Is Climate Change Affecting Cannabis Growth?

Before we get into the details, let’s talk about the elephant in the grow room: climate change. While some still debate its long-term implications, the signs are increasingly difficult to ignore. From record-breaking heatwaves in the Australia surpassing 40°C and to intensifying droughts and storms across Australia, global climate patterns are shifting. For growers, especially those cultivating cannabis, these changes are beginning to influence how we approach the plant, from seed to harvest. In this article, we’ll explore the impact of climate change on cannabis cultivation, especially here in Australia and why the type of seed you choose matters more than ever.

This year, we've witnessed rising temperatures, inconsistent rainfall, and increased environmental stress on ecosystems worldwide. Pollinators like bees are less active during heatwaves, birds are migrating at unpredictable times, and many plant species are struggling to adapt. In Australia, frequent bushfires, unexpected floods, and prolonged droughts are all part of a changing climate. Among the crops feeling the pressure is cannabis. While we’ll focus on this plant specifically, many of these environmental shifts are also affecting agriculture more broadly. But before diving into how climate affects cannabis, let’s briefly consider how cannabis cultivation impacts the environment.

Is Cannabis Cultivation Bad for the Planet?

In its current commercial form, unfortunately, yes especially when grown indoors. Legalisation has led to a boom in large-scale indoor cannabis farms, particularly in North America. These operations require continuous artificial lighting, ventilation, heating, and cooling systems and all of which drive up energy consumption. Although Australia’s cannabis industry is still developing, we’re already seeing similar trends emerge, particularly in medical production facilities.

For example, in Colorado one of the first U.S. states to legalise cannabis the industry contributes around 1.3% of total carbon emissions annually. That might seem small, but for a plant-based industry, it’s notable. It’s not cannabis that’s the problem, but how we grow it. Fortunately, Australian growers have a chance to take a different path, embracing sustainable, outdoor, or low-energy methods from the start.

How Will Climate Change Affect Cannabis in Australia?

Australia is already feeling the effects of climate change. We’re experiencing hotter summers, longer dry seasons, and more frequent extreme weather events. Cannabis, while typically a warm-climate crop, is not immune to climate instability. Prolonged heat, water shortages, and unpredictable storms can all disrupt healthy plant development.

Potential Climate Benefits for Cannabis:

• Regions previously unsuitable for outdoor growing, such as parts of Victoria or Tasmania, may become viable due to rising temperatures.
• Increased sunlight and UV exposure may encourage higher resin production, improving potency and aroma.
• Elevated CO₂ levels can support more efficient photosynthesis in cannabis, possibly lowering water needs in controlled grows.

That said, these upsides only exist in controlled scenarios. The reality is far more volatile, and growers must be ready for disruptions.

Challenges Posed by a Changing Climate:

• Excessive heat during flowering stages can stress plants, reduce yields, or cause hermaphroditism.
• Shifting ecosystems may bring new pests, invasive plant species, or migratory animals that impact outdoor crops.
• Extreme events like hail, flooding, or cyclones can devastate an entire season’s crop overnight.
• Disrupted light and temperature cycles may alter the growth rhythm, affecting plant size and cannabinoid production.

Water is another critical factor. While cannabis is more drought-resistant than many crops, extreme conditions in regions like inland New South Wales and Western Australia push even tough plants to their limits. That’s why **strain selection** is key.

Choosing the Right Seeds: Why It Matters More Than Ever

The key to sustainable cannabis farming in a changing climate is adaptability and both in technique and genetics. Selecting the right strain can make or break a grow, especially when dealing with heat, drought, or short flowering windows. If you're planning to cultivate in harsh or shifting conditions, it’s worth investing in strains known for their hardiness.

Our collection of Indica-Dominant Cannabis Seeds offers a great starting point for this. Indica strains tend to be more compact, require less water, and finish flowering faster than their sativa counterparts making them ideal for growers in regions with shorter growing seasons or hotter, drier summers. These varieties are naturally suited for harsher environments and can help you stay resilient in the face of climate unpredictability.

At RARE SEEDS Australia, we prioritise sustainable growing by offering seeds that are well-adapted to Australian conditions and ideal for environmentally conscious cultivation. Our organic cannabis seeds are bred for performance in natural outdoor and low-energy setups. They require fewer chemical inputs, thrive in living soil, and often produce richer, more complex terpene profiles.

Smart Growing in a Warming World

If you're growing cannabis in Australia today, you're already on the frontlines of climate adaptation. To stay ahead, consider the following:

• Choose drought-tolerant, fast-flowering strains (like indica-dominant varieties).
• Use efficient irrigation systems and mulch to retain soil moisture.
• Build shade covers or wind barriers to protect plants from harsh conditions.
• Monitor local weather patterns and shift planting schedules as needed.
• Focus on root health it increases resilience to environmental stress.

Final Thoughts

Climate change isn’t a future issue it’s reshaping Australian agriculture right now. For cannabis growers, it brings both challenges and opportunities. Warmer climates may extend growing zones and boost resin production, but only if growers are ready to adapt.

Written by RSA