Producers routinely irrigate cannabinoid hemp, predominantly crops grown in plasticulture systems. Western states like California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and the rest of the Southwest all rely on abundant irrigation water to raise a crop.  The notion of water-thrifty crop does not apply to hemp in these growing systems, but water usage varies among the many cultural practices.   

Researchers have yet to exploit drought resistant traits, or develop water-smart production systems, in the short time cannabis has been a regulated crop. Sophisticated MJ operators who are paying a steep water bill have been ahead of the curve, but this won’t necessarily benefit the public domain.  Land Grant researchers in every region will need to include cannabis in their efforts to develop climate-smart production practices. 

Plant breeding has some capacity to mitigate drought pressure on hemp crops, but the lack of historical research noted…