How Marijuana Fields Help 'Save' Bees

For some time, solutions have been sought against the ongoing insect 'Armageddon', i.e. the enormous loss of insects that are vital to our ecosystem. One of the most important for the preservation of our planet's biodiversity is the bee, whose demise is decreeing its rapid and unstoppable extinction. The causes are diverse, from climate change to parasites such as Varroa, to the massive use of pesticides and insecticides in agriculture. It is estimated that ten million beehives worldwide have been lost in the last five years. From the USA to Europe, more than 40% of the hives have been lost, and honey production in general is also experiencing a severe and constant crisis. An almost unintentional, but definitely effective, solution has emerged following the recent legalisation in 11 different US states of hemp cultivation. Bee populations thrive in these areas.

The study reveals that bees are increasingly frequenting tall hemp plantations in several areas where cannabis production has increased due to legalisation. According to researchers, these nutrient-rich plants provide bees with a kind of relief after the continuous loss of habitat linked to agricultural use and insecticides. Bees in particular 'like' hemp sativa, a variety that Cornell researchers claim has been able to help and attract as many as '16 different species'. What attracts the bees is the pollen from the hemp plantations, which is rich and abundant, replacing for the insects the great floral shortage that is occurring in agricultural areas especially in late summer.

In addition, according to biologists, cannabis plants could prove to be a valuable nutritional resource for the entire insect community, so much so that they claim: "Growers, land managers and policy makers should consider its value in sustaining bee communities and take into account its attractiveness to bees when developing pest management strategies." Attention to pollinating insects is growing and initiatives in their favour are increasingly numerous. An example of this are the various projects relating to the creation of 'ecological corridors', specifically designed to attract these precious insects and provide them with sustenance. However, the underlying problem remains, namely the excessive use of pesticides and insecticides in agriculture.