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How Cannabis Could Help Save Our Planet
We love our mother earth. She has given us the gift of life and provided us with so much beyond that. What could we possibly do to thank our planet? Sadly, she is suffering and needs our help, which is a great place to start.
Sustainability is a vital step toward saving our planet. We all know climate change is a very real, very serious issue, and it's important that we all do our part to help heal mother earth. It's not just for us — it's also for the sake of future generations. After all, community is what is most important to us.
But this is a cannabis dispensary. You may be wondering why we're discussing environmental sustainability instead of terpenes and cannabinoids. Well, not only do we care deeply about our planet, but it just so happens that cannabis could play a vital role in reducing our carbon footprint. It's just one of the many reasons why we love this plant. But how, exactly, could cannabis help save our planet, you may ask? Let's discuss!
Greener Farming With Hemp
We should all know by now how versatile hemp is. It can be used to make so many materials, including fabric, rope, concrete, and even auto fuel. Hemp-based products could offer an eco-friendly alternative to cotton, wood, plastics, goods made from petroleum, and more. It's a fast-growing plant that isn't just environmentally sound to cultivate, but it naturally restores balance by returning carbon to the soil and absorbing harmful metals from the ground. But that's not all! Hemp grows in such abundance that it can prevent weeds from creeping into your crops, thus reducing the need for herbicide. Research has revealed that hemp can also facilitate the growth of other crops. This is likely a result of fewer weeds and cleaner soil.
While most plants recycle carbon through their natural decomposition cycles, experts believe that hemp may be able to take in greater amounts than other crops. In fact, this plant is so good at absorbing harmful agents from the ground that it was planted in the area where the Chernobyl nuclear accident took place in order to remove deadly toxins from the soil. This is known as phytoremediation — a process that cleans up everything from pesticides to nuclear residue, and hemp is considered the most effective plant for such a job.
It can also be cultivated in just about any environment, so farmers could raise hemp in places where it may be challenging to grow other plants.
Less Land, Less Water
Because of its versatility, hemp lowers the need for other crops (and even livestock), which could cut down on land used for farming. This means that we’d see less deforestation for agricultural purposes, which would also help lower emissions. Reducing the amount of land designated for farming is considered one of the most significant ways to address rising global temperatures.
This form of cannabis also requires far less water than other crops. For example, you'll need roughly 1400 gallons of water to yield cotton, whereas you can cultivate hemp with as little as 80 gallons. Not only that, but you can extract way more fiber from hemp plants — as much as 250% more than its cotton competitor. And that's with the same sized plot. Naturally, this makes it cheaper to farm, adding even more incentive to normalizing cannabis in the agriculture industry.
Products That Are Kinder to Our Planet
The products made from hemp offer far more eco-friendly alternatives. Consider plastic, which may take as long as an entire millennium to begin breaking down. Bioplastics made from hemp, on the other hand, are biodegradable, which would mean less waste in our landfills. Also, they are produced in a way that is less taxing on the environment.
Fabrics made from hemp are incredibly durable, and they're much safer to produce. The fibers in this plant are naturally resistant to pests, which cuts the need for pesticides in half. And, of course, hemp is rich in protein, offering a great alternative to animal products.
As you can see, there are many compelling reasons for the agriculture industry to embrace cannabis as a valuable crop. It could very well be a key player in saving our planet. But could hemp alone be the remedy the earth needs?
While we do love this plant, it's important to understand that cannabis farming cannot reverse climate change on its own. Instead, we must recognize it as a crucial piece of the overall puzzle; an incredible resource that, in conjunction with other actions, could help us restore our planet to a cleaner and healthier state. With this in mind, the fight for legitimizing cannabis becomes even more important. It's not just for our enjoyment and wellbeing — it's for the sake of the entire world.
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