Oregon recently conducted "decoy" operations on some pot shops to verify compliance with the over-21 sales law, with really bad results. State-wide the compliance rate was around 80%, but in Portland it was only 47%. Recent results of the same test in Washington were around 97%. Oregon's results can be regarded as a complete breakdown, by everyone involved. A well-run cannabis store has 2 or 3 ID checks built into every transaction: a security...
I;m back in Yuma for several days. A group of people I know pulled in behind me, so that'll be something to do. Very warm here.
When CO, WA, and OR passed their initiatives to legalize marijuana use, possession, growing, and sales, there weren't any mentions of the powers granted to local jurisdictions. Very quickly some locales passed bans or moratoriums on the facilities, and some ignored the issue. The states have been trying to align this unanticipated behavior ever since. WA lawmakers take the approach that their state laws override the locals, which is kinda ironic...
The tent show opens tomorrow, and the place is busy. It's never "full" as there is a near-infinite amount of desert out here, but the roads get clogged. And the truckers get grumpy at their fuel-stop exit. Luckily, in about 8 days a large number of folks pack up and go. Steve and Sandy are parked here, and I hear others will be coming. The weather is changing, with Saturday being good kite-flying. And then a bit cooler for a while.
This afternoon I watched a legislative committee in Olympia take comments from the public on cannabis bills. The topic was home-grown cannabis plants, completely illegal in WA right now. Despite that it should sail right through the lawmaking process, it was an opportunity for those against to speak up. My observations have been that the committee is strongly cannabis-friendly, and readily accepts alternative views. But, they have no interest in...
Like I did last year, I'll be watching what the legislature does with cannabis. They did quite poorly last year in doing anything, though some could see it as an advantage. At any rate, here they go again. Washington does not allow any personal, or home, production of the cannabis plant, making it unique amongst the legal states. There is a bill, and I'm sure there will be far too much discussion over this simple thing, slowing down the work on...
Back to Q today. It rained yesterday afternoon, the first I've seen all season besides some stray raindrops a month or so ago. But the sun is out again and temperatures will be warming. Peak will occur in a few days, with heavy traffic and big crowds at the bazaars. I'll be here for the show, then likely Yuma again.
Vermont will become the ninth state to legalize cannabis. They will be unusual as they are the first state to pass legislation rather than succumb to the direct votes of citizens. They are also unusual in that they legalize possession of 1 ounce or less, and allow home growing, but not sales. They totally bypass the regulation and taxation thing, leaving it for the black market to handle distribution. That approach mimics Washington DC's which...
Banks, being federally regulated, are prohibited from dealing with businesses that deal with cannabis, right? Not quite. Guidelines (not rules or laws) for banks permit banking cannabis customers provided they exercise rather draconian supervision over their customers. And some smaller community banks and credit unions have stepped up to the tasks involved to provide some basic services in the interest of public safety. Most of the industry in...
Everyone remotely associated with the cannabis industry is aware of the Cole Memo, and Federal Laws, which havene't changed a bit. Session's action has been expected from the beginning, so no one can say it's a surprise or an emergency. Besides a big jump on the caseload of the federal judiciary, very little will change. Many state legislatures are convening this week, and many have cannabis bills in process. I expect that some votes will change...
Quartzsite is picking up fast in terms of people. Interestingly, the number of vendors is down by half. Rice Ranch is completely vacant. All the blank space is weird this time of year. I'm in Yuma for a few days to pick up medicines, get an oil change, and go to a real grocery store. And grab a supply of fruit. Then back to Q for all the action.
It seems to have gone well in CA today. About 90 stores were open for business, which isn't bad at all. Many more will be opening over the next weeks or so. Prices are about 20-25% higher than WA, CO, and OR, and a tad higher than Nevada. This was expected, and prices will be dropping for the next several months as more producers and retailers come online. I was satisfied with the news coverage that was much more substantial than when CO and WA...