Marijuana's Environmental Impact Especially Evident In California

This year, the marijuana industry has taken off as the drug became legal to use in even more states.

With everything from specialized strands to THC-laced edible products now on the market, marijuana farmers are working overtime to meet the rising demand.

However, an increase in marijuana cultivation has taken an unexpected toll on the environment, especially in California where much of the nation's pot supplies are grown.

Drought Concerns

California's ongoing drought has had a major impact on the state's natural water sources. While residents are encouraged to cut down on their usage in order to conserve, water-reliant marijuana farms have continued to spring up in droves.

Many growers illegally siphon water from rivers and creeks to feed their crops despite the state's increasingly dire situation. Experts estimate that marijuana plants grown outside each require about six gallons of water per day.

Related Link: Marijuana's Role In The Insurance Industry

Strain On Plant And Animal Life

While marijuana is a relatively small contributor to California's dwindling water supply, growers' methods of diverting water from streams and creeks has had a serious impact on the state's wildlife.

Last year, California's endangered coho salmon population was at risk of further deterioration due to lower water levels— which have been directly linked to illegal marijuana cultivation.

A Million Dollar Industry

Marijuana farmers are growing their crops anywhere possible, and at any cost, because their product is becoming increasingly valuable. As the demand for marijuana rises, the incentive to illegally farm marijuana becomes more and more appealing.