Marijuana production uses 1 percent of all U.S. electricity
Unlike the smokable plant, marijuana production ain’t green.
The driver of this van has no idea he's killing baby polar bears.
Marijuana has a Godzilla-sized carbon footprint, with indoor production consuming one percent of all electricity produced in the United States, according to a study.
The resulting carbon dioxide emissions from all those power plants is equivalent to operating 3 million badly painted Volkswagen Microbuses (see photo).
Here’s some more interesting facts:
* Energy costs account for 25 percent of marijuana wholesale costs.
* The energy required to produce one joint is equal to running a 100-watt light bulb for 17 hours.
* A four-by-four-foot lighted “production module” uses the same energy as 30 refrigerators.
Of course, after reading all that, you’re probably wondering how much in energy costs the U.S. could save if we just let people grow marijuana outdoors.
The answer? $5 billion, or 2.5 million pounds of weed.
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115 comments Add your comment
your a moran
April 15th, 2011
11:51 am
…
your a moran
April 15th, 2011
11:52 am
… is beyond ignorant. Please DIAF.
Queen Nerfballteedi
April 15th, 2011
11:56 am
I like to get my smoke on after church. It helps me relax.
Sarah
April 15th, 2011
12:14 pm
How is 1% Godzilla sized?
Just call me Barry
April 15th, 2011
12:20 pm
So, pot-smoking, hippy liberals are killing the planet. Now that’s really FUNNY!!!
fes
April 15th, 2011
12:35 pm
mark gets it! this study needs to go back to the drawing board and take into account led’s. they use considerably less power and have different settings that can more closely mimic the sun. which takes us back to the legalize it so it can be grown outdoors without fear of prosecution argument.
George Mathis
April 15th, 2011
1:05 pm
MARK: Yes, the study (if you open the link) does mention new tech can save up to 75 percent in energy costs, I assume from LED lighting.
Really and Truly a Christian
April 15th, 2011
1:18 pm
Marijuana doesn’t kill. It is infinitely better than alcohol, if comparisons are required.
It is not a gateway drug. Or wasn’t to me, and all I know, at any rate.
I have never seen a mean or threatening user of marijuana. Alcohol, anyone?
Those that condemn haven’t toked, and believe the malarky.
And besides, it really shouldn’t be anyones business other than the user.
Finally, I don’t partake anymore, for reasons personal to me. No dog in the hunt. But being truthful.
Puff Puff Pass
April 15th, 2011
1:54 pm
You can grow with a 400 watt grow light and it uses the same energy as a desktop computer. It’s legal in most European countries. Not the drug of choice anymore, prescription pills have taken over! USA so far behind the rest of the world. Just tax the stuff and put the money in the gov to pay for schools and stuff like that. WEED IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE!!!!!
Charlise
April 15th, 2011
1:54 pm
Like the writer of the article, I too advocate growing your weed outside. Now we just need to figure out the problem of keeping the men with badges off our property!