Regennabis, a leading ESG and sustainability advisory firm in the global cannabis industry and organizer of the annual Regenerative Cannabis Live conference at the United Nations, released a new report outlining the challenges indoor growers face from a sustainability perspective and steps that are being taken to create a framework for meaningful resource-use efficiency.
Regennabis developed the Resource Use Efficiency in the Cannabis Industry report with support from Hawthorne Gardening Company, the leading provider of nutrients, lighting and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing industry. It is available for download here.
The report comes at a critical time, especially considering that the need for resource use efficiency has never been greater. Yet for the emerging cannabis industry, there is a lack of sustainability standards grounded in meaningful and consistent data. As a result, many companies within the cannabis space are undertaking their own initiatives to reduce energy consumption and improve their environmental footprint, from use of LED lighting to more efficient water use.
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The emerging cannabis sector has an opportunity to create an industry that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Addressing sustainability in a more uniform manner takes on greater importance as more states move to legalize cannabis. Unfortunately, the report said, the scattered approach to legalization has created large gaps in sustainability practices.
A goal of the report is to initiate discussions particularly in relation to indoor growing, a method that is experiencing increased activity, scrutiny and opportunity.
“Regennabis strives to bring together policy makers, industry leaders and social justice advocates to elevate the need for information sharing and deeper-level discussion on sustainability in the cannabis industry,” said Patrick McCartan, co-founder and CEO of Regennabis, based in San Francisco, Calif. “What many people don’t realize is that this industry is moving fast toward sustainability. This report highlights those advancements but also addresses the many challenges that still exist.”
The report notes that the responsibility for resource use efficiency does not lay solely on cannabis producers. Those who supply the growers play a major role in driving a more sustainable cannabis industry through affordable growing products that reduce the environmental impact.