When Marijuana is Legalized…Let's Think Proactively

expert

Professional Clippers abound in the Emerald Triangle

Legalizing marijuana has become a question not if but when (probably not in the next year but, almost certainly in the next twenty).  The problem for Humboldt and the Emerald Arena is societal acceptance in the form of laws means economic breakdown.  Or does it?  Can this area capitalize on its marijuana expertise? According to an editorial in the Ukiah Daily Journal, it can.

The author, Janie Sheppard, speculates that economic laws as stated by Nobel Prize winner, Paul Krugman, indicate that areas of production center around areas of expertize i.e. the Netherlands and Tulips.  In other words, the North Coast, long a center for illegal grows could become a center for legal production of marijuana if it capitalizes on the specialized knowledge of its people.  One commenter to the editorial speculated,  …”a million different opportunities will rise from the end of prohibition, everything from coffee-shops, head shops, delivery services, bakeries, hydro stores, etc. The taxes generated could be used to build our state into a self reliant super-economy.”

Our counties already have a base of knowledgeable marijuana professionals (yes, the word applies) these folks could start or man small businesses. Tourist industries, already a staple in this region could expand and small “winery” type grows that specialize in certain flavors or certain medicinal strains could become legal and licensed.

Taxes, licensing, following regulations and other legitimate debts will take a bite out of profits.  Costs will drop but probably not precipitously  as long as other states maintain laws against production (Worldwide legalization is ideal but not imminent.) Conversely, though, expenses associated with illegality i.e. money used to conceal production, lawyer fees, etc. will drop.

If we start a conversation now on how to work within the probable new laws (and even work to ensure the new  laws don’t result in financial catastrophe for areas of the Emerald Arena), we might not just survive the change, we might flourish.

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Joe Blow
Guest
15 years ago

“… we might flourish.” Who is the “we”?

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Joe, I think the whole county, indeed the whole area, will suffer as the fallout from legalizing marijuana spreads across the North Coast. Therefore, the whole area will benefit by planning for the future legalization of marijuana which is almost assuredly rolling towards us like a giant wave. We can surf it or we can be sucked under.

headwrapper
Guest
15 years ago

Gertrude Stein said on her deathbed, the answer comes before the question

bubba t. briarhopper
Guest
15 years ago

Didn’t someone mention tax base on my secession article:) You’ve answered your own question! We could indeed become the Napa of vintage marijuana, or as we like to say up in my holler, the Napa-lachia of ganja. Although, I foresee the predictable static from the usual naysayers, it seemed realistic enough to the tobacco companies, all of whom years ago already designed their marijuana marketing packages. Besides, it’s essential pseudo-legal at this point and not likely to go revert back to its former status. Why? Because with the exception of the vocal few, most people just don’t care about marijuana. Witness the recent Michael Phelps incident. Three days after his bog smoking pic appeared, approximately 75-80% of people polled in a Fox News poll said they could care less if Phelps smoked pot. Yes, Fox News, bastion of neocon pinheadism, couldn’t even spin this one.

We already have the branding, as the Humboldt name largely became famous through the growth of the underground agricultural economy. Then we can sell them all the other great stuff we make once we get them here!

Ernie's Place
Guest
15 years ago

They already call 215 cards “Legally Stupid Cards”. Where are we going to find enough marijuana users to pay all of the taxes, and pay all the land and grower accessory costs, and still glean a profit for the grower.

Where is all of this wealth going to come from? Bailout money? Increased unemployment payments?

At some point somebody is going to have to have a job, somebody is going to have to grow a carrot, right here in America. Some body is going to have to come up with energy for industry, right here in America.

We need to stop smoking the shit, and get a clue. Marijuana is not going to solve our problems, legal or not.

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
15 years ago

Amen, Ernie.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Bubba, I agree that most people just don’t care that much about marijuana anymore. (I’m not sure about that cigarette makers have brands all ready to go story though. I’ve spent a few minutes trying to track that down and can’t find anything authoritative–if anyone has any facts I would love them.) I agree that marijuana is seen as no worse than alcohol or cigarettes by the majority of Americans.

Ernie and Bluelaker, people are still buying marijuana now and we are definitively in a recession. I hear prices, while not astronomical, are still hitting close to the same mark as last year. See here for how alcohol sales are staying high and states are talking about relaxing rules on alcohol in order to make more money.

However, I don’t think legalizing marijuana will solve the economic woes of the world. But I do think it is the moral thing to do, the intelligent thing to do and it IS going to happen. So let’s be prepared.

headwrapper
Guest
15 years ago

They already call 215 cards “Legally Stupid Cards”.

I’m all for sparking one up and getting stoopid! And while we’re at it let’s not become a part of The Machine any more than we already are. Marijuana use does alter behavior and thinking. It urges one towards the peace of nature and away from the insanity of the bureaucratic/scientific/technological/industrial complex –The Machine. Towards the intelligence of our emotions and away from that kind of thinking that wants everything to be always in control –leaving no room for the unexpected.

stop smoking the shit, and get a clue… somebody is going to have to have a job… Some body is going to have to come up with energy for industry, right here in America.

Alcohol is the drug favored by industry for exploiting the worker. In the industrialist mindset pot smoking is looked down upon because pot heads are dreamers. They tend to think for themselves rather than for the Man, the Boss, the Control freak, the status quo. The line is that marijuana makes for an uncontrollable and unreliable work force. “We need people who will do as they’re told, toe the line, punch the clock, get their head out of the clouds, get with the program, get a clue, be a cog in The Machine.”

somebody is going to have to grow a carrot, right here in America.

Seeing that Kym is likely right and legalization is inevitable, I agree that NOW is the time for Humboldt potheads to dream the dream of our future before we find someone else telling us, There’s no longer any place for impractical dreamers around here.

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

The scent of freedom implied in the notion of when, not if, is intoxicating for many of us.

Ernie brings the perspective of the greater economic picture which consigns many of our romantic ideas to the pipedream category.
Since the reality of legalization is years in the future, it can’t hurt to talk about what that might look like and how we might capitalize on the local horticultural expertise.

From my reading of Dr. Ted Courtney’s cutting edge information on the medecinal properties of the different constituents, it would seem that there is a huge potential market in topical salves derived from the non-THC cannibinoids found in the leaves, and in the leaves themselves for ingestion. Arthritis relief is a huge industry to enter….if big Pharma lets us dabble. As more and more research is allowed we will understand when the sprouts/leaves are at the peak of their CBD potency, and a non-THC based marijuana food and medecine may emerge.

It is common knowledge that the economic potential hemp was starting to pose a threat to the timber/paper industry in the thirties with the development of new fiber processing machines.
Resurrecting the American hemp industry might create jobs, as we are talking a renewable agricultural resource that produces more per acre than timber. But with lumber sales down, can’t imagine there is much start-up money for this.

Here are few ideas for discourse.

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

…should read “It is common knowledge that hemp was starting to pose a potential economic threat to the timber/paper industry…”.
sorry

Bunny
Guest
Bunny
15 years ago

What’s this “we” need to stop smoking Ernie my friend? How about “you” need to start. You have such strong opinions but say you have never smoked any. That alone is an amazing sentence. What 64 year old non Christian man
living in Humboldt Co hasn’t at least smoked some. We know you would love it and have a lot of fun and laughs and your brain would think up even more interesting things. Then you might have to change your mind.

I do know why you might think how you think living in Garberville but look at all the people you like and respect, we’re not all idiots. These are druggie times we live in and I believe pot to be among the least of them all.

Ernie's Place (Branscomb)
Guest

Bunny, I’ll probably have a MJ brownie or something when they run out of alcohol. Until then it’s pretty safe. I can’t even stand the smell of it.

I gave up smoking cigarettes when I was ten years old because I decided that smoking was stupid and juvenile, and I still think smoking is stupid. And you are right MJ is no more harmful than a cigarette. But, one drink of alcohol a day is beneficial.

And no, I’m not saying smokers are stupid. I’m saying that smoking is stupid, harmful, and not very wise. I think that anything is okay to “Use” if you weigh the risks. Some people just flat need it, I don’t.

And, I think that I have a great sense of humor even without being stoned. I think that if a tree falls in the woods and nobody is around to hear it, that it still makes a noise, I never even had to wonder about that. Sorry.

If this sounded a little Frank I’m sorry, I was trying to be Ernest.

nursemyra
Guest
15 years ago

food for thought Kym. I’ll cogitate a little longer

bluelaker4
Guest
bluelaker4
15 years ago

LOL at your last sentence, Ernie.

archiearchive FCD
Guest
15 years ago

Much as I would like to see most substances legalised, I fear that the economic benefits may be illusory. Make it legal and many people will not even bother with it.

Having said that, once you take into consideration the legal savings (police, courts, goals) perhaps there would be a major change in the financial climate.

Oh dear – I contradicted myself within the space of two sentences!

Kitty
Guest
15 years ago

I hope they do legalize it. I don’t see much difference between weed and alcohol. It’s a waste of money to keep pot dealers in jail. they need to go after the ones who deal the harder drugs.

Dave
Guest
Dave
15 years ago

I have 3 points.

First, Tourism. We’re already a tourist destination. Look at Amsterdam. We could definitely increase tourist dollars with MJ legalization.

Second, Like others have alluded to I think we shouldn’t fool ourselves and think that wealthy well established businesses are going to let MJ come along and cut into their profits. They will be prepared and they will make a move to have all or as much of the profits for themselves.

Third, I spent more than 20 years in public safety, not LE, and saw only a handful, no more, of people with a problem associated with MJ. While people with some problem related to alchohol were a daily occurence. ANYONE who says alchohol is ok but pot is bad is either terribly misinformed, a hypocrit or an idiologue.

Ernie's Place (Branscomb)
Guest

“ANYONE who says alchohol is ok but pot is bad is either terribly misinformed, a hypocrit or an idiologue.”

Hypocrit never, Idiolog maybe. Here’s to you.

Dave
Guest
Dave
15 years ago

At least you admit to it.

dave
Guest
15 years ago

Hot topic Kym.

I just got back last night and have been reading the blogs this morning. At least one thinks I’m a dreamer for saying pot could help states/people in these hard times if legalized, as I editorialized in last Sunday’s column for the T-S.

Maybe I am a dreamer, but I think a lot of good could come from legalization.

Mr. Nice
Guest
Mr. Nice
15 years ago

I gave up smoking cigarettes when I was ten years old because I decided that smoking was stupid and juvenile, and I still think smoking is stupid. And you are right MJ is no more harmful than a cigarette. But, one drink of alcohol a day is beneficial.

Who is to say half a gram of the “blue cross” per day is not beneficial? Who made that discovery? If not beneficial, where is the evidence to say it is harmful? I know that is a negative argument since neither case has been proven, but that is the point.

The evidence I read about cannabis is about fake increased risk of testicular cancer from 1 in 10,000 to 1.6 in 10,000 (males, of course). I also read about Swedish schizophrenia studies that conflict with other studies using the exact same methods. The truth is that we don’t know anything solid about the benefits or drawbacks of cannabis because the government doesn’t want us to and won’t allow proper research to be done in order to find out.

Ernie, if you actually believe the nonsense studies about daily solvent intake being a good thing, what do you think about studies that show one glass of alcohol per day increases cancer rates among women? Conflicting studies on moderate drinking show an allegedly positive effect on liver disease and an allegedly negative effect on cancer incidence. If these studies so obviously conflict, why are people so willing to believe one-sided cannabis studies? We should be more skeptical especially when the alcohol studies are done on sample sizes in the millions and cannabis studies are done with a few dozen subjects. Cultural bias is my only explanation for people wanting to believe one or another conflicting but plausible idea to be the truth. People like to believe that their lifestyle is good and the lifestyle of others is bad.

Next we’ll be hearing about how a sausage and a bag of pork rhinds a day is good for us (sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council).

Ernie's Place
Guest
15 years ago

Mr. Nice

Okay you be Nice and I’ll be Ernest.

“Ernie, if you actually believe the nonsense studies about daily solvent intake being a good thing,”

I realize that I’m being ridiculous here, but water is also a solvent, and it has some serious side effects if inhaled. It can transmit diseases, it absorbs oxygen, I could go on, but I’m sure that you get my point.

If I would preach anything, it would be moderation. However, we all justify our addictions, no matter how moderate. But, I can tell you from personal experience that there are a hell of a lot more people here in Garberville that think that they can function while they are stoned than people that try to function while drunk. Work a counter for an hour and you will soon get my point. Even a drunk knows what his name is.

Mr. Nice
Guest
Mr. Nice
15 years ago

I realize that I’m being ridiculous here, but water is also a solvent, and it has some serious side effects if inhaled. It can transmit diseases, it absorbs oxygen, I could go on, but I’m sure that you get my point.

That’s not ridiculous at all. I would go as far to say that the recommendation to drink 8 glasses of water per day resembles the recommendation of 1 glass of alcohol per day. Both ideas have inspired peer-reviewed studies and articles challenging these assumptions.

The origin of “8 glasses of water per day” is widely thought to be the Food and Nutrition Board’s recommendation for “one ml of water per calorie of food” which goes on to say “most of this quantity is contained in prepared foods.” This recommendation is clear: drink water with dry food. It does not say drink 8 glasses of water to match daily caloric intake, but people took it that way. Eight glasses of water per day is little more than a ploy to sell bottled water with no verifiable benefits.

If I would preach anything, it would be moderation. However, we all justify our addictions, no matter how moderate. But, I can tell you from personal experience that there are a hell of a lot more people here in Garberville that think that they can function while they are stoned than people that try to function while drunk. Work a counter for an hour and you will soon get my point. Even a drunk knows what his name is.

I wouldn’t consider the people of Garberville to be a good representation of the average cannabis using citizen’s cannabis intake. I’ve known people in places like Garberville, Briceland, Honeydew, etc. who use enough cannabis in a week to supply a soccer player, a sumo wrestler, and Michael Phelps for a year. Does it matter if cannabis is legal or not to people who already want to smoke multiple blunts every day? In my view, they are going to do so regardless of legality, so why not try to make society a bit safer for the rest of us?

To see the effect of cannabis on people’s minds, I would look no further than how easily students cope with cannabis use at colleges. This is especially true in difficult schools and among students enrolled in difficult programs where cannabis use is most prevalent. The intelligent people of the world are conscious enough to use cannabis in a positive manner and yet receive the same treatment as the irresponsible smokestacks. This all or nothing approach is similar to labeling people who drink a couple of beers as brain-dead alcoholics.

I would preach not to drink alcohol at all if I thought anyone would listen. As I know people will continue to slam whiskey no matter what I preach, I am glad there is not a dangerous black market for alcohol which ensures that people’s drunken ways affect me as little as possible. I wish the same were true for the cannabis market.

What you are saying about working the counter in Garberville is begging the question. If I were to base my opinion of drinking on experience serving drinks to alcoholics, I might come to the irrational conclusion that the worst drinking behavior represents the norm. Keep in mind that people who can respond at the counter and are acting quite alert are not going to say “oh, by the way, I am high in case you were wondering.”

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

the flip side of this is how many business employees in this area work while high. no need for names… and they do it well enough that unless they are just back from their break, you can’t tell. many more than one might suspect.
it is hempsterdam ’round here.

Ernie's Place (Branscomb)
Guest

Thanks Mr. Nice, I always enjoy your responses.

OMR, Get outside and soak up some of this sunshine! But don’t get too much, I understand that it causes cancer. Just another example of a reason that we should practice moderation.

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

ernie, thank you for your concern, moderation is best. that sun felt so good earlier, i had to take a nap after that last comment.
now if you were to substitute the words ‘the middle path’ for moderation, the hippies might hear ya better, and maybe even venerate you a little. there are a lot of practicing buddists in the area.

remember the ozone hole is weakest in the spring over our latitudes, so take it easy on the early color my fellow tannees…

thevoice@voicedup.com
Guest
agnerrah
Guest
agnerrah
15 years ago

Legalizing marijuana has become a question not if but when (probably not in the next year but, almost certainly in the next twenty).????

I have heard this since 1972.

SSDD

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

me too. i was in michigan in the early ’70’s when ann arbor went to a small fine for possession ($35? or something)….which was about the cost of an ounce. we thought it would happen all over.
while it is mildly euphoric to dream or plan about the eventuality, there are some big financial interests (big Pharma, and the booze companies) who are behind the scenes players.
legalization probably won’t happen because it is right, but because someone has found a way to make money for the state…

TjandMark
Guest
15 years ago

Thanks Kym for starting such a lively dialogue. I know very little about such things, but I do think legalization is in the future and unfortunately the powers that are will jump in and grow mass produced MJ. While boutique MJ will be desired by some, it will probably not be the choices of the masses. This county will have to find other means for most of its economy, I think.

Ernie's Place
Guest
15 years ago

So, where do we start? Should we try to get some honest politicians, or should we just pay-off some of old old ones?

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

i believe diogenes went looking for an honest man with a lantern on the streets of athens during the day time some years back. no luck. i ‘spect the same would be true in sacredemento.
we look to the politicians but they are not employed by us, they are in job training for more lucrative positions in business world.

olmanriver
Guest
olmanriver
15 years ago

i liked this paragraph from that ukiah opinion: “Seeing legalization on the horizon, the Sheriff and his deputies brainstormed priorities. They figured out that the serious problems (not per se breaking the law) came from large-scale growers using diesel powered generators to run the lights and fans required for indoor grows. Also causing big problems were the out-of-county residents who hired locals to tend marijuana gardens here, there, and everywhere. And, of course, the gun-toting, pit bull owning outlaws. The Sheriff realized that if he concentrated his efforts on the serious problems, he could win support of county residents. He also realized that shutting down local, small-scale growers hurt the local economy. He quit doing that.”

Auntie Mayme
Guest
15 years ago

I have smoked pot and have gone years without smoking pot. It does help ease pain and helps me alleviate panic attacks. For me, it works better than alcohol. I hope it is legalized soon.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Life overwhelmed these last few days but I am reading and taking in the comments–especially since I’ve been asked to write an article for Grow magazine on this subject. Anyone have anything they want included?

Auntie Mayme
Guest
15 years ago

Sure. Pot helps my mind to slow down enough to relax. It helps me feel physically stronger and makes manual labor and household tasks more enjoyable. It enhances my life and does not diminish it. I can also go long periods of time without it, too. But in an appropriate setting, it is enhances the moment.

Good luck with the article, Kym. Please post it!

Joe Blow
Guest
15 years ago

Kym,

…paragraph from that ukiah opinion: “Seeing legalization on the horizon, the Sheriff and his deputies brainstormed priorities. They figured out that the serious problems (not per se breaking the law) … The Sheriff realized that if he concentrated his efforts on the serious problems, he could win support of county residents. He also realized that shutting down local, small-scale growers hurt the local economy. He quit doing that.”

Mob (anarchy) rules!

Sooner or later everyone, in particular government and their enforcers, bows to the real vote (voter).

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

what is the article’s main theme?

omr
Guest
omr
15 years ago

sorry joe…. KYM- what is the main focus of the article?

kaivalya
Guest
kaivalya
15 years ago

Here is a recent debate which I enjoyed – Ron Paul vs. Stephen Baldwin
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufekh_SwZd0&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

kaivalya
Guest
kaivalya
15 years ago

My bad… here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufekh_SwZd0&

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Thanks Kaivlya. I’ll watch it tonight after the broadband isn’t an issue.

OMR, the main focus is going to be the new bill before congress–what it really says. And the possible outcome if marijuana is legalized, focusing on the positive aspects as the negative ones have been pretty thoroughly looked at.

Dale
Guest
15 years ago

I’ve been thinking along similar lines, and have made a Legalization Wiki at http://legalizationwiki.org to get more on the legislative side of this phenomenon. My idea is that if the legalization community can present its own idea of how the laws should be, we can prevent a lot of wasted effort on the part of our legislators. And we can also provide a framework for legalization so they don’t have to do all the work.

I think it’s pretty unlikely that there will only be a few states legalizing. Once it starts going down, it’s going to go down like the Berlin Wall. I think this has started already, so people shouldn’t get their hopes up on being an exclusive tourist spot.

In this light, it’s important to think about the big picture, about the many industries that will be brought into the legal economy. Even though all US states will eventually legalize it, those who act first will get the best shot at dominating these industries.

Joe Blow
Guest
15 years ago

I see you’re still monitoring this thread. Can you tell me what “opinion” olmanriver (March 12, 2009 at 8:52 pm)was talking about? I’ve thought some about that statement and if accurate it says something rather important.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Joe, he is talking about the excellent ed/op piece that I linked to in the first paragraph of this post from the Ukiah Journal. I believe the author was not talking about something that had happened but rather something that should happen.

Guerrilla in the Midst
Guest
Guerrilla in the Midst
15 years ago

There are few positive prospects for the specialty horticulture entrepreneurs who defy the current law of the land. People cite “name recognition” comparing Havana to Humboldt. It is not the same.

Cannabis can be grown anywhere by anyone under minimal conditions. So-called kind bud is little more than the result of adequate carbon dioxide, adequate humidity/nutrition/temperature, intense light, and curing method. The only difference between one kind bud to another is strain.

There are no strains which exist solely in Humboldt/Mendocino/So. Oregon/B.C. anymore. All formerly exclusive cannabis country varieties are now inferior to widely available cutting/seed varieties. It is not the same as it was in the 1980s and early 90s when there was “Mendocino Joe,” the “Purps,” “Romulan,” etc. There are no “Diesel” seeds to obtain at grateful dead concerts in Colorado. There is no “Headband” secret strain or fabled “Train Wreck” variety. Everyone and their little brother has what used to be elite genetic material.

If cannabis is legalized nationwide, open areas of ideal humidity in the Mid-West will be the largest outdoor producers of drug-quality crops. Areas of cheapest electricity will be the producers of indoor product. So. Humboldt and Mendocino have perfect climates for certain varieties developed for the climate which are useless in a situation where hiding in the woods is not a market advantage.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Guerrilla, I apologize. You keep getting stuck in my spam filter. I have to go fish you out.

I have heard that before and I’m not an expert on marijuana by any means and you seem very knowledgeable. I’m curious though, when moonshine was illegal it was just a basic liquor. When alcohol was again legalized, makers could concentrate on building unique bouquets and flavors. Wouldn’t the same be true here?

Joe Blow
Guest
15 years ago

Okay, thanks Kym.

I guess it was a bit much to expect something like that was really going on. Yet, there seems to be movement.

Mr. Nice
Guest
Mr. Nice
15 years ago

Joe, he is talking about the excellent ed/op piece that I linked to in the first paragraph of this post from the Ukiah Journal. I believe the author was not talking about something that had happened but rather something that should happen.

That’s a letter to the editor. The Ukiah Daily Journal editor… forgot her name… she thinks cannabis is a gateway drug. Her op/ed pieces are a little less than excellent.

Joe Blow
Guest
15 years ago

Her op/ed pieces are a little less than excellent.

Well, that figures. What caught my attention was the statement that the Sheriff would decide which laws to enforce or not. There are some Sheriff’s in this country that have a conscience, such a reject enforcing foreclosures. As societies last bastion against tyranny, most are nothing more than co-opted lackeys of the Federal Government.

Staff
Member
15 years ago

Mr. Nice thank you for clearing that up.

Joe, I remember that story about the sheriff back East, too. He impressed me!