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How low-water cannabis growers are helping combat desert drought
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How low-water cannabis growers are helping combat desert drought

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One thing Arizonans hear frequently is that we are running out of water. While the state has enough water to not cause a full-blown panic yet, conservation methods are being put in place and policymakers are more frequently considering Arizona’s long-term water supply.

The state’s water supply comes from three sources: surface water, reclaimed water, and groundwater.

These sources are divided into three sectors: municipal, industrial, and agricultural. Municipal water is used for housing, commercial buildings, and primarily for drinking water. Industrial water is used to supply sectors such as dairy production, mining, and golf courses. And agriculture, which uses approximately 72% of the water allocation, is used for farming.

But if water is such a precious resource in Arizona, is it really a smart idea to use it to grow marijuana?

In 2020, recreational marijuana became legal with the passage of Proposition 207. Last year, it was reported that marijuana sales in Arizona totaled over $1.4 billion. It is becoming a major industry in the state, leading many to joke that perhaps a sixth C should be added to the state’s mantra: cannabis.

This week on Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, we speak with Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University, to get a sense of where water is used. Then, Jake Ritter of Aeriz, a cannabis brand, tells us how his grow uses as little water as possible.

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Note: Valley 101 is intended to be listened to, but we provide an AI-generated transcription of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.

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Contact the reporter at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @amandaluberto.

Catch up on previous episodes of Valley 101:

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