Cannabis is a lucrative crop but it has one big caveat: the energy intensity of its production. As more and more states are legalizing marijuana in the United States, the energy demand of cannabis growers is putting a strain on both their profit margins and the electric grid. Importantly, Illinois recently announced that when its new law legalizing recreational marijuana takes effect Jan. 1, growers will face some of the strongest energy efficiency and reporting requirements in the country (
Thill, 2019). This law could lead other states to follow suit, reinforcing the need for the cannabis industry to start turning to renewables to mitigate its energy appetite.
