State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group Joint

State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group Joint Working Committee Meeting Denver, CO April 11 -12, 2016 Cannabis and Water – Oregon Update

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agricultural Water Issues The proliforation of outdoor cannabis grow operations has raised numerous regulatory issues. Among the environmental issues are those related to: - Water Avaliability - Water Quality In most case these issues exist regardless of whether these operations are legal or illegal

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agricultural Water Issues These concerns are not limited to Oregon alone but apply to a majority of states where cannabis has been legalized (state sancitioned). These states are (so far) located in the West where western water law applies and where allocations have been adjudicated. These states are also currently experiencing drought conditions of historical magnitude.

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agricultural Water Issues As a result water avaliablity is tight or non-existent For operations that transition from traditional crop to cannabis cultivation modifications to existing rights may have to be made For new acerage not covered by existing rights water will have to be obtained from existing rights (either aquistion or purchase). This will likely result in increased burden to state water allocation agencies

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agricultural Water Issues Generally the acreage involved in raising cannabis is not large, however there are significant water requirement associated with the crop Water Use on Cannabis Crop - Estimate of 1600 plants/acre 1 - 5 -6 gallons of water plant per day 2 - 1, 320, 000 gallons/acre/yr 3 1 – Krogen Formula 2 –Department of Fish and Wildlife, CA NORMAL, CA estimates 2. 3 gallons 3 – Based on 150 day growing period

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture In a closed, water limited basin even a 10 acre grow operation can have significant ramifications A 10 acre grow operation consumes 13, 200, 000 gallons a year or. 24% of the average yearly flow of Amazon Creek, OR (542, 600, 000 gallons)

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture While the number may seem small and insignificant, they are of great concern to OR water resource managers

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture When considering increases in crop acreage (like any crop) growers and the states will have to deal with a flat supply of water that is in high demand by multiple users We aren’t makin any more!!!!

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture A majority of focus from states has been on pesticide residues from harvested crop intended for human consuption However, as more data is produced regarding the presence of “unlabled uses” Oregon is beginning to ask “What are the enviromental impacts? ”

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture There is very limited data regading the impacts that legal cannabis grow operations may have on water quality Most of the data is confined to illegal operations in Northern California, however, some of the identified issue are: § use of rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides; and § use of soil amendments and fertilizers in situations where run off to surface waters

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture Compounds Detected (CO) Myclobutanil Azadirachtins Imidacloprid Spiromesifen Bifenazate Avermectins Etoxazole Piperonyl Butoxide Azovystrobin Spinosyn A Spimosyn D Pyrethrins Sporotetramat Propiconazole

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture Water Quality Impacts due to cannabis cultivation ?

Major Issues Surrounding Cannabis Related to Agriculture Last but not least…Endangered Species Act Outdoor cannabis cultivation has been identified as a major impact to the Pacific Fisher Possible impacts to Oregon Spotted Frog