Inside Dope

[Tony]

http://www.forbes.com/maserati/146.html ...full article

In the quiet countryside just outside Vancouver, B.C. an ambitious young entrepreneur surveys a blindingly bright room filled with lovely plants--dozens of stalks of high-power marijuana. Almost ready for harvest, they hold threadlike, resin-frosted pot flowers, rust-and-white "buds" thickening in a base of green-and-purple leaves. The room reeks of citrus and menthol, a drug-rich musk lingering on fingertips and clothes.

"There's no way I won't make a million dollars," says the entrepreneur, David (one-name sources throughout this story are pseudonymous). He runs several other sites like this one, reaping upwards of $80,000 in a ten-week cycle. Says he: "Even if they bust me for one, I'm covered."

So, it seems, is much of Canada--covered with thousands of small, high-tech marijuana "grows," as the indoor farms are known. Small-time marijuana growing is already a big business in Canada. It is likely to get bigger, despite all the efforts of the antidrug crowd in Washington, D.C. On Oct. 14 the U.S. Supreme Court, by refusing to disturb an appeals court ruling, gave its stamp of approval to doctors who want to recommend weed to ease their patients' pain or nausea. In the U.S. nine states have enacted laws permitting marijuana use by people with cancer, AIDS and other wasting diseases. The Canadians are even more cannabis-tolerant; although they have not legalized the drug, they are loath to stomp out the growers. This illicit industry has emerged as Canada's most valuable agricultural product--bigger than wheat, cattle or timber.

I wish would be more like in this aspect.

 

[fishbob]

This illicit industry has emerged as Canada's most valuable agricultural product--bigger than wheat, cattle or timber.

If this crop were legal, it would not be as profitable.

The growers are happy that pot is illegal - they can charge more. The politicians are happy because keeping pot illegal makes them look like they are doing something useful. The potheads are happy because they are stupid potheads, even while they pay too much and risk going to jail. The Canadians are happy because America is sending all kinds of money north. The Drug Enforcement agents are happy because they have job security.

The only folks that are not happy are those 4 or 5 patients with a real need for medical marijuana. Small population, maybe half of them vote, probably dead soon anyway, so screw 'em.

 

[Cecil]

In the quiet countryside just outside Vancouver, B.C. an ambitious young entrepreneur surveys a blindingly bright room filled with lovely plants--dozens of stalks of high-power marijuana. Almost ready for harvest, they hold threadlike, resin-frosted pot flowers, rust-and-white "buds" thickening in a base of green-and-purple leaves. The room reeks of citrus and menthol, a drug-rich musk lingering on fingertips and clothes.

Mmm.....

*goes on a road trip*