Water is a precious resource. Should we really use it to grow marijuana?
Something Arizonans hear a lot is that we're running out of water. While the state has enough water to not induce complete panic yet, conservation methods are being put into place and Arizona's long-term water supply is being considered more often by policymakers.
The state's water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water and groundwater.
These sources are then broken down into three sectors: municipal, industrial and agricultural. Municipal goes toward homes, business buildings and is mainly drinking water. Industrial helps supply things like dairy, mining and golf courses. And agriculture, using about 72% of the water allocation, is used for farming.
But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana?
In 2020, recreational marijuana became legal with the passing of Proposition 207. Last year, it was reported that Arizona marijuana sales came out to more than $1.4 billion. It's becoming a major industry in the state, leading many to joke that maybe a 6th C should be added to the state's mantra: cannabis.
This week on Valley 101, a podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we talk with Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, to give us a sense of where our water is being used. Then, Jake Ritter of Aeriz, a cannabis brand, shares how their grow is using as little water as possible.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How low-water cannabis growers help drought in the desert
