitting agencies, encompass a broad range of environmental rules:
CEQA Compliance: Cultivation sites have to go through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review to identify and address possible environmental impacts.
Water Board Enrollment: Cultivators must enroll in the Cannabis General Order to ensure that waste and runoff is handled and sediment discharge is mitigated.
LSAA Permits: Any work that is done in or near streams, including culvert installation, bank stabilization or water diversion, requires this permit.
Track-and-Trace (METRC): METRC allows regulators to track cannabis from seed to sale in an effort to mitigate the diversion of product onto the illegal market, as well unpermitted product from entering the market.
Nonetheless, there are still enforcement gaps, especially in rural counties that have limited resources. Others decline to comply with regulations because permitting is costly and complicated, and many cultivators remain unlicensed.
A Way Forward for Sustainable Cultivation: What the Industry Can Do
The good news? Many cultivators are already working hard to minimize their impact on the environment and become more sustainable. Here are a few promising practices:
Rainwater Harvesting: Harvesting and storing rainwater in the wet season minimizes the need for summer water diversions. This is often done in large, engineered rain-catchment ponds.
Solar Power: Converting to solar arrays for indoor, mixed-light, and even outdoor cultivation is cost-effective and reduces energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Living Soil Systems: Organic compost and natural amendments rather than synthetic fertilizers can help maintain healthy soils and decrease runoff.
Permaculture Design: Creating grow sites with natural topography, swales, and plant buffers reduces soil erosion and protects local ecosystems.
Community Engagement: Working with local governments, tribes and environmental organizations enhances transparency and shared stewardship.
Conclusion: A Greener Future for Cannabis?
California’s cannabis industry may be more so in its toddler stage rather than infancy with regard to its approach to the environment. However, legalization has provided for better oversight and environmental safeguards, and there’s still much work to be done to make cannabis cultivation truly sustainable.
The point where agriculture, industry and ecology meet, cannabis production offers threats and possibilities. With careful planning, extensive compliance and stewardship, the industry can assist in the direction of more resilient and responsible land use in California and nationwide.
The key is simple: legal doesn’t always mean sustainable — but it can.