The Buzz Around The Cannabis Industry Keeps Growing But It Is Creating New Environmental Concerns

DENVER, CO – JANUARY 13: Trimmers sort and trim marijuana plants at the LivWell Enlightened Health … [+] The news in Washington is now centered on whether a new U.S. Supreme Court justice will get a vote before next January. But the real “buzz” is about whether the U.S. House will approve a bill to legalize cannabis this month. The states are now empowered to regulate cannabis use. And 14 jurisdictions have legalized the drug for recreational use while 33 have done so for medical purposes. And if those businesses continue to expand, it would create new opportunities for utilities to increase their electricity sales. As with any new enterprise, though, the cannabis industry is learning as it goes along. A decade ago, state regulators were focused on safety and security. But they are now trying to add a layer of protection and one centered on sustainability. “If we decriminalize at the federal level without providing the proper regulatory structure, it might result in a negative environmental impact,” says Kaitlin Urso, environmental consultant for Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, in an interview with this writer. “Marijuana is now strictly controlled by the states. Without the right regulatory […]

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