The most typical defense for marijuana legalization is the medical benefits of cannabis, which was acknowledged by health institutions, like the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Other uses of marijuana include raising revenues of local government and solving social justice issues. Unknown to some, marijuana legalization also provides help in the environment. Here are six reasons why legalizing marijuana is good for the environment.
- No More Illegal Growing
Legalizing marijuana allows people to grow cannabis more freely and less costly. Even though planting marijuana is already expensive as it is, hiding them also worsen tasks more. Illegal growers have to take extra measures as they consume even more resources to grow marijuana. Making cannabis legal helps lower its cost, as growers can contribute to sustainable energy practices that are beneficial to the environment.
- No More Harmful Weed Destruction
Police officers and federal agents confiscate and aim to eradicate marijuana in countries where it is not yet legal. After confiscation, they destroy marijuana by spraying the illegal cannabis with herbicides then set it on fire. The smoke emitted by burnt marijuana can cause harm to the environment as it can mess not only with plants, animals, and humans but also to the earth’s atmosphere.
- Hemp is Beneficial to Soil
Farmers prefer fiber-grown cannabis plant as one of the best crops to grow from an environmental point-of-view as it grows faster than other crops. Hemp is also beneficial to farmers as it helps remove toxins, break down, and fills the soil with nutrients once it has fully grown already. Legalizing marijuana can make hemp farming even more popular.
- No More Public Land Disturbance
Growing marijuana illegally needs public forests and woods, especially in remote areas, to keep it hidden. Pesticides and other toxins to help grow marijuana can disrupt the local ecosystem of that public forest. However, in a country with the legalization of marijuana, people could grow cannabis on their exclusive properties instead of doing so in public areas.
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- Less Drug Smuggling
Cartels used in drug smuggling often have generators, diesel storage tanks, and animal poison to protect their drugs as they smuggle it across the border. These methods are not only illegal but are also toxic to the environment. However, legalizing marijuana reduces cartel profits and makes them move into other legal businesses, like marijuana-infused drinks. There will be lesser drug smuggling, as well as less impact on the environment.
- Conserves More Energy
For most people, growing cannabis requires a lot of water and electricity that can be costly and harmful to the environment. In reality, a single joint of marijuana only requires an estimated 0.25 gallons of water to produce, which is 40 times worse than making a single slice of pizza. Cannabis is more eco-friendly than pizza, which needs 40 gallons of water instead.
The environmental benefits of marijuana legalization might not be too evident because of tons of misconceptions and illogical contradictions about it. Legalizing marijuana is not only beneficial to those for medical and recreational purposes but also the hemp farmers in planting their crops in green energy and other eco-friendly farming options.
References:
https://www.civilized.life/articles/legalizing-marijuana-good-for-environment/