In an earlier column, I discussed the resource intensive nature of cannabis growing and processing, which require significant amounts of energy and water. Operators of those types of facilities need to plan for access to those resources when they start up.
Cannabis growing and processing also require the use of significant quantities of potentially harmful materials, may generate air emissions and require specialized disposal methods for their wastes. Recently CBS's "60 Minutes" aired an episode on California's cannabis black market activities, including issues related to environmental impacts of such operations. But even legal operations require compliance with environmental regulations lest they run afoul of the law.
