Economic vs Environmental: The Balancing Act of Cannabis Users
In the rapidly expanding industry of cannabis, one intriguing question is beginning to surface: do marijuana consumers prioritize cost over sustainability? As the burgeoning market for medical marijuana continues to evolve, so too does the understanding of consumer behavior and their motivation.
Everyone from researchers, to activists and entrepreneurs like those at MMJ.com, who provide access to medical marijuana cards in different parts of the United States, are keen to unravel the dichotomy of price and planet in the habits of cannabis users especially at the time of both new patient sign up phase and renewals.
What Does the Data Show?
A study published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology in 2020 showed that marijuana cultivation (both legal and illegal) has a substantial carbon footprint, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Legal production methods, while more efficient, still have considerable electrical and heating needs, largely due to the indoor growing environments preferred for quality control.
With this knowledge, you’d think environmentally conscious cannabis consumers would opt for sustainably grown products. However, available purchase data tells a different story. Consumers appear to be prioritizing their wallets over the planet. They consistently choose lower-priced cannabis products, often cultivated using environmentally harmful methods. The carbon footprint of a gram of cannabis cultivated indoors can be as high as that of seven kilos of coal, according to the aforementioned study.
Exploring The Price vs Planet Conundrum
The psychology behind why consumers prioritise cost over sustainability is complex. One hypothesis is that the illegal status of marijuana in many areas and the associated premium price on legal products exacerbates the cost barrier for consumers.
In states where marijuana is legal and regulated, the legal market must compete with the still-thriving black market, which offers comparatively inexpensive products without consequences of tax burden or the cost of following environmental regulations.
Towards a Sustainable Future
- Transparent and clear labeling about the environmental footprint of products can potentially nudge consumers towards more sustainable choices.
- Government incentives and subsidies for environmentally friendly cultivation practices could lower the prices of sustainable marijuana products.
- Climate-friendly cultivation methods should be promoted and possibly enforced.
- As an industry, it’s also important to invest in more research, understanding, and education about sustainable cannabis products.
Notably, California, one of the largest cannabis markets in the world, has initiated moves towards more sustainable practices, including planned transitions to renewable energy for certain cultivation practices. However, much remains to be done to adequately balance the cost-environment equation in the cannabis industry.
Consumer Responsibility and Proactivity
While legislation, industry practices, and the market are all key in driving more sustainable practices in cannabis cultivation, end users also need to play a part. Consumers should consider not just the price of the cannabis product but also its environmental toll. Such an approach would help foster a wider market for sustainable cannabis and encourage producers to factor in environmental considerations in their cultivation practices.
Whether it’s by obtaining your New Mexico or Connecticut medical marijuana card online through a reliable source like MMJ.com or researching the best practices in cannabis cultivation for your home-grown plants, every step counts in making our planet a little healthier. Remember – your choice can make a difference!
