Episode #85 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Greta Wengert on Environmental Harms of Cannabis GrowsEpisode #85 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Greta Wengert on Environmental Harms of Cannabis Grows
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
What are the environment impacts of cannabis grows? The carbon foot print for tomato grows is 2 kilograms, much different than for cannabis grows is 3600 kilograms. Cleaning up illegal cannabis grows cost more money than cleaning up an oil spill. Hear from Dr. Greta Wengert, and ecologist working in California public lands and witnesses the effects of illegal marijuana grows on water theft, damage to wild life, and effects of pesticides. Dr. Greta Wengert is the Executive Director of Integral Ecology Research Center, a non-profit research organization. Greta earned her B.S. in Natural Resources at Cornell University, her M.S. in Wildlife Ecology at Humboldt State University, and her Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of California Davis, and has over 20 years of ecological research experience throughout California and Oregon. Her research focuses on the relationships among forest vertebrates and how these relationships are impacted by natural and human influences. Since 2012, her research has focused on the environmental impacts from trespass marijuana cultivation centering mainly on direct effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems from the pesticide use and habitat manipulation associated with cultivation. She speaks regularly on this topic to local and nationwide audiences to spread awareness on this growing environmental issue, and to encourage the development and funding sources for solutions to this problem.
57:10•8 Aug 2022
Cannabis Grows and Environmental Damage: Insights from Dr. Greta Wengert
“Cleaning up illegal cannabis grows cost more money than cleaning up an oil spill.”
Ever thought about the hidden environmental costs of illegal cannabis cultivation? In this eye-opening episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Dr. Greta Wengert, an ecologist with over 20 years of experience, to explore the serious ecological impacts of these activities. Dr. Wengert, who works in California's public lands, reveals startling facts about water theft, wildlife harm, and the extensive use of harmful pesticides in illegal cannabis grows.
She explains that the carbon footprint of cannabis cultivation is vastly higher than that of other crops, like tomatoes. This episode goes beyond the usual discussions about cannabis to highlight the often-ignored environmental consequences. Dr. Wengert also talks about the immense challenges and costs involved in cleaning up these illegal operations, comparing it to cleaning up oil spills. If you're interested in understanding the broader implications of drug production on our planet, this episode is a must-listen.
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!
More From This Show
The latest episodes from the same podcast.
Related Episodes
Similar episodes from other shows in the catalogue.