The starting shot for sustainable cannabis consumption
In North America, numerous players are launching campaigns to reduce waste.
There are as many ways to consume cannabis as there are cannabis users. Unfortunately, most of these methods of consumption have one major downside: They generate a lot of waste in the process. Cannabis industry attorney Sylvia Chi says the biggest environmental problem facing cannabis users is excessive packaging, especially when comparing the packaging of cannabis to the packaging of food without medication. "There are definitely better ways of doing this," says Chi. "There aren't any good reuse or recycling options; most dispensaries say they can't accept used glasses, let alone all the other packaging. What should you do with a huge supply of glass containers? Make candles?" Chi also questions the usefulness of recycling in general, as recent upheavals in the market have resulted in more and more recyclable materials ending up in the landfill. American citizens recycle approximately 34.7 percent of waste that can be reused, according to a July 2018 report by the EPA. The United States typically sends about half of that plastic overseas for recycling, but China stopped accepting foreign waste on Jan. 1 - diverting millions of tons of recyclable products to landfill or the ocean this year. However, a company called PL28 is actively cleaning plastic from the oceans and converting it into packaging for the cannabis industry. Jayson Adam Stewart, founder and CEO of PL28, says his company first focused on the cannabis industry because "we now have the opportunity to shape the growth of the industry so bad habits don't become too ingrained to be corrected ". "Ocean plastic costs about the same as new plastic, and 90 percent of the plastic can be replaced with ocean plastic, so there really is no excuse," says Stewart. "Consumers must hold brands accountable for their choice of materials. Chi agrees that cannabis users have the purchasing power to reward companies trying to fix environmental issues. "As a consumer, I prefer to patronize companies with environmentally friendly practices, but I am also skeptical about green washing," she says, citing the practice of companies that try to appear sustainable even though they act differently. "As a lawyer, I know that while the law prohibits misleading claims and requires justification for environmental claims, many companies still get away with claims that are not sufficiently specific or qualified." The fight against greenwashing is particularly difficult in the cannabis industry because the federal government refuses to certify cannabis products through its various environmental certification programs. While there are some private certification programs that have sprung up without government supervision, individual states have been slowly building their own certification programs. In California, for example, the state is required to have an organic certification program in place by 2021 that is comparable to the National Organic Program. Until then, says Chi, "consumers will mostly have to rely on producers claiming that they are using organic production methods". Aside from how your cannabis is packaged and certified, here are five other ways to ensure that you are a sustainable cannabis user: Using a hemp wick will help optimize the smoking experience and reduce the use of disposable lighters. Photo Gracie Malley for Cannabis Now. 1) Shop Local Buying cannabis from a local source makes sense for a number of reasons. Much like how many environmentalists recommend consuming local foods, buying local cannabis will keep more money in your community, the product is less likely to be spoiled or tampered with, and you have reduced the distance the cannabis had to be transported, resulting in better air quality promotes and reduces pollution. Buying (or bartering) locally can also help small, organic farmers so they are less likely to have to become part of a larger business in order to survive. Finally, you may be lucky enough to learn the history of the product and develop a relationship with your neighbors who produced it. Strong communities of farmers and patients are critical to keeping medicines affordable. 2) Growing yourself outdoors Many states now have laws that allow medical or adult consumers to expand their own choices. In Europe, however, private cultivation is still prohibited in most countries and is therefore not recommended by us. If you are unable to care for yourself, either because of physical limitations or because it is not allowed where you live, your state likely still allows patients to delegate this delicate task to a nurse. Grow outdoors whenever possible to reduce energy consumption. There is no shortage of online and print resources on green farming practices. Remember that there are sustainable options for water supplies, light sources, soil and pesticides. 3) Avoid vape waste Disposable vape pens and cartridges are one of the most convenient ways to get cannabinoids into your system, but they create heaps of toxic waste and are not necessarily healthier than smoking. Pre-filled vape pens are not regulated for safety reasons, and the heating mechanism can turn solvents, flavorings, and additives into carcinogenic and dangerous toxins. Until vape battery and cartridge recycling programs become more widespread, consider buying a refillable vape. While some cities like San Francisco are also beginning to raise awareness about vape waste and urge that manufacturers be held accountable, it is best to avoid single-use vapes until vape recycling is available in your area . 4) Smoke sustainably Have you ever thought about the long-term health effects of inhaling butane from lighters or burned sulfur from matches? In addition to the health risks, lighters also emit flint powder and destroy terpenes. The solution? Hanfwick! It's hemp twine dipped in beeswax, which burns at a safer, more delicious temperature and also reduces how many disposable lighters end up in the landfill. 5) Buy clean green certified cannabis Thanks to the federal ban, marijuana cannot officially be labeled an organic product as the USDA does not yet recognize it as a legitimate crop. Instead, Clean Green Certified is the next best option for cannabis producers after the official organic seal. Since 2004 Clean Green Certified has inspected and approved producers who use sustainable, natural, organic practices. Until marijuana is federally legalized, the cannabis industry will continue to innovate on its own and build their own sustainable systems - and conscious users should do their part to reward those companies and growers who take the extra step of respecting the earth .