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Who wants to speculate what commercial growing will look like in 2013/'14?
- Thread starter MPL
- Start date
MPL
Member
The states of Washington and Colorado have legalized cannabis for recreational use within their borders. Ignoring the obvious conflict with federal law, both states are moving forward with plans to implement regulations governing a commercial, fully recreational market for cannabis. I think it's a great opportunity for these states to support local business, and in particular, small to medium sized businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.
Specifically, I thought it would be fun to speculate what Colorado might decide to do regarding the regulatory framework they intend to create to support the recreational cannabis market. We'll have a good idea of what the governor intends in late Feb., as that is when his panel will make recommendations to him as to what kind of laws should be enacted to allow the state to move forward. Hopefully by 2014 we will see full implementation of retail sales of cannabis for recreational use, as well as the agricultural infrastructure to supply the market.
I'm also interested in industrial hemp, but that's for another discussion.
Specifically, I thought it would be fun to speculate what Colorado might decide to do regarding the regulatory framework they intend to create to support the recreational cannabis market. We'll have a good idea of what the governor intends in late Feb., as that is when his panel will make recommendations to him as to what kind of laws should be enacted to allow the state to move forward. Hopefully by 2014 we will see full implementation of retail sales of cannabis for recreational use, as well as the agricultural infrastructure to supply the market.
I'm also interested in industrial hemp, but that's for another discussion.
I guess what I see happening is legalization with a bunch of rules..yeah taxes and regulations. It will all still be illegal for personal grows..no way around that. The gov will want their cut. Most of us will still be felons for cultivation, but I won't stop doing my thing. It's a sad deal really, but I want to know what I'm smoking. I want to make my own choices.
MPL
Member
Well, currently in the interim period, while the state gets the rules together, you are allowed 6 plants, up to 3 flowering. Not great, but grown in the right fashion that should be more than sufficient for two or three people to make it between harvests.
I've just been assuming that this would be retained when they institute retail sales of cannabis. I certainly hope so. If you prefer to grow your own, you should be able to do so without being labeled a felon.
I wouldn't worry about it. I am confident they'll continue allow people to grow enough for personal use.
I've just been assuming that this would be retained when they institute retail sales of cannabis. I certainly hope so. If you prefer to grow your own, you should be able to do so without being labeled a felon.
I wouldn't worry about it. I am confident they'll continue allow people to grow enough for personal use.
i suspect that i'm seeing a trend; a glimmering.
there will be more states that don't aggressively pursue growers. there will be some counties in these states that want the canna revenue $'s. there will be the more aggressive growers that will test the waters. there will be more open distribution places available to the general public. the federal gubmint won't intervene.
^this is my speculation based on my suspected glimmering. i believe this trend is actualizing now.
if this glimmering is actualizing then the market will be quickly flooded with much less expensive od bud. i believe that this is actualizing now.
this faint obscure view is that we are going into a much more mj friendly environment. the tells (if my glimmering is an actuality ) are indicating that fanatical prosecution of canna mfg. ( the only drug that is actually good for you) is waning.
there will be more states that don't aggressively pursue growers. there will be some counties in these states that want the canna revenue $'s. there will be the more aggressive growers that will test the waters. there will be more open distribution places available to the general public. the federal gubmint won't intervene.
^this is my speculation based on my suspected glimmering. i believe this trend is actualizing now.
if this glimmering is actualizing then the market will be quickly flooded with much less expensive od bud. i believe that this is actualizing now.
A64 = more half ass crappy pot on the streets. Only the current dispensaries will get A64 licenses, and they won't be limited by patient plant count anymore. They will just buy a 1000 plant (or whatever) licenses and rock that out. This is HB1284 all over again. 2013 needs to be the year that all the quality producers say fuck it and go balls to the wall big, indoor or outdoor. Because 2014 will only be the year of regulation...
MPL
Member
I can see a lot more mid grade and lower being available. I also think you'll see more high quality as well.
That's pretty pessimistic to think only current dispensaries will be able to get recreational licenses. Are you basing this on something you've heard?
That's pretty pessimistic to think only current dispensaries will be able to get recreational licenses. Are you basing this on something you've heard?
monsoon
Active member
If you've been smoking/buying for longer than a few years you would know that the lyric "I get high with a little help from my friends" captures it all. No stores were needed. Folks found pot without them, and this was when every morsel was completely illegal and there were no grows/it was all imported (70's).
Today there is more weed in the USA than ever yet it seems as if it has to be laid at people's feet. Fuckers are clueless how to find weed unless there's a store? Gimma a break.
as far as who gets first nod for a license, this is taken from the LAW (A64)
(II) A SCHEDULE OF APPLICATION, LICENSING AND RENEWAL FEES, PROVIDED, APPLICATION FEES SHALL NOT EXCEED FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, WITH THIS UPPER LIMIT ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION, UNLESS THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES A GREATER FEE IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THIS SECTION, AND PROVIDED FURTHER, AN ENTITY THAT IS LICENSED UNDER THE COLORADO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CODE TO CULTIVATE OR SELL MARIJUANA OR TO MANUFACTURE MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AT THE TIME THIS SECTION TAKES EFFECT AND THAT CHOOSES TO APPLY FOR A SEPARATE MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY AN APPLICATION FEE GREATER THAN FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE TO OPERATE A MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION;
(b) IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE MOST SECURE, RELIABLE, AND ACCOUNTABLE SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION, IN ANY COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE AS A PRIMARY CONSIDERATION WHETHER AN APPLICANT:
(I) HAS PRIOR EXPERIENCE PRODUCING OR DISTRIBUTING MARIJUANA OR MARIJUANA PRODUCTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 14 OF THIS ARTICLE AND THE COLORADO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CODE IN THE LOCALITY IN WHICH THE APPLICANT SEEKS TO OPERATE A MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT; AND
(II) HAS, DURING THE EXPERIENCE DESCRIBED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I), COMPLIED CONSISTENTLY WITH SECTION 14 OF THIS ARTICLE, THE PROVISIONS OF THE COLORADO MEDICAL MARIJUANA CODE AND CONFORMING REGULATIONS.
Licenses will be limited. The state has already said they will more than likely start/limit it to the MMJ folks and communities that have not BANNED MMJ. If there's a county/town ban on MMJ...Recreational will obviously not be allowed there as well and the State will not issue a license for that area.
Things are in flux and nothing is set in stone but it goes without saying that this isn't gonna be open to >just anyone< who knows how to grow.
And the bottom line is that the FEDS will SHUT THIS DOWN before it ever gets started. It just isn't gonna happen.
What has happened though, is that the FED has stated that they can in no way monitor what we do in oour homes. In essence, they have given the nod to all other states to let their citizens GROW THEIR OWN.
But this parade of retail, this "See Me, I smoke pot..aren't I cool?" kinda stuff isn't the intent...and isn't gonna be tolerated. Hopefully.
MPL
Member
I didn't smoke in the 70s but I did through the 90s up to now. I'm just as familiar with the "I get high with a little help from my friends" idea as I am "I go to jail with a little help of my friends". That's what I meant by not taking care of it themselves. If you are going to jail for what you're doing it is by no means being taken care of. Now if you were just speaking of acquisition, then for sure I get your point.
I somehow missed that part of the law regarding the license fees. Thanks for pointing that out!
While that says first dibs go to those with experience, it doesn't specify anything about the quantity of licenses except that it might be competitive. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if experience somewhere else, say California, would count towards that. Remember, this isn't medical anymore. Full legalization means full protection of business via the law, and that means a lot more freedom to start such a business. A64 regulations have to work within the business laws of CO as they exist now.
My wife is an attorney and says full legalization will make it a lot harder for any state to long-term artificially or arbitrarily limit the number of qualified people who are able to open a commercial cannabis business, especially and particularly if the Feds decide to back off the states. In my personal opinion, license limitations go against the spirit of A64 and our business ideals in general anyway. Right now it seems like it's the conflict of federal and state law that is most likely going to allow such limits to exist.
I have seen several counties and quite a few towns/cities that have already chosen not to allow commercial cannabis except for the personal amounts A64 requires. That sucks but I am down with self-governance so to each his own.
The WA governor spoke with Eric Holder recently (click me for story), and from their discussion it looks like if the states can keep their pot within their borders, the Feds are going to allow an exemption. There are several outs without losing face for the Feds in this case, and I disagree with you in that I think the Feds won't be mashing their bootheel into A64. I don't think they have the political capital, the will or the manpower. It would most likely force another SCOTUS case on the commerce clause and right now, with guns and the ACA and states' rights in the spotlight, I don't think the Feds are confident they'll get a win. If you had asked me 2 months ago my opinion would have been exactly as yours - the Feds will stomp A64 into the ground. Today, I just don't think that's going to happen.
I totally agree on the "see me I smoke" statement.
Good conversation.
I somehow missed that part of the law regarding the license fees. Thanks for pointing that out!
While that says first dibs go to those with experience, it doesn't specify anything about the quantity of licenses except that it might be competitive. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if experience somewhere else, say California, would count towards that. Remember, this isn't medical anymore. Full legalization means full protection of business via the law, and that means a lot more freedom to start such a business. A64 regulations have to work within the business laws of CO as they exist now.
My wife is an attorney and says full legalization will make it a lot harder for any state to long-term artificially or arbitrarily limit the number of qualified people who are able to open a commercial cannabis business, especially and particularly if the Feds decide to back off the states. In my personal opinion, license limitations go against the spirit of A64 and our business ideals in general anyway. Right now it seems like it's the conflict of federal and state law that is most likely going to allow such limits to exist.
I have seen several counties and quite a few towns/cities that have already chosen not to allow commercial cannabis except for the personal amounts A64 requires. That sucks but I am down with self-governance so to each his own.
The WA governor spoke with Eric Holder recently (click me for story), and from their discussion it looks like if the states can keep their pot within their borders, the Feds are going to allow an exemption. There are several outs without losing face for the Feds in this case, and I disagree with you in that I think the Feds won't be mashing their bootheel into A64. I don't think they have the political capital, the will or the manpower. It would most likely force another SCOTUS case on the commerce clause and right now, with guns and the ACA and states' rights in the spotlight, I don't think the Feds are confident they'll get a win. If you had asked me 2 months ago my opinion would have been exactly as yours - the Feds will stomp A64 into the ground. Today, I just don't think that's going to happen.
I totally agree on the "see me I smoke" statement.
Good conversation.
Who wants to speculate what commercial growing will look like in 2013/'14?
I think you are just slightly being over optimistic. I suppose its a case of being optimistic and later on being disappointed, or being pessimistic and possibly being surprised. Lets see what happens, but like any other industry in America, the trend for regulation and government will favor big business and shut out the small guy.
I think you are just slightly being over optimistic. I suppose its a case of being optimistic and later on being disappointed, or being pessimistic and possibly being surprised. Lets see what happens, but like any other industry in America, the trend for regulation and government will favor big business and shut out the small guy.
MPL
Member
I like that. I like it a lot. I'd like to build something like that adapted for weed. I would also like to keep the big corporations out of it. The only way I can think of to do that is to keep weed a little bit illegal.
S
SooperSmurph
The number of new retail licenses will almost have to be based on the number of medical dispensaries which choose to convert over to retail, since they're given priority in the case of limitations, so I expect the dispensaries start getting questions from the municipalities or the mmed soon.
G
greenmatter
The glass is half-full dammit!
yes it is! i've been waiting almost 50 years for this to happen
i am absolutely sure the politicians,cops,department of revenue, and every city council in colorado will create a clusterfuck of regulations that will be jaw dropping. BUT WE STILL HAVE IT GOOD!!!
and the domino effect will happen! the drug warrior's house of cards is going to crash around them no matter how much high octane bullshit they use for mortar at this point.
we fuckin' won !!!!
MPL
Member
I agree and I'll deal with the crazy regulation all day long if they'll just make enough retail licenses available for me to buy one.
yes it is! i've been waiting almost 50 years for this to happen
i am absolutely sure the politicians,cops,department of revenue, and every city council in colorado will create a clusterfuck of regulations that will be jaw dropping. BUT WE STILL HAVE IT GOOD!!!
and the domino effect will happen! the drug warrior's house of cards is going to crash around them no matter how much high octane bullshit they use for mortar at this point.
monsoon
Active member
The first peek at 28 regulatory points concerning the retail sales of marijuana in Colorado is reportedly going to be revealed today. These will be changed many times but it should offer everyone a look/idea what the State is thinking in this are and who will be allowed to play.
