The legalization of cannabis has caused a substantial increase in commercial production, yet the magnitude of the industry’s environmental impact has not been fully quantified. A considerable amount of legal cannabis is cultivated indoors primarily for quality control and security. In this study we analysed the energy and materials required to grow cannabis indoors and quantified the corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using life cycle assessment methodology for a cradle-to-gate system boundary. The analysis was performed across the United States, accounting for geographic variations in meteorological and electrical grid emissions data. The resulting life cycle GHG emissions range, based on location, from 2,283 to 5,184 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg of dried flower. The life cycle GHG emissions are largely attributed to electricity production and natural gas consumption from indoor environmental controls, high-intensity grow lights and the supply of carbon dioxide for accelerated plant growth. The discussion focuses on the technological solutions and policy adaptation that can improve the environmental impact of commercial indoor cannabis production.

大麻的合法化已导致商业化生产大幅增加，但尚未完全量化该行业对环境的影响程度。室内大量种植合法大麻，主要是为了质量控制和安全。在这项研究中，我们分析了从摇篮到大门系统边界的生命周期评估方法，在室内种植大麻所需的能源和材料，并量化了相应的温室气体（GHG）排放量。该分析是在美国进行的，计算了气象和电网排放数据中的地域差异。最终的生命周期GHG排放范围（根据位置）为2,283至5,184 kg CO ₂-相当于每公斤干花。生命周期内的温室气体排放主要归因于室内环境控制，高强度生长灯以及为加速植物生长而供应的二氧化碳所产生的电力和天然气消耗。讨论的重点是可以改善商业室内大麻生产对环境的影响的技术解决方案和政策调整。