Well, that didn't last long-Colorado Is Running Out of Marijuana Thanks to Insatiable Weed Tourists

[Scuba]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/colorado-is-running-out-of-marijuana-thanks-to-insatiable-weed-tourists/

Less than a week — five days, really — after Colorado enthusiastically began the legal sale of marijuana, the state is facing a harrowing shortage of pot. Citing a report from the Denver Post, TIME estimates that the state’s thirty-seven (or more) stores licensed to sell marijuana will likely run out of their supplies sometime this week, with one shop owner predicting that she would run out by today.

However, the cause of this weed run isn’t due to the fine, upstanding citizens of Colorado — rather, it’s the damn migrant tourists coming into Denver and taking all the ganja. “By most accounts, since Jan. 1 more than half of pot sales have gone to non-Coloradans,” TIME reports, referring to these tourists as “smoke birds.” (Aw, how cute.)

While this seems to be a classic Econ 101 textbook problem (“Please plot a supply and demand curve calculating how much marijuana the state of Colorado needs to maintain a permanent buzz”), the legalized weed shortage could, paradoxically, boost the sale of illegal marijuana. Many stores have implemented sure pricing due to insane demand, with some stores selling weed at $400/oz, and this has left some former drug dealers plotting:

Once you factor in taxes, as well as the fact that it looks like shops may periodically be sold out for a while, and some are saying the situation is one that could push pot enthusiasts back to buying marijuana on the black market. “People will get real tired of paying the taxes real fast,” one street dealer in Pueblo named Tracy told the Chieftain. “When you can buy an ounce from me for $225 to $300, the state adds as much as $90 just for the tax.”

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. I bet that dealer had it bad with the cops after him. Wait till the revenuers get after him.

If you get caught with weed how will the cops know if it was purchased legally?

I bet the enterprising pigs will be waiting across state lines looking for non-Colorado plates.

[Niceguy1]

4. yeah, once they leave CO

The weed becomes illegal.

[LeftofObama]

2. I was kind of wondering about that.

Since pot is legal in CO. do you have to keep your receipt to prove you didn't buy it on the black market. I'm not a pot smoker, but if I were I would think it would be much less expensive to just buy it from the guy on the street.

[pipoman]

10. no

It is legal for anyone with weed to give it to any over age adult. It is legal for anyone to possess up to an oz. Don't have to go to dispensaries, in fact that is probably why most dispensaries are reporting out of staters buying 1/2 the weed...they don't know anyone locally to get it from.

[JVS]

3. There seems to be a lot of focus on the demand side of this shortage. What I want to know is how..

supply is handled. Are there massive grow operations going on legally in CO or what?

[indie9197]

13. Right now it is coming from the medical marijuana suppiers, it appears

As of January 1, the stores can start growing their own.

http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24823785/colorado-marijuana-guide-64-answers-commonly-asked-questions

[intheflow]

20. That's it exactly!

We knew this was going to happen. It was engineered into the law to keep the streets from becoming overrun (in the politicians minds).

That Denver Post link is the most invaluable news piece that's been posted about our new laws. Absolutely THE go-to piece.

[thelordofhell]

5. Beware Of Bein' The Roller......When There's Nothin'.....Left.....To Roll

[Warren DeMontague]

6. Clearly there is a demand for legal weed.

Other states should take note. Particularly ones that have had large underground economies for years around the stuff.

[upaloopa]

7. Geez what a cluster fuck

You should just be able to grow it and smoke it like growing and eating food.

[earthside]

11. You can.

I believe it is legal to grow/have something like six plants of your own at anytime here in Colorado now.

So, if you want to have your own growing facility in your house (kind of cold to grow it outdoors right now) you can "grow it and smoke it like growing and eating food."

[upaloopa]

14. So the only people who need to buy it are from out of state

or who don't want to grow it

[earthside]

15. It will take awhile for this to all shake out.

I was talking to a friend today who buys from a 'non-legal' source (because we have legal sources in Colorado now). He plans to continue to do so because currently the supply and price is better from that source.

Of course, the thing is that now it is totally legal to have the marijuana in your possession ... and you don't have to have a receipt in order to prove your right to own it.

So, there will clearly be downward pressure on prices as the months go by and folks grow their own, as legal sellers get competitive with other legal sellers, and as the black-market bids to still undercut the legal market price (which is taxed).

What is also interesting is the number of old folks in line at the new pot stores -- I think a lot of people (especially politicians and preachers) cannot comprehend just how pervasive pot smoking has been in our culture since the 1960s. However, I think it is a relief to many 'older' people that now their possession is legal! No more sneaking around.

[jberryhill]

52. It doesn't grow overnight, you know

Yes, you can start a grow, which will take you some time to get everything together, find a good source of seeds, and then you are looking at least eight weeks of growing and then a few weeks of drying and curing.

So, no, making it legal to grow on January 1 doesn't mean that anyone who wanted to grow pot legally has some other source of legal pot.

Not until some time in March at the most optimistic.

[RainDog]

69. LOL. So Colorado has just expanded its market base

No doubt things will calm down after this initial period of "newness."

But this will put pressure on nearby states when they see the revenue CO is taking from catering to people in their states who would be putting their money into that states' coffers via taxes rather than CO's.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some busts, etc. and the problem with CO being legal is this same pressure on other states. Who knows how that's going to play out, but in rightwing strongholds, with elections on the horizon for the fall, some state AG may want to try to make a name by being a big bad drug warrior.

I would think twice about that, if I were such a person, considering sentiment, even among many conservatives, is to end prohibition because of cost doesn't indicate any real gains. It's a giant suck of money. But federal money goes to local law enforcement and I'm sure some want to protect that turf.

Like I said before, transition times have dangers.

But I don't think we've seen anything to justify federal nullification of CO's law.

[intheflow]

22. You can't grow it outside no matter the weather.

Not even for home use. According to the Denver Post, it has to be grown in an "enclosed, locked space that is not open or public. That's pretty broadly-written, but a safe interpretation would mean a basement room or closet that can be locked."

http://www.denverpost.com/homegarden/ci_24782729/growing-your-own-marijuana-colorado-legal-doesnt-mean#ixzz2pfvmM02I

[earthside]

27. But I think a greenhouse is okay.

I had a neighbor who was a grower for a medical marijuana dispensary -- he used a small greenhouse that he put-up in his backyard.

[intheflow]

30. Sure as long as it's lockable.

I think the no-growing-outside law is stupid, anyway. It's not like there aren't trespassing and theft laws. If someone went onto your property and stole apples off your tree or veggies from your raised beds, that would be illegal. Why not apply the same logic to any pot plants? It's paranoia from the people who don't even do paranoia-inducing drugs.

*Edited because I'm famous for typos that are real words and thus missed by spellcheck.

[bluedigger]

53. But it's still a controlled substance.

Nobody cares if the neighbor kids steal your tomatos (except you). Try leaving a tapped keg in the front yard.

[intheflow]

71. Ah! Point well taken!

I hadn't looked at it from that angle. But then, I've never been much of a drinker.

[Le Taz Hot]

45. We've had that in my county in California for

a couple of years now. No one pays attention to it. The cops fly their helicopter right over my back yard all the time. They know it's there. They've known it's been there for years. They don't care. Just as long as you're not being stupid about it and trying to grow 500 plants outdoors. They really don't care about my 10 or 12 plants.

[earthside]

57. That's what will happen here.

Summers may not be long enough ... but my hunch is that if you were to grow six plants between your tomatoes or in with your zucchini or pole beans, no one is going to come and arrest you.

Let's face it, some things in the new law in Colorado were put there is calm down the nervous Nellies and make it easier to get approved by the voters. There are things that are simply unenforceable.

[otohara]

19. Just Grow It - Right...

first you have to buy a boatload of stuff... lights, timers, containers, nutrients. A nice temperature controlled room with some humidity works best.
Pot plants are super sensitive to fungus, insects.
Someone I know grew some outside and it was moldy gross.

It takes a whole lot of know-how to grow good weed.

[msongs]

33. rules on grow your own are deliberately onerous to discourage just such a thing nt

[Alittleliberal]

43. Way harder then you think.

There will always be a giant demand for quality dispensary product, the growers can't reach enough people on there own and its incredibly difficult to grow well. You need a lot of knowledge, experience and fairly expensive set ups. For the it is a long adn expensive hobby.

[Yavin4]

8. High demand creates jobs

And I don't mean that kind of "High".

[DevonRex]

9. We are closing our borders at midnight tonight.

It's our weed.

[otohara]

21. Including Colorado Springs

Dumb GOP asses in the red counties with their morals and fear.
Weed bad, guns good.

[DevonRex]

24. We should send them

to Kansas. The Dems stay, the nuts go join Fred Phelps.

[daleanime]

37. Not fair to the good folks in Kansas....

its always rough to find some place to dump your toxic waste.

[DevonRex]

62. We're inviting the good folk in KS to take

their place. After all, you're right. Plus, they've put up with Fred long enough. They deserve a little weed.

[daleanime]

65. For putting up with Him?

They deserve a lifetime supply.

[lindysalsagal]

40. In related story: Pizza parlors and all-night convenience stores sell-out and await new food deliver

ies.

[bluedigger]

54. I work in a convenience store in CO.

I swear I get a contact high just from serving a customer at least once a shift.

[FSogol]

61. MASSIVE DORITOS SHORTAGE PLAGUES COLORADO. NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED.

[DevonRex]

64. We have the Walking Stoned. If we cook the doorbell rings...

Some go right to the pot on the stove. Some sit at the dinner table and just wait quietly. Others go into the family room, light up, grab the remote and ask when supper will be ready. You have to watch out for them.

[lindysalsagal]

72. Time to get the locks changed

I really don't want to live like that.

[Exultant Democracy]

12. Oh yeah the taxes and the demand generated by toursits will keep the black market going

it is a little sad, but I guess having that much money flow from outside into the state is a great problem to have. However it would be even better if they could beat the black market price, just because of all the negative outliers caused by the industry.

[Auntie Bush]

16. Time to dial up the drug cartels. I'm sure they'd be happy to oblige.

[temporary311]

17. Yeah, but how is their supply of cheetos holding up?

[Blue Owl]

18. The invisible hand is holding

n/t

[nyquil_man]

23. I would expect that supply will increase and demand will taper off.

Eventually, there will be a balance.

[lindysalsagal]

42. Of course it will.

[Ken Burch]

25. Wonder if Zonker and Zipper covered their nut?

[WinkyDink]

26. I want the Doritos franchise.

[Th1onein]

28. I'm sorry, but the title of your post is funny as hell!

[arely staircase]

29. there go my spring break plans nt

[intheflow]

31. We'll have more stock by then!

[msongs]

32. mexican cartel gets new life by supplying the demand at lower prices. way to go colorado nt

[Alittleliberal]

41. They grow shit.

Most Black market bud in the us comes from cali/BC.

[Blue_Tires]

67. Mexican ditch is about the only drug that should be banned for such low quality

Please America, DO NOT SMOKE BRICK WEED. I have several friends that worked in the MJ fields in Mexico, and they assure me that bammer is riddled with pesticides, herbicides, and in some cases, actual human waste. Also, every gram of the budget menace is sold for the purpose of making cartels money. Could you imagine a debate about marijuana legalization that didn’t involve cartels? That is an argument that neo-cons cling to, despite the fact that it is significantly flawed. True herb heads know that their nugs have nothing to do with cartels. But, with Americans smoking bammer, neo-cons always have something to point to.

http://www.theweedblog.com/does-anyone-still-smoke-brick-weed/

[blackspade]

34. Perhaps rationing might be in order until the supply catches up.

Price controls might have to be implemented as well to stall the illegal drug market.

[Bennyboy]

35. This story is bullshit.

What is happening is that people that have been in the pot business are telling the profiteers to go fuck themselves and are keeping their weed and selling it the way they always have, not through commercial outlets.

Not taxed, cash only.....

The demand in CO is finite. It has not gone up and there is not a huge bunch of "new" pot smokers toking up due to the legality. Pot tourism might be part of this but that goes on every day in regards to Colorado.

[MindMover]

36. I agree ... tooooo many growers to be short on weed ... and an ounce going for 225 ,,,

RIDICULOUS ...

[Bennyboy]

38. Yep, that 225 oz is about 125 wholesale to the grower.

Ain't no grower that i know of that is going to sell his weed for that. Screw the profiteers.

[ProgressSaves]

44. Then they should be punished.

If these assholes can't play by the rules, then they can occupy those cells that will now be freed up from the end of unjust possession arrests.

[Bennyboy]

46. Well.

Would you give up your livelihood? Settle for a dime on the dollar in order for there to be a profit level, of which you will not participate in, that did not exist a week ago?

[morningfog]

48. LOL. Those assholes are heroes. The growers and the suppliers have been the

risking their lives and liberty for decades to keep the rest in supply. They have been at it much longer than the state of Colorado. It will all work out fine.

[ProgressSaves]

58. Tax evaders are not heroes. nt

[Go Vols]

68. Boston Tea Party ...

[MindMover]

49. What planet r u from ...

[ProgressSaves]

59. One that does not glorify tax evasion.

That is not a progressive stance.

[Bennyboy]

56. Black Market weed still thriving weed in CO.....

The black market for weed in Colorado is still thriving, despite the existence of retail shops that sell it legally, according to exclusive interviews with growers, dealers and weed industry experts.

There are a number of reasons that people still call their dealers instead of visiting one of the state’s 37 new Amsterdam-style dispensaries, which opened for business Jan. 1. Number one is the price: retail weed in Colorado sells for a whopping $65 or $70 an eighth, depending on quality.

Those high prices are mostly due to sky-high sales and excise taxes. Even though much of those taxes go to a good cause, the price on the black market is much lower for the same amount. Steven, a University of Colorado Boulder student who sells weed illegally, told The Huffington Post he only charges $30 an eighth for top-quality herb — less than half the price it would cost at a recreational dispensary. (Steven’s name has been changed to protect his identity.)



http://houseofdabs.com/black-market-weed-still-thriving-colorado/

[Egalitarian Thug]

47. They're just being greedy while they still can. I don't expect that many of the pot retailers are

drooling morons, so they knew that this spike was coming and they're going to cash in on it as long as it lasts.

Trust me, there's plenty of pot available for people that live there.

[Egnever]

50. LOl yea its the tax that is the problem..

Tracy is clueless.

[TlalocW]

51. Damn it, Seth Rogan!

Leave some for everyone else!

TlalocW

[silvershadow]

55. Based on reports of $ made thus far, Colorado will find more. Trust me. nt

[Dash87]

60. Legalize weed everywhere, then :)

[Arkana]

63. In a totally unrelated story, gas stations and convenience stores

are also experiencing shortages of Funyuns, Cheetos, and Doritos.

[Blue_Tires]

66. If the Denver Nuggets over the years didn't smoke the state completely clean

(and believe me, they have tried), then no temporary reefer rush from ou-of-towners will do it....

[kentuck]

70. Those damn "smoke birds" !