Tucson Dispensary Champions Water Education to Tackle Arizona's Cannabis Resource Puzzle

In 2025, Arizona lawmakers introduced legislation to control water use in cannabis cultivation—a crop that cannot be sold outside Arizona. D2 Dispensaries is stepping up with educational tools and transparency to support informed discussions on sustainability.

TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arizona's persistent drought underscores the urgency of understanding how industries, including cannabis, impact our finite water resources. Without statewide tracking, estimates of annual cannabis water use vary widely, from hundreds of millions to potentially over a billion gallons, highlighting the need for Arizona to explore best practices from other states.

D2 has launched ecopride.com as an educational platform for Tucsonans and all Arizonans to dive into water inventory challenges, risks of inaction, cannabis water tools, and actionable steps for involvement—fostering a informed path forward.

D2 Dispensaries is leading by example in responsible practices, using precisely the water needed to supply its Tucson community. Leveraging efficient indoor setups and innovative irrigation, D2 has cut its water usage by more than 40% in the last two years. Even with some of the state's largest dispensaries, D2 keeps its operational scale compact relative to the broader industry, representing only a minimal share of overall consumption.

To promote education and accountability, D2 is openly disclosing that its production facility averaged 143,180 gallons total monthly last year for about 18,000 square feet of cultivation, and 32,000 square feet dedicated to extraction, manufacturing and kitchen needs. D2 pays monthly utility bills ranging from $2,000 - $2,200 for water, sewer, and environmental services at its production facility. D2 believes that Tucsonans will gravitate towards dispensaries who are transparent and share their water usage numbers and costs.

“Arizona’s water future hinges on informed stewardship, not guesswork,” said Moe Asnani, Co-Founder of D2 Dispensaries. “As someone who has lived in Tucson since 1999, it is tough to see how hard inflation has hit our community. We pay for our water and work hard to provide locally grown premium cannabis that won’t impact future water costs and quality of life for Tucsonans.”

Several states with legal cannabis set grow limits to align production with available resources. In Arizona, the absence of such caps has prompted calls for deeper analysis of expansion's effects on water supplies. D2 advocates for public education on these topics, especially amid statewide conservation efforts.

Recent trends show Arizona's cannabis output exceeding local demand, prompting broader conversations about balancing growth with environmental realities in this evolving sector.

“Water is life in the desert,” said Consuelo Hernandez, State Representative for Legislative District 21 who sponsored HB 2941 to control statewide cannabis water use. “Our water needs are growing everyday with agriculture, mining, chip manufacturing, AI data centers, and new residential and commercial development. I am not sure we can sustain overproducing a controlled substance that cannot even be sold outside Arizona legally.”

In parallel with water conservation, D2 pursues green advancements such as sustainable packaging and efficient lighting, delivering quality cannabis that prioritizes community and environmental health.

About D2 Dispensaries

D2 Dispensaries is a locally owned and operated cannabis company with locations in Downtown Tucson, Eastside Tucson, and Oracle & Roger. Known for quality products, large stores, and expert service, D2 is also a sustainability leader in the industry. By limiting its environmental footprint and using resources responsibly, D2 offers Tucson residents a truly eco-friendly local choice.