[JimmyToucan]

Originally Posted by Gypsy Nirvana

Who knows?..Maybe the federal government will start putting out 'Hemp for Victory' films again, just like they did in the 1940's, and growers can be subsidized and encouraged to grow the plant once again?

'That'll be the Day'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq9FCBatl3A

Sadly we're more likely to get Reefer Madness Part Two, sponsored by big pharma.

[shaggyballs]

Is Marijuana The New Cash Crop?
Bob Dillard noticed something important, I think, that also happened on November 8 concerning marijuana legalization:

"At what point do we begin recognizing the tremendous number of our fellow citizens who now can use a cash crop that is transforming the economies of Colorado, Oregon, Washington and now over 12 percent of the population in California, plus Massachusetts, Nevada, Maine as well as Florida, North Dakota. It's clearly a growth industry with a giant upside that will only continue to grow."

Bob, you make a great point. Recreational and medical marijuana measures passed in numerous and varied states. I do not think this is going to become a big money maker for ordinary farmers.

I may be one of the few of my generation who did no experiment with marijuana in the 60's and 70's or since, believe it or not. I'm relying on excellent information from Michael Pollan's book, The Botany of Desire.

His explanation of marijuana breeding and production soon dispels any dream a lucrative cash crop for ordinary row crop farmers. High quality marijuana production is almost entirely done in greenhouses with intensive lights, just like most profitable vegetables are grown under irrigation. There are growers producing outside, but the lower electricity costs are offset by higher security expenses.

The breeding is highly sophisticated and as scientific as corn hybrids.

Production is also labor intensive, and highly regulated - aspects most farmers dislike. But most of all, big companies including tobacco giants have been poised for legalization for years and will bring enormous financial and technical assets to dominate the market.

It only takes relatively few acres, unlike grains. While local marijuana will still be grown, like backyard gardens, the big market will be served by bigger players.

There is simply too much money to be made to be ignored by big business. States will likely encourage this industrialization to simplify regulation and maximize tax revenue. I support legalization, but don't expect it to save many family farms.

[seeded]

There's only big money in cannabis if prohibition is enforced. If you can't grow enough for yourself and the big boys can't flood the market in a race to the bottom there will be black market like prices for cannabis in the future. If however there is a race to the bottom and people grow however much they damn well please then you're going to see an ounce of distilled oil sold to the public for $100 or less when bought in bulk and flowers will essentially be worthless when a pound could be profitably sold for under $100 as well. You just know someone will try to corner the cheapest and good enough market and try to flood the competition out of business if allowed like that and while there will still be a market for higher quality products, genetics, etc. we're going to have to get used to much lower prices otherwise people will just go with good enough.

The limits the UN's convention on narcotics puts upon the legal cultivation of cannabis are really starting to make great business sense. Not only do they get a monopoly but without being allowed to stockpile they also get to control supply vs demand and therefor the price they can charge too. I swear legalization is the ultimate long con...

[JimmyToucan]

Originally Posted by shaggyballs

Is Marijuana The New Cash Crop?
Bob Dillard noticed something important, I think, that also happened on November 8 concerning marijuana legalization:

"At what point do we begin recognizing the tremendous number of our fellow citizens who now can use a cash crop that is transforming the economies of Colorado, Oregon, Washington and now over 12 percent of the population in California, plus Massachusetts, Nevada, Maine as well as Florida, North Dakota. It's clearly a growth industry with a giant upside that will only continue to grow."

Bob, you make a great point. Recreational and medical marijuana measures passed in numerous and varied states. I do not think this is going to become a big money maker for ordinary farmers..

There is simply too much money to be made to be ignored by big business. States will likely encourage this industrialization to simplify regulation and maximize tax revenue. I support legalization, but don't expect it to save many family farms.

Recreational and medicinal cannabis may not be a boon to the average farmer, but hemp sure as hell would. And even then...don't sell these people short; it wouldn't take but a 30'x100' hoophouse normally used for wintering hardy greens easily converted for a more profitable use, using the same techniques utilized in many other facets of their business.

Unfortunately, small farmers, regardless of what they grow are at a disadvantage which is a shame. Small businesses in general fae an uphill battle, especially those that supply us with our food.

[shaggyballs]

Originally Posted by Nog Onsigbare

If it is legalised that ability to own the means of production will be taken away.
Big business will take over and the backyard grower will not be able to compete.
Big business with their campaign donations and contacts with government will also be able to have backyard growers legislated out of the picture so they have a monopoly.

THIS WAS STATED IN 2012
Seems others have seen what the future holds.

[armedoldhippy]

Originally Posted by JimmyToucan

Recreational and medicinal cannabis may not be a boon to the average farmer, but hemp sure as hell would. And even then...don't sell these people short; it wouldn't take but a 30'x100' hoophouse normally used for wintering hardy greens easily converted for a more profitable use, using the same techniques utilized in many other facets of their business.

Unfortunately, small farmers, regardless of what they grow are at a disadvantage which is a shame. Small businesses in general fae an uphill battle, especially those that supply us with our food.

yup. for the average farmer, hemp will be at the forefront. as you say, though, a man could earn some extra $ with not a very large greenhouse. the black market will always exist. govt over-taxation/regulation guarantees it. you can buy any craft beer/single barrel whiskey etc you want in a govt approved store. that has not in the least hurt moonshiners that know what they are doing...

[shaggyballs]

Big Cannabis biz will continue to cage people meanwhile they monopolize the market.
This has been gaining momentum recently.
Systematically eliminate the competition.
The situation is just sad.

[PDX Dopesmoker]

Originally Posted by Kozmo

Freedom like tomatoes!

Don't give them the idea to charge me a licensing fee for my vegetable garden.

[hellfire]

It might just be time to try that whole overgrow the world seed bomb thing for real.

[Kankakee]

What was the reason people grew underground ?

Love of the plant ? Or for $$$$

Hypocrisy now that prices have crashed over 10 years and continue doing so ?