Growing cannabis indoors has a big climate impact, so why doesn’t the industry go outside?
Combined with an electricity grid heavy on fossil fuels, researchers found growing indoor cannabis in Colorado creates almost 50% more emissions than an equivalent.
Author: Sam Brasch (Colorado Public Radio News)
Published: 7:54 AM MDT April 7, 2021
Updated: 7:54 AM MDT April 7, 2021
DENVER — Chris Baca wants to be upfront about the climate impact of his warehouse.
As the operations manager for The Clinic, a Denver-based dispensary, Baca has turned the windowless space in south Denver into a plant paradise. He said the trick has been to mimic the outdoor environment. Artificial lights fill the role of the sun. Fans pull in fresh air. Pumps feed water nutrients to hundreds of sprouts lined up along long tables.