Two Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of nationwide legalization of cannabis.
Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) this week sent a letter to Biden administration officials.
The letter addresses “serious concerns regarding the energy and resource-intensive nature of marijuana cultivation.”
The lawmakers claim that cannabis cultivation alone accounts for 1% of nationwide energy consumption.
They also claim that cannabis cultivation uses twice as much water as maize, soybeans, wheat and wine grapes.
The lawmakers cited system operator concerns that federal legalization raises risks of capacity shortages and blackouts.
Both Carter and Lamborn voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes legislation aimed at significantly reducing U.S. carbon emissions.
