At a time when we need to work collectively to address the cascading implications of climate change for the planet, people and society, how we grow our food and crops matters.

Glass House Brands (GHB), which has one of the industry’s lowest carbon footprints, strives to produce cannabis that is good for the earth and for people. The United Nations recently projected that up to one-quarter of the global food supply could be lost by 2050 due to the combined impact of climate change, land degradation and water scarcity, threatening to further deepen the current global trend towards socio-economic divisions. Roughly 80% of U.S.-based cannabis cultivation occurs in indoor facilities designed to maximize harvest yields, but the majority of these grows are doing more environmental harm than good. Researchers estimate that cannabis accounts for more than 1% of U.S. electricity consumption and that this percentage will continue to rise as national demand ratchets up. Glass House Brands recently commissioned an independent study revealing that the average indoor facility’s electric use intensity was 95% higher than greenhouses and produced 741% more carbon emissions than greenhouses. This presentation will provide an in-depth look at the study and examine how cultivators can utilize energy-efficient and effective methods to ensure that cannabis can reach its potential as America’s next sustainable cash crop. President and Chief Cannabis Officer Graham Farrar will share how his personal passion for environmental causes developed and how it has been incorporated into GHB’s sustainable growing practices.