PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • February 7, 2024
Last year, Maine’s medical cannabis market brought in more than $305 million, while recreational sales hit $200 million. But there is much more to cannabis than “getting high” or “serving potheads.” Traditional agriculture is in peril. Among other factors, climate change has heightened the unpredictability of outdoor farming. Consumers are increasingly concerned about pesticide use, with much of our fruit and produce coming from countries with questionable certifications and credentials. The cannabis industry has pioneered controlled environment agriculture farming, one of our most important potential solutions to the agriculture problem. Mainers can thank the cannabis industry for revolutionizing farming. ~ Dan Thayer, Lifespring Microclimates