California sprouts marijuana 'green rush'

[bemildred]

Source: AP

A conservatively dressed courier drives a company-leased Smart Car to an apartment on a weekday afternoon. Erick Alvaro hands over a white paper bag to his 58-year-old customer, who inspects the bag to ensure that everything he ordered over the phone is there.

An eighth-ounce of organic marijuana buds for treating his seasonal allergies? Check. An eighth of a different pot strain for insomnia? Check. THC-infused lozenges and tea bags? Check and check, with a free herb-laced cookie thrown in as a thank-you gift.

It's a $102 credit card transaction carried out with the practiced efficiency of a home-delivered pizza — and with just about as much legal scrutiny.

---

Based on the quantity of marijuana authorities seized last year, the crop was worth an estimated $17 billion or more, dwarfing any other sector of the state's agricultural economy.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i9mvOh0YI12grcTJ_FzIuo6yEc_QD99H9KJG2

---

The more of less complete impotence of the federal government to enforce it's will on the states or the public here is worth noting.

[90-percent]

1. seen this on DU before

with some local news clips.

Looks like the 2009 American Gold Rush consists of moving to cali and buying a home in the marijuana friendly communities and then turn the house in to a marijuana farm.

One of the few areas of significant economic opportunity left for us averagers. And you don't have to genuflect to an asshole boss for 20 years to start making decent money, either!

With my cynicism, I'd sell it all, give up my east coast roots, move 3,000 miles west, set up shop and then have pot go legal a few weeks after I made the move!

-90% jimmy

[bemildred]

2. Just keep it under 100 plants.

But I expect the market will be flooded soon, no time to waste.

[hedgehog]

3. but, but but I heard this morning on NPR all about how the feds

are using drone aircraft at the Canadian border top protect us against the import of "Lethal" BC bud.


Yes, the spokesman used the word "lethal".

[bread_and_roses]

4. National Propaganda Radio at it again, eh? n/t

[hedgehog]

10. Hey, they just let the guy talk. I think most people listening were able

to make the same conclusions I did.

[bread_and_roses]

14. Did the reporter question the use of the word "lethal?"

Look, I didn't hear the story - I just read the OP. I'm going by my near daily experience of long segments of both "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" while I'm driving.

I can cite too numerous to count examples of NPR being not much if any better than FOX at anything resembling reporting - they just use a more civilized format. Not to mention that it seems that the portion of the "news" shows devoted to pure fluff increases exponentially by the day.

As just one blaring example, check out the NPR Omnsbudsperson's tortured defense of NPR's policy on use the word "torture."

[Twinguard]

7. They heard "killer bud"

and automatically assumed that meant it was lethal.

dumbasses

[Politicalboi]

21. LMAO!

"Lethal" Idiots don't even know there is NO such thing. Where do they find these people.

[crikkett]

24. What a canard. You can't injest a lethal dose of marijuana. n/t

[bitchkitty]

25. That's so funny! Lethal beastie bud! LOL n/t

[givemebackmycountry]

5. OMG! I really LOVE that idea.

I have allergies!
Check.

I have insomnia from time to time!
Check.

I like cookies too!
Check.

I have a credit card and can easily handle $102.00!
Check.

I'm all out of herb, do they ship Federal Express to Florida?

What a hand-job country we are.

[onethatcares]

22. rhonda storms would be all over you for that

florida used to be one of the import capitals of the U. S. of A. but now it's just a sad shell of itself.

You're reply to the O.P. cracked me up.:hi:

[Zhade]

27. Uh, what? Are you mocking this medically-proven beneficial herb?

NT!

[winyanstaz]

6. The bottom line for many is...

there will be jobs.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. Buy stock in convenience stores now!

:think:

[National Steel 27]

9. Someone told me that reefer is a gateway drug to...

sweatpants, flip-flops and re-runs of the Andy Griffith Show.

[Trajan]

18. OK ... That was pretty funny ....

in my book ...

[National Steel 27]

23. Thanks

Actually, I just made it up.

I think the "convenience store" post was sheer genius, though.

[Deja Q]

11. More like "Weed Rush", since "Green" can also refer to money, broccoli, solar panels, snot...

:yoiks:

[kestrel91316]

12. There are at least 3 marijuana dispensaries within a mile of my office, lol.

One just opened up literally nextdoor about a month ago. I havve not noticed any "undesirables" hanging out, and my assistant has noticed that most the cars that pull in there have REALLY normal, straight types getting out of them.

I think LA is full of middle class and retiree potheads, lol.

[Odin2005]

13. California is doing SOMETHING right for once!

:woohoo:

[David__77]

15. Good price.

I mean with delivery service and the extra things other than the eighths lol

[Betsy Ross]

16. When we legalize it and tax it,

I look for the price to drop at dispensaries. It runs about twice the street price now. But there is the advantage of knowing what type you are getting. Particularly when taken for medicinal purposes, the difference between sativa and indica is very important. It is much harder to score sativa as indica seems more popular. Our city has gone after our only dispensary for stating "miscellaneous sales" on their business license application. The city council voted to shut the place down, but it is on an appeal. Fortunately, the appeal goes to the county court which happens to be in Oaksterdam. The county is quite liberal about medical marijuana.

[bemildred]

17. It ought to cost about as much as a good head of lettuce, plus tax of course.

I too expect the price to fall dramatically, it's too easy to grow your own, you can only charge so much for convenience. There is already a lot more marketing blather about it, a sign of competition, and it is common these days to just market the buds, the "shake" just gets throw away or scavenged by the less well-to-do.

It should also lessen drug crime, grows in the national forests, international smuggling, etc., as the financial incentive will be much reduced.

[truthisfreedom]

19. Take a look at how DU AdBot is handling this story to see how society is changing before our eyes.

[Wednesdays]

20. K&R

:kick:

[Zhade]

26. 100 bucks for all that???

WHERE? My clinic is way more expensive.