The one word that people around the globe are talking about today is sustainability. With the effects of climate change and global warming becoming more eminent, everyone is becoming more conscious about the effects of their actions on the environment. Agriculture sector is the major contributor to global emissions, including cannabis.
Do you want to use CBD for its therapeutic benefits? Are you wondering whether it is good for the environment or not? Keep reading to learn about CBD and how it impacts the environment.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a chemical compound that is present in the cannabis plant. It is a medicinal cannabinoid becoming increasingly popular on account of the health benefits it can offer. CBD is emerging as a holistic alternative remedy for various health troubles, both physical and psychological. The cannabinoid is non-psychoactive and will not induce a euphoric high, making it safe for use.
While CBD is abundant in both marijuana and hemp plants, it is more prominent in hemp plants. Both are part of the cannabis family. However, they differ in the level of cannabinoids. Hemp is an industrial species of cannabis plants with a high level of CBD but low THC levels. Tetrahydrocannabinol, called THC, is a psychoactive compound that can give you a mind-altering high.
The manufacturers use a rigorous extraction method using Co2 to extract CBD from the hemp plant. You can get CBD in various forms, like – oil, capsules, isolate, edibles, topicals, and even vape oil. CBD Vape Juice is becoming popular today owing to the ease of use and effective results.
How is hemp produced?
You can grow cannabis plants both indoors and outdoors. Marijuana, being an industrial plant, is usually grown indoors. It helps the manufacturers control the variables like temperature, humidity, and soil to regulate the quality of marijuana plants. To offer the required amount of light and water and to control the temperature and humidity, farmers require HVAC systems for marijuana. It needs a lot of energy and money to grow high-grade marijuana plants indoors.
On the other hand, hemp can be grown outdoors as well. Hemp plants do not require precise conditions to grow. Farmers have been cultivating it outdoors for centuries to make textiles, ropes, and medicines from it. They opt to grow the plants outside to maximize their size. Besides that, hemp plants require minimal water when compared to other farm crops. The roots of these plants are deep into the earth, reducing the need for pesticides. You only need a small area to grow plants since productivity is high when hemp plants.
How the production of CBD impacts the environment?
It is not merely growing hemp that is involved in the production of CBD. There are plenty of other steps that are followed to get the cannabis byproduct from the plants. These steps can also have a direct impact on the environment. Here is how CBD can impact nature:
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Harvesting
While the farming of cannabis hemp plant is environment friendly, the harvesting process can also benefit nature. Given the quick growth rate of hemp plants and how the plants’ roots go deeper into the soil, they allow easy rotation after each period of harvesting. It doesn’t deplete the land of nutrients, and hemp fields will not need fallow years quickly.
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Extraction
There are plenty of different extraction methods used by manufacturers to get pure CBD from the plant matter. The methods use chemical solvents like butane, ethanol, propane, and Co2, directly impacting the environment. Co2 extraction process is much safer and environment-friendly as compared to other methods.
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Transportation
There are geographical limitations when it comes to the production of hemp. While governments have imposed restrictions on hemp farming, it also depends on the area’s climatic conditions. Hemp or CBD needs to be transported to different parts of the country, which may increase carbon footprints. If it is locally sourced and used, it can be safe for nature.
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The end product
By their nature, hemp products like CBD are biodegradable and recyclable. Every part of the plant has different uses, whether for ropes, medicines, or textiles. Besides that, hemp plants are similar to the biomass plant, which stores carbon during photosynthesis. They remove a massive amount of carbon from the atmosphere, and using any hemp-derived product contributes to the process known as carbon sequestration. If need be, the carbon can be returned to the land by using the biosequestration process.
Final Thoughts
CBD has managed to become a household product, with thousands of people using it for health benefits. Owing to its popularity, it has become imperative to understand CBD production and use in the environment. The cannabinoid is entirely eco-friendly and sustainable. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly alternative, you must opt for CBD today and contribute to a better world.
