At first glance, cannabis might not seem like a water-intensive crop. But dig into the research and a more complicated picture emerges, shaped by climate, drought cycles and a fast-growing industry still learning how to adapt. Many cannabis customers likely don’t realize that the plants need a meaningful amount of water, especially during peak growing season. But because cannabis is often grown in places with long dry seasons and droughts, like California and Colorado, the water demand takes a back seat to the water supply itself. Studies estimate outdoor cannabis plants can use roughly 5 to 6 gallons of water per plant per day in late summer, when temperatures are highest and growth is most active. But in much of the western U.S., a majority of rainfall happens in winter, creating a natural mismatch.

Other agricultural water news:

• Los Banos Enterprise: UC Merced study explores whether agave could be a future crop for California