Weed fuels the regional economy

[Payaso]

Not only does weed rule the regional economy, many locals feel threatened by the proposed legalization. Prices for pounds of cannabis are already down from a 'high' of $5,000 apiece just a few years ago to $2000 today. This has hit the locals hard, especially as the prices for every other basic commodity has soared tremendously of late.

Along Mendocino County's Redwood Highway, just beyond the sign depicting a hovering alien spaceship, veteran marijuana cultivator Tim Blake sees the future.

He views his Area 101 spiritual retreat as the answer to the looming upheaval for a renowned California pot-growing region challenged by a November state ballot initiative to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use and new growing techniques.

Blake hopes his roadside haven, where local marijuana tenders gather to share smokes and tales of the harvest, will emerge as a nostalgic tourist draw – a destination honoring Mendocino's proud pot traditions.

California produces one-third of America's pot, with an estimated $13.8 billion cash crop, counting legal medicinal grows and vast illicit production. In this county of 90,000 people, it is an uncomfortable topic. Most civic leaders would rather talk about the enchanting Mendocino Coast, the picturesque mountains and the charming towns.

But weed fuels the regional economy.

"There are people who don't want to talk about it because that may seem as if they're endorsing it," said Bert Mosier, chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce in the county seat of Ukiah. "But this affects our community."

It isn't just the November initiative that has upset the area's pot culture and stirred calls for new approaches.

Blake and others say the local market is already in free fall. Across California, legal medical marijuana dispensaries and indoor hydroponics warehouses that grow high-potency pot are undercutting Mendocino's outdoor crop.

For years, most Mendocino cultivators have grown their "Northern Lights" and "Super Skunk" strains beneath the stars and coastal redwoods. Increasingly, their weed can't compete with the high-octane "Purple Urkles" and "OG Kushes" that flower under glowing indoor lamps.

Pot from Mendocino County fetched more than $5,000 a pound just a decade ago. Now it goes for closer to $2,000, Blake says.

"Most people up here are growing," he said. "And for every grower, you support the gas station, the dry cleaners, the health food store. But everybody's numbers are down. Nobody has any money."

On Saturday, scores of Mendocino marijuana growers and local officials met in Ukiah to ponder the impact on the county if California voters decide to legalize marijuana beyond current medical use. They brainstormed remedies to economic fallout, including promoting pot tourism and branding local medicinal products to bring recognition to Mendocino's crop and its tenders.

Anna Hamilton, a Mendocino musician who hosts a radio talk show in neighboring Humboldt County, warned that the "legalization of marijuana will be the single most devastating event" to hit the region.

But Matthew Cohen, a Mendocino grower whose Northstone Organics delivers pot to medical marijuana patients in Northern California, saw an economic opportunity. "Mendocino can have a hand-picked, boutique market," he said.

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[Walt Jabsco]

Anna Hamilton, a Mendocino musician who hosts a radio talk show in neighboring Humboldt County, warned that the "legalization of marijuana will be the single most devastating event" to hit the region.
are you kidding me?

 

[johnnyla]

Hey Walt, have you ever been up to Mendocino? 80% of the economy is based on cannabis.

 

[Walt Jabsco]

yes as a matter of fact i have been to mendo. got a nice mendo mulcher at a headshop there. that was at least 15 years ago when 80% of the people werent there. things were a lot better there then when all these people had yet to cash in on the 5 grand pounds. at least that is what my old friends say that still stay in those parts. the point being if you are a marijuana user and you dont support full legalization then you are being selfish. go get a real job again. you had your fun.

 

[johnnybhang]

Economics aside money has nothing to do with cannabis, and cannabis has nothing to do with money, think about that for a second.

 

[MeanBean]

grow mushrooms

 

[Growbrass]

Economics aside money has nothing to do with cannabis, and cannabis has nothing to do with money, think about that for a second.

But money runs the world, thus money is involved in everything including cannabis. Like it or not weed can get you money, and money can get you weed.

You don't see many people trading other products for weed... you see people either growing their own, or buying it.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

I have a feeling that MJ use will go down thru legalization. It will no longer be that thing that free thinkers that scoff authority gather to celebrate.

People 'smoking' cannabis will go down, through legalization. The number of people using it in cannacaps/tinctures/cremes/oils/etc../etc../etc.. will skyrocket.

The pharmacies and chemical companies still stand to lose the most. The smart growers in California started planning for change a couple years ago.

You're correct.... the only thing that never changes.... is the constant change around us.

Stay Safe!

 

[3dDream]

All good things...

 

[+Vibes]

~~~$$$~~~$$$~~~
green eyes, and minds...
not the plant

 

[SickBoyZap]

(Taken from my post on another thread)

I fully understand both sides of this. Well name calling is not called for, I feel the frustration that people are experiencing. This isn't just a product- IT'S A WAY OF LIFE- A 'CULTURE'!

I wouldn't put 'financial gain' over people's freedom either. But it doesn't have to be one or the other!

If anyone with half a brain applied themselves right now THEY CAN DO ANYTHING UNDER OUR CURRENT LAWS! I know many "bushy old growers" who have dedicated a great deal of their life to perfecting their art. And, like it or not, The powerful Tobacco industry is putting A HELL OF A LOT OF 'MONEY' OVER MANY GROWERS 'FREEDOM' TO MAKE A LIVING!

As Johnny Lydon (PIL) said: "big business is very wise". We need to be aware of who we are getting in bed with! If your fine with the Walmart model of cheap crap, pushing out Craftsmen and Artisans, than fine.

Right now Californians consume between $870 million and $ 2 billion worth of medical marijuana per year! That's where Phillip Morris & Big Tobacco's love comes from!

IT IS AN AMAZING HOMEGROWN INDUSTRY THAT HAS BEEN BUILT BY HARDWORKING GROWERS IN SHEDS, CLOSETS AND BASEMENTS EVERYWHERE! PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDURED RIDICULE, ISOLATION, 3AM RESERVOIR CHANGES AND MIDNIGHT TRASH DUMPS!

WE BUILT IT!

Again, that's where Phillip Morris' love comes from!

Where are the Moonshiners of the 20's and 30's who claimed their product was too 'refined and superior' to be massed produced? WHERE ARE THEY?! They could never have imagined how lucky we are right now! By not being completely legal- the prices remain high enough to provide a living. By applying and using the laws that exist- NOBODY HAS TO GO TO JAIL!!!

Corporate America can't believe that the small grower has the nerve, THE AUDACITY!, to have that $2 Billion going through the common man's hand!

Indeed 'this is NOT a love song'!

 

[Photorikki]

PIL Rules!

 

[TripleAOnly]

legalization on the west coast will kill green.

a lot of people throughout the country are getting on the "legal buds" aspect because they can see the impending financial doom of green... and yes money has a lot to do with green. if you want that designer quality you gotta prepay for it

 

[OrganicMonkey]

I think there is just more product that is from less experienced growers, people that don't have the flair. In an illegal market, quality doesn't matter as much. I can still see five grand in a pound, if it was a very nice specimen. It would have to be a real porn star picture that rarely shows up in bud porn. Something that special, something other than this is 'cali weed'. It's as bad as calling something 'dro'.

 

[silentmajority]

The only way i see of earning a living at 2000# would be if you could grow as much as you wanted/needed
people think that 4-5k is too much but in some cases you are talking about 6 months work
5k for 6 months work isnt much at all

 

[EatMoGrass]

Many people buy wine that costs $100 a bottle or more when they could pay $9 a bottle. I believe legalization will drop the prices of commercial weed. I think top notch organic buds will still hold their value. Growers may have to work a little harder and smarter to stay afloat.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

(

IT IS AN AMAZING HOMEGROWN INDUSTRY THAT HAS BEEN BUILT BY HARDWORKING GROWERS IN SHEDS, CLOSETS AND BASEMENTS EVERYWHERE! PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENDURED RIDICULE, ISOLATION, 3AM RESERVOIR CHANGES AND MIDNIGHT TRASH DUMPS!

WE BUILT IT!

'!

I hear that...keep it in the hands of the people not big pharma.

i think a fair market price for weed is 40 an 8th. or a gram for ten dollars. really, after all the BS, all the bills, stress, trimming, investment, 10 a gram is a reasonable fucking price. just like 10 dollars a 12 pack for alcohol.

big pharma moves in, drops the price to 20 an 8th, and you kill the initiative for people to even fucking grow in the first place. i would grow for personal consumption, but at 5 dollars a gram im not selling shit id rather keep it.

the only good aspect of legalization is freeing all the people in jail for BS possession charges.

 

[OrganicMonkey]

The only way i see of earning a living at 2000# would be if you could grow as much as you wanted/needed
people think that 4-5k is too much but in some cases you are talking about 6 months work
5k for 6 months work isnt much at all

It's why clone only's take up so much power, but then they fall into the hands of less than expert growers. To grow the most it's going to be hydro, the least turn around time and max yield. It's hard to want to do that with variety, but a 1000 watts per strain isn't to shabby. I can see getting more from selling a high quality variety than one strain with far to much weight.

The platinum purps thread looks great, claims Cali grown and easily worth more than a majority of what is floating around. There will always be a market for commercial 'filler'. Nothing wrong with the classics, but not all herb is equal.

It's hard to find a killer unique pheno without some serious work, I don't live amongst clones so it takes some testing. Preferably breeding to suit my needs, I find quality traits among different strains yet not quite perfected.

 

[jonnybgod]

EASY MONEY NEVER LASTS FOREVER

EASY MONEY NEVER LASTS FOREVER

I don't feel bad for the people that made pot so fucking expensive you need a second full time job just to get high after your first full time job. Maybe you guys will know what it's like to actually work for your money now. Just look at it this way, your freakin house is paid for (if not, more than one), and probably a few cars and who knows what jewelry and goodies (boats and planes etc.) You had it too good for a long time, GIGS UP!!! Sorry if the truth hurts, I know, what an asshole I am for sayin it the way it is.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

I don't feel bad for the people that made pot so fucking expensive you need a second full time job just to get high after your first full time job. Maybe you guys will know what it's like to actually work for your money now. Just look at it this way, your freakin house is paid for (if not, more than one), and probably a few cars and who knows what jewelry and goodies (boats and planes etc.) You had it too good for a long time, GIGS UP!!! Sorry if the truth hurts, I know, what an asshole I am for sayin it the way it is.

yea there some folks balling like that but most are trying to get bye. i know a shitload of growers and none of them have two houses and fancy jewelry, let alone planes. yea maybe some got some nice TVs but thats the tradeoff for the risk and work they put in. shit i kn ow a guy who does 100s of outdoor but instead of driving luxury cars he rides in 10 year old buckets...keep it low key...people who ball out and act fancy get wrapped by the IRS.

if your complaining about the price why not set your own grow up? i refuse to pay BS prices for high grade thats why i run personally closets just for my consumption.

have you ever grown. once you deal with fungas gnats, PM, nutrient deficiency, paranoia, cost of production, and then finally once you have actualy grown buds trimming and proper curing, you will realize why bud costs what it does....