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Pamela Brigger, a senior majoring in , is making significant strides in her research through the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURE), with mentorship from David Kaplan, PhD, Professor in the Department of Geography and sponsorship by The Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI).

Brigger’s project focuses on the environmental impacts of Ohio’s rapidly expanding cannabis and hemp industry, particularly concerning waste management. “There will be an effect on the environment with any agricultural industry located on farmland or urbanized communities,” she explains. “My research was to understand the waste generated by this industry along with sustainable practices that can benefit the evolution of the cannabis industry as well as nurture the communities surrounding them.”

Throughout her research, Brigger discovered that many cannabis companies are actively working to change negative perceptions. “The most interesting thing I learned is that every avenue of the cannabis industry is trying to change the negative stigma by giving back to their community in some way,” she noted. “For example, the hemp farmer uses her harvests for topical care and pain relief. Cannabis cultivation companies are consistently donating to charities, contributing to fundraisers, and assisting with community gardens and environmental initiative programs.”

Brigger faced challenges in engaging with industry stakeholders. “The greatest challenge I had to overcome was the shortage of willingness from the cannabis and hemp industry to talk about their farming,” she explained. “I reached out to over 100 cannabis companies throughout the country with email inquiries with minimal to no response.” Ultimately, she leveraged her LinkedIn network to connect with local businesses, leading to valuable insights.

Reflecting on the support from ESDRI, she said, “I spoke to the ESDRI team about the intentions of my research, and everyone seemed interested and supported my ideas. It reassured me that my exploration is intriguing because it asks the question, ‘Where does the waste go?’”

Brigger’s work highlights the importance of sustainable practices in an evolving industry and underscores the potential for cannabis businesses to lead in environmental stewardship.

WRITTEN BY: Katherine McNamara Manning, PhD