EXCLUSIVE — A pair of Republican lawmakers are urging Senate Democrats to conduct research into the environmental impact of their proposed marijuana legalization bill, citing concerns about high emissions that would result from widespread cultivation.
The legalization of the drug in certain states has resulted in increased demand for marijuana products, causing states to ramp up production and expand their operations to indoor facilities. However, this has prompted concerns among some lawmakers who argue this increased energy consumption will have detrimental effects on the country’s energy systems, as well as the environment.
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“As Congress debates whether to advance marijuana legalization, the American people must have a better understanding of the environmental costs of this rapidly growing industry,” wrote Reps. Earl Carter (R-GA) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) in a letter obtained by the Washington Examiner. “If the Administration seeks to reduce emissions and protect our environment as aggressively as it has previously committed, we must have a comprehensive view of where emissions and other pollution occurs, as they will likely only grow.”
The letter, which is backed by the political group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, raises concerns about the effect marijuana legalization would have…
