Since people are talking about legalizing cannabis...

[Solon]

I wonder what the effect would be on the retail market, would we see products like this on the market?



Obviously, this is a parody, but I wonder, while you can grow cannabis in your own backyard, if you want to, you can also, in most places in the U.S., grow lettuce and tomatoes as well, but most people don't, they instead buy it at the store because of convenience. Now, I doubt, strongly, that cannabis would be any different, and I wouldn't be surprised, that if there is a serious push to legalize it in the United States, that the tobacco makers and entrepreneurs will want to cash in on this new, legalized, product.

I would expect that we would see a variety of blends and strains of cannabis used for different markets and customers. Cigar companies will most likely make prepackaged blunts, similar to how cigars are packaged, cigarette makers will make cannabis cigarettes. Both will most likely be blended appropriately, at various different strengths, some products blended with tobacco, etc.

This isn't a slam against legalization, indeed, I support that fully, I find it ludicrous that the government has waged a war against a plant, of all things. Assuming its taxed at similar rates to tobacco products, such as cigarettes, this is a huge potential revenue stream for the government, and it'll make the snack food industry happy as well. :D

[Warpy]

1. Growing cannabis would be like growing watermelons

and when it got close to harvest time, the grower would have to spend long nights out in a lawn chair with a shotgun loaded with rock salt across his lap. Some crops out there have a high theft rate. Pot would be one.

The best thing to do with backard pot is to grow it along with tomatoes in tomato cages. The pot has to be constantly pinched back so it doesn't tower over the 'maters, but the tomato plants provide enough cover that poachers don't think to examine all the leaves closely.

(disclaimer: this is not my idea nor have I ever done it. I just know some avid farmers)

[Solon]

4. True, but that's not exactly what I mean by most people not growing it...

People who live in apartments or flats, or simply don't want to put in an effort are the ones most likely to buy cannabis legally at retail shops. I imagine that only the most avid of smokers, who prefer it "pure" or the best, will grow it themselves, similar to other hobbyists, small garden growers, and horticulturists.

[Warpy]

16. Best pot farm I ever saw

back in the day was a guy who had a 1 3/4 bath apartment in a borough of NYC which shall remain nameless. The bathtub in the full bath was devoted to pot and it thrived under a skylight.

I often wonder what happened after he moved and the next tenants took over and found that bathtub full of potting soil!

Where there is a will (and gro lights) there is a way.

[Solon]

18. Of course, and I would never dispute that...

but, as of right now, such things are the norm only because pot is illegal to grow. Once legalized, there would be more options available to have access to it. Your friend, if he's an avid enthusiast, would probably continue to grow pot, the best varieties, under ideal conditions, as much as possible, if only for his own, and some other friends' personal use. Or he may start a business based on it, and become a business owner.

However, as I pointed out in other posts, most people who will buy pot for convenience's sake, if nothing else. People such as your friend may cash in, grow it as a home grower, but they will end up the minority, because of the increase in options for availability. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, I wouldn't mind being able to go to the nearest convenience store to buy a blunt if I wanted to. It would make things easier, to say the least.

[Irreverend IX]

25. It wouldn't have a high theft rate if it were legal...

Legalization would drive the price way down.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. That reminds me of this particular dealer I used to know

back in the old days who always had one of those fancy little metal cigarette cases in his pocket, in which he carried five or six different varieties for your smoking pleasure. He was a real connoisseur. :smoke:

[Bonobo]

3. I think that is a bad comparison, frankly. Here's why.

Simply put, cigarettes are complex nictotine delivery devices. A lot of money has been put into finding out how to best inject nictotine into the victim along with other compounds that help to addict you. What I am saying is, it isn't like growing tobacco in the backyard. It's tough to make a smokable tobaccom as compared to a cigarette.

Not so Cannabis. It is easy to get high quality stuff. Even if you didn't grow it yourself, your neighbor would probably. Or his neighbor. It would be everywhere.

I guess I am just saying that large corporations would not be able to monopolize it.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. That's correct.

It is very easy to grow. They don't call it "weed" for nothing. I often wonder how many little grow rooms there are here in Alaska where it's legal to have up to 25 plants growing in your house if it's for "personal use."

[Bonobo]

10. How many? A fucking ton of them.

We could save a lot of energy in the US simply by letting people grow their weed outdoors! Think of it! Growing a medicinal herb with the ENERGY of the SUN! WOW!!!

[Solon]

8. I didn't compare it to growing tobacco, but growing vegetables or fruits...

Usually, damn near everyone in a neighborhood can find at least one neighbor who gives them free fruits or vegetables from their home gardens, however grocery stores don't exactly lack customers for those fruits or vegetables in their stores. I'm saying that cannabis would be the same way, not nearly as monopolized as tobacco, because of the way it needs to be treated to make it marketable. But cannabis would be available in stores, just like lettuce, tomatoes, apples, etc. though not necessarily in the same aisle.

People will gladly pay for prepackaged convenience, even if they could grow it themselves.

[Bonobo]

11. True, true. I would hope their would be room for some local organic product too. nt

[Solon]

12. Who knows, maybe local farmer's markets will have a "smoking section"...

Oh yeah. :smoke:

I just figure that there would be two or three distinct markets for cannabis, similar to other agricultural products, there would be the industrial sector, big tobacco cashing in, there would be the organic growers, these would be hobbyists and breeders of the best varieties of the crop, and then there would be the home growers, who sell or give it away to neighbors.

[tridim]

13. I'd love to run my neighborhood co-op cannabis garden.

It's pretty cool that we're starting to talk at least semi-seriously about these issues now. Must be that Hope thing. :)

[Solon]

15. Yeah, I guess so...

though, I'm just thinking of it as a clerk at a convenience store would think of it, considering I am one, I just would find it funny for people to buy "funny cigarettes" from me legally. :)

[evlbstrd]

5. First, ditch the filter.

And they look like menthols. No good.

More benefits: fewer people in the courts, jails and prisons, tobacco farmers have an alternative crop, hemp is once again grown legally as well, the price goes down and I can jaunt down to the corner store for some bud.

[angstlessk]

7. I think you are probably correct..there would be such strict licensing restrictions

ONLY the rich pharmas, or the tobacco industry could afford to make and market..there will, of course be a black market..but I bet that will be like the MPAA?? those that share (sell) music...there will be fines and jail time that makes illegal pot look like the good old days!

[Solon]

9. I didn't say there would be strict licensing requirements...

though it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have some type of standardized method of determining what's a "true" cannabis cigarette or something, like it has to be more than 5% cannabis blended to be considered one or something. But that would be an industrial, not government standard.

All I'm saying is that legalizing it would actually bring such products about, whether strict licensing is practiced or not.

[Solon]

14. Just an FYI, Bonobo's thread only partially inspired this thread...

I work at a gas station, and we sell cigarettes and cigarillos, anyways, tonight, right before close, I had a customer come in, and we got to talking, and he started ranting about the stupid war on drugs, how its racist, and bullshit, etc. I agreed of course, though I seriously wanted him to leave, because it was already 10 minutes after close, anyways, I pointed out that if cannabis was legalized, there would be cannabis products sitting right next to all the tobacco products on the shelves behind and around me. It just got me thinking, that's all, I wonder what Marlboro would actually call the cigarettes they would make with cannabis in them anyways, Marlboro Greens?

Just got me thinking, that's all.

[dysfunctional press]

17. why wouldn't pillsbury put it in brownie mixes...

and have the dough-boy's Jamaican cousin as the pitchman.

if it were legal, it would hopefully be cheap enough to cook with it rather than smoke it.

[Solon]

19. They probably will, though it will most likely be controlled similarly to alcohol or tobacco is...

today. I total neglected that market, but this isn't an either/or proposition, I would imagine that Pillsbury, if they can, will make hash brownie mixes available. Its a thought.

[drmeow]

20. Look to Amsterdam

I don't think you'd see it in the grocery stores in filtered cigs in a box of 20 form. I think you are going to see a number of smoking shops which will sell loose tobacco, cigars, pot, hash (assuming that is also legal), pipes, papers, bongs, etc. I think you'll find pouch pot (like pouch tobacco) in the supermarkets and maybe some rolled joints. You'll be able to buy single joints rather than having to buy a pack. Also - pot/hash bars. Different states will have different laws just like with alcohol. The package store states will add MJ to the same system. The buy liquor anywhere states ... who knows, probably allow the purchase of pot every where.

People who are currently growing it will continue to. People who have a stash of seeds but have never tried to grow it for fear will give it a try. People who do not have a green thumb will look to buy. Sellers will carefully groom their product so that customers don't get any seeds. The market will be like wine - everything from your Thunderbird equivalent to your imported French equivalent (priced accordingly) complete with pedigrees (you will definitely be sniffing the stash like you sniff the cork.

You may also be able to buy commercial special brownies, so to speak.

[Solon]

21. Much of what you say is true...

Call this brainstorming on the full results of legalization, maybe years after the fact. Call it the normalization of the drug, where its treated pretty much exactly the same as either tobacco or alcohol, and I don't doubt that it will vary by state. I use mine as an example, because I have the most experience here, licensing to sell alcohol or tobacco, and keeping up with age enforcement are pretty much the only things needed to sell either here, otherwise its not restricted, on the retailer level. I'm assuming, if they are sane, they will treat cannabis the same way in Missouri, if its legalized on the federal level.

[BalancedGoat]

22. My fear.

It would be taken over by corporations. You can bet that they'd lobby to keep it illegal for your average Joe to just grow it on his own. Good like trying to make it so they have to list the ingredients in the blends that they sell. Blending it with tobacco that contain high levels of nicotine? Who knows what the effect of corporate control would be.

[Jamastiene]

23. I still say we can use the Endangered Species Act to save it...

in the wild at least. :smoke:

And yes, to be honest, I'd buy it by the carton in the store, if I had the option. I think a lot of people would.

[Helsetemp]

24. T

T

[crikkett]

26. but alcohol sales will be hurt, I think.

[comtec]

27. The Dutch model is NOT a panacea!

Having lived here for 4 years, and visiting for nearly 10, I can tell you the Dutch model is NOT the panacea everyone seems to want to think it is.

First off, the pot here is (imho) crap compared to the stuff in the US ;)
I don't smoke, but my sister did, so I know at least what it's supposed to smell like.

Second it's more usual to cut it with tobacco (HEAVY smoking here), which really reduces any enjoyment I have with smelling it LOL.

Third you are only allowed so much, it's NOT SOLD DOWN AT THE AVERAGE STORE WITH THE CIGARETTES!!!!!!
"Coffee shops" are dingy, ugly places. yes better than a dealer, but still.. ick!

imho, it should be regulated. I'm personally waiting for when I can get a permit to grow the INDUSTRIAL stuff, and do some good with this weed - like oil, paper, and clothing goods.

I think the problem is soo many stoners come out in favor of legalizing pot, that it hurts the real reasons it should be legalized, not for abuse, but for the 101 other valid uses cannabis has.

I think the bill being floated in the house(?) simply decriminalizing ownership/purchasing of pot is a good first step towards eventual legalizing, permitting, and taxation of it. It is still a drug, and any drug MUST be properly regulated.

FYI I'm also VERY in favor of cigarettes and tobacco in general being HEAVILY REGULATED FOR CONTENT!

It's a little dream I have. =]

[Broadslidin]

28. Obviously, far safer than the government sanctioned drugs: nicotine & violence prone alcohol.

:nuke: :hide: :nuke:

[Oldenuff]

29. How much a pack do ya 'spose?

These politicians need to get off the backs of MMJ patients.Not only that,they need to start telling the truth about cannabis instead of showing their ignornace by stating bullsh*t,like cannabis is a dangerous drug.

Mostly tho,they need to get a grip on reality...If mature citizens want to enjoy a little cannabis,or grow a plant in their house,what the heck right does some political buffoon have to say they can't?I tell you,the more I hear politicians spout some ignorant bs about cannabis being dangerous,the more I fear that America doesn't have a chance in hell of surviving.

Imagine some politician telling us what we can and cannot do as adults...Sonsabith**es.

WU...you are an ignorant sob.

[klyon]

30. I have long wondered why the tobacco companies didn't get on

the legalize bandwagon, especially with cigarette sales dropping. Few people would grow their own if there was a wide variety of packaged product available at the 7-11. I once heard that a tax on pot would have paid the national debt, I am not sure that is true since Bush and company have sent it threw the roof but it would help. We would also have room in the prisons for all those Republican criminals if we stopped putting potheads in jail.