Can cannabis growing be carbon negative?

Glass Pharms, a UK based company, announced plans to build the first carbon negative greenhouse facility for growing medicinal cannabis. The company announced that all farming methods to be implemented at the facility will be influenced by artificial intelligence (AI).

The cannabis company is partnering with an unknown infrastructure company to turn this vision into a reality. This system would be the first of its kind not only in Europe, but worldwide. The plan would fund about $ 38.5 million – about £ 22.5 million. As soon as the funds are released, construction of the new campus will begin.

The campus should be 2.5 hectares. Although the location has not yet been announced, reporters have determined that it would be in the southern region of England. The novelty of this greenhouse is its carbon negative design.

A carbon negative plant for growing medicinal cannabis

Conventional cannabis cultivation has an immensely high carbon footprint that scientists are trying to reduce or significantly reduce. A CO2 negative grower leaves a neutral or negative CO2 footprint in the environment. This type of installation aims to offset the CO2 emissions from the installations.

The prospect of developing the first cannabis-negative plant, Maji Runa A, has been a dream for many years, especially given global warming this century. Recent research shows that current CO2 emissions to the environment are at least 150 times higher than they were in 1850. One study found that the concentration of carbon dioxide is highest in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are currently causing a climate crisis and, due to their high levels of air pollution, are also causing a number of respiratory diseases.

As the demand for and acceptance of cannabis increases, so will the need for CO2-neutral or CO2-negative cultivation systems. Scientists are still trying to come up with better ways to reduce CO2 emissions. However, for the time being there are only a limited number of options, the most important of which is to set up climate-neutral institutions.

A green medical cannabis industry

Glass Pharm announced that it plans to use an anaerobic digestion plant previously used by a food waste plant to generate energy for the plant. The cultivation concepts influenced by artificial intelligence would ensure that the facility maintains optimal conditions approved for the production of medicinal cannabis flowers.

The company’s website explains that with the design being implemented, the facility relies very little on carbon sources. The facility model is designed such that the entire operation would result in a negative carbon model as it uses circular economy design best practices.

More about the design of the facility

In order to guarantee an even harvest all year round, the growing environment in the greenhouse must be optimal in every season of the year. A major agricultural project like this would also require a lot of electrical energy.

At least 40 percent of the system’s energy should be solar powered. The remaining 60% are supplemented by our own energy generation. The main goal of this facility is to be carbon negative. Many still doubt the possibility of a CO2-neutral system that is still operated with the very best LED lighting and greenhouse heating.

The ultra-modern, modernized design of the anaerobic digestion plant first converts feed water with hot water from the plant into electricity. This electricity is then used to heat and cool the greenhouse environment. The structure has an internal CO2-neutral system. As soon as the plant is operational, it will be accredited by officials to check its status as a climate-neutral plant, provided everything is in order. When generating usable electricity, methane formation is avoided at all times (methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases with harmful effects on the atmosphere).

With this anaerobic digestion system and a massive solar system on site, combined with its own energy generation for cooling and supplying the systems, the net amount of green gases produced by this system will be in the negative range. Guarantees that all resources are recycled every time they are used.

Glass Pharms vision

Glass Pharms is the first company in the UK to receive Home Office approval to manufacture high THC medicinal cannabis products for registered patients across the country. The company says its goal is to end the inconsistent supply and unreliable quality of medical cannabis in the UK. James Duckenfield, CEO of Glass Pharms, noted that the medical cannabis industry in the UK has a bad supply chain, that of dissatisfied. patients have been reported across the country. He said the company is trying to build a safe and consistent supply chain for medical cannabis in the UK without causing more carbon emissions to the environment. This new company is geared towards meeting the UK’s net zero carbon emissions targets.

Flooding the UK medical industry with high quality products

While it may seem difficult to produce a uniform, high quality medical cannabis product in the UK medical cannabis sector using conventional greenhouse facilities, it is doable with Glass Pharms’ proposed designs. The company’s energy efficient indoor grow facility will revolutionize cannabis growing practices in the country through a number of innovative methods used to ensure that all growing variables remain constant throughout the year.

The end products will have uniform properties from which all UK patients can benefit. The offer would also be predictable all year round. Mr Duckenfield concluded by saying that the company is very keen to begin production and delivery in 2022.

Bottom line

This proposed venture will be the most expensive cannabis-related infrastructure investment in the UK medical cannabis industry. It will encourage more companies to invest in the sector as these sizeable investments instill absolute confidence in the long term viability of the industry. Not to mention that the carbon negative prospect of this facility ensures the country’s sustainable future.

Once production and delivery begin, most UK pharmacies and clinics will have access to premium medical cannabis manufactured by Glass Pharms under the correct regulatory standards.

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