LA Times Asks "Is Humboldt's Competitive Advantage in Growing Pot, or in Growing Pot Illegally?

Anna Hamilton:Organizer of the What’s After Pot Forum

“Is Humboldt’s competitive advantage in growing pot, or in growing pot illegally?”  That is the $64 million dollar question asked today by LA Times reporter Sam Quinones. The article at the time of this writing was barely two hours old yet it was already the number two viewed story today.

The thoughtful piece asks whether Humboldt County will be able to survive the probable legalization of pot.  It asks, do we have something more than just marijuana’s illegality and this area’s difficult terrain and relatively tolerant attitudes putting us at the top of the cannabis market?

Quinones points out that the possibilities if marijuana goes legal are unpredictable.  He gives voice to the standard wisdom that prices will drop but then quotes Humboldt’s economic professor Erick Eschker as saying, “If it’s regulated like cigarettes, you’re going to have a massive increase in demand for it… .

He then goes on to discuss the possibility of a cannabis tourist market and the branding of the Humboldt name–getting an appellation.  (He quotes Anna Hamilton as saying, “It’s appellation or Appalachia.”) But then discusses the real problem. “But achieving a Napa Valley of marijuana might require the kind of collective action that Humboldt weed growers have found anathema. Remarkably, Hamilton’s “What’s After Pot?” meeting was the first time the topic was discussed so openly and thus stunned many locals.”

As Quinones illustrates, Humboldt isn’t the only area grappling with this.  Mendocino will soon be having the same discussion as Humboldt. On April 24th, a similar meeting as the one held in Humboldt will be held in Ukiah with the featured topic “The Future of Cannabis in Northern California” and the featured speaker, Bert Mosier, the chief executive officer of the Ukiah Chamber of Commerce.  Will Mendocino growers and business owners build on the foundation begun here in Humboldt?  Will they find ways of protecting their economy?  I hope they do but I also hope the Humboldt business community, the Humboldt County government officials and the Humboldt Growers will continue  to work together and look for ways to save our county.

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Slamdunk
Guest
13 years ago

Interesting post. I think with the economy and changing attitudes many other communities will have similar discussions.

Joe Blow
Guest
13 years ago

To quote: “Humboldt’s economic professor Erick Eschker as saying, ‘If it’s regulated like cigarettes, you’re going to have a massive increase in demand for it… .'”

And this is a good thing for the community? More like added insult to injury!

Not according to what Roger Morgan puts out in the Thursday, April 8, 2010 Times-Standard – My Word: “Find a different way to make a living.”

Joe Blow
Guest
13 years ago

To quote: “Humboldt’s economic professor Erick Eschker as saying, ‘If it’s regulated like cigarettes, you’re going to have a massive increase in demand for it… .'”

And this is a good thing for the community? More like added insult to injury!

Not according to what Roger Morgan puts out in the Thursday, April 8, 2010 Times-Standard – My Word: “Find a different way to make a living.”

Mr. Nice
Guest
Mr. Nice
13 years ago

It’s the climate. This L.A. Times article doesn’t seem to understand that there are plenty of counties that grow a boatload of outdoor, far more than the Em-Tri area. These places have even sketchier rural terrain to grow in.

The reason Napa is Napa is not because some people in Napa decided oh let’s grow some random wine grapes here, it is that way due to the perfect climate for growing high-bred wine grapes.

Same thing with Castroville, purely climate conditions for the massive produce crops. I see a weed Castroville in Humboldt’s future. Get ready for ten buds for a dollar stands on the side of the road (once it is federally/internationally legal)

Mr. Nice
Guest
Mr. Nice
13 years ago

It’s the climate. This L.A. Times article doesn’t seem to understand that there are plenty of counties that grow a boatload of outdoor, far more than the Em-Tri area. These places have even sketchier rural terrain to grow in.

The reason Napa is Napa is not because some people in Napa decided oh let’s grow some random wine grapes here, it is that way due to the perfect climate for growing high-bred wine grapes.

Same thing with Castroville, purely climate conditions for the massive produce crops. I see a weed Castroville in Humboldt’s future. Get ready for ten buds for a dollar stands on the side of the road (once it is federally/internationally legal)