Posted on 04/16/2011 10:04:09 AM PDT by gitmo
Weed may not be as green as you think.
Indoor marijuana growing operations in the United States are massive energy hogs, consuming some $5 billion worth of electricity each year, according to a new report.
That’s about 1 percent of the nation’s total power consumption.
The problem, according to efficiency firm Energy Associates, is that the pot industry is almost entirely prohibited in the U.S., keeping it hidden from regulators and, by extension, efficiencies in agricultural production.
Study author and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientist Evan Mills writes that the average grow operation approaches 200 watts per square foot — enough to power a modern data center.
What’s more, a single joint contains the equivalent of about 2 lbs. of carbon dioxide emissions.
If improved practices applicable to commercial agricultural greenhouses are any indication, such large amounts of energy are not required for indoor cannabis production. Cost-effective efficiency improvements of 75 percent are conceivable.
Marijuana is considered the nation’s largest cash crop, with an estimated production value of $40 billion annually. At that scale, energy savings are significant: California’s indoor cultivation alone results in a carbon emissions equivalent of putting an additional 1 million cars on the road for a year.
It’s an interesting catch-22: if an industry is out of sight, can it really be regulated?
I find this 1% figure very hard to believe.
Indoor marijuana growing operations in the United States are massive energy hogs, consuming some $5 billion worth of electricity each yearGlobal warming hoax alert.
$40 Billion industry?
I doubt the validity of that number.
That is $133 of domestic cannibis for every man, woman and child in the country, not including imports.
The number only makes sense if America is exporting a lot of pot.
Isn’t it time to end the insanity?
Oh wait. That would harm the huge law enforcement and incarceration “industries” that have “grown” up around the War on Drugs. Can’t have all those jobless judges, bailiffs, court stenos, prison hacks and police officers wandering around looking for jobs. And...
Oh wait. I’m sure Obozo could find them jobs in his private security force. Can you say “Gestapo?”
I would say there are a couple of observations to make here. First, it’s virtually worthless (limited profit) to import marijuana today. Growth throughout the US sustains requirements. Second...in Alabama, it’s generally regarded as the second crop after cotton. Third...as for how much is actually spent per year? Its really hard to come to such a number. I don’t know how you’d agree on accuracy for this kind of detail.
As soon as the boomers die off, marijuana will become legal. Conservatives old enough to rememeber the 60s hate hippies and hippie culture, and will cling to anti-hippie laws as long as they’re alive.
The WOD is a jobs program for thugs in the public employee unions. They will never get off this gravy train without a fight.
My prediction: Janet will find a WOD mission for DHS.
Growth throughout the US sustains requirements
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I’m sure that America has the ability to be self sufficient in reefer and growing it domestically is a lot less risky for the entrepenuers.
But the DEA and others are still reporting the capture of sizable shipments from abroad across the Mexican frontier.
I don’t understand why medical marijuana laws don’t require scripts from a doctor and the patient goes to a pharmacy to pick it up like any other drug. The plants could be grown in a controlled environment. All other plants would still be illegal just as before. Actually, the THC should be extracted and put into a pill for extract instead of smoked, which has to be hazzardous to the lungs. And the “danger” of second-hand smoke.
Yeah, I always wonder where these numbers come from. Personally, I wouldn’t touch them without rubber gloves.
Shortly after 9/11 when many military installations were having new or upgraded fences installed, the construction crews found marijuana patches on several installations. When they were clearing the fence lines, they found water hoses going into the woods to the marijuana patches from nearby homes. All they had to do was follow the hose to the house and the owners were arrested.
So, do you think each state should have authority to make such determinations under the Tenth Amendment? Or, do you personally think fedgov is justified using the Commerce Clause to override the states in this matter?
Yes it is because look what is happenig here in rural Ohio:
http://www.whiznews.com/content/news/local/2011/04/15/muskingum-county-prime-for-drug-cartel
I just think mind altering drugs should be outlawed. It should be part of the state law where medical marijuana was legalized.
You got a point. Law enforcement needs a lot of help. Except for shooting dogs.
I wonder if they can have patches for marijuana, to help someone wean off the drug.
Study author and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory scientist Evan Mills writes that the average grow operation approaches 200 watts per square foot — enough to power a modern data center. AT that rate, wouldn’t it be suspicious based on someone’s utility bills?
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