An Oregon sheriff and district attorney on Tuesday blasted efforts to regulate legalized marijuana, saying the state is allowing black market operations to proliferate.
Tag Archives: Black Market
US Prosecutor: Oregon Has Big Marijuana Overproduction Problem
Oregon’s top federal prosecutor said Friday the state has a “formidable” problem with marijuana overproduction that winds up on the black market and that he wants to work with state and local leaders and the pot industry to do something about it.
Canadian Cannabis Consumers Spent Almost C$6 Billion on Product in 2017
Recreational cannabis legalization is on Canada’s horizon and as a means of understanding pre- and post-legalization markets, Statistics Canada has been analyzing historical data to get a sense of what the future of legal cannabis may hold for the country and if its most recent report is any indication, Canadian cannabis consumers are ready to open their wallets when it comes to cannabis.
El Paso County DA: Recreational Marijuana Causing Crime Increase in CO
El Paso County District Attorney Dan May talks about the impact of legalized recreational marijuana in the state of Colorado.
New Video Series Aims to Convince Black Market in Oregon to Go Legal
With U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions criticizing Oregon’s cannabis policies and an Oregon marijuana processor busted in Nebraska recently, the black market in Oregon has been giving the state some bad press; however, the OLCC is trying to change that with the launch of a new video series that aims to convince participants in the black market to go legal.
Marijuana Black Market Thrives in California
The sales of marijuana in California and the measures taken to try and combat it are being examined again.
Fitch: Cannabis Taxes Set to Rise With Votes in Seven California Cities
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 8, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Residents of seven California cities voted to impose local taxes on cannabis in Tuesday’s elections. With retail sales set to begin on January 1, the newly approved measures will add to the already substantial tax burden on legal cannabis, potentially undermining California’s fledgling legalization initiative, according to Fitch Ratings.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Canadian Marijuana Economy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced legislation to legalize recreational marijuana throughout the country, which plans to be in effect on Canada Day (July 1) 2018. Now, many experts have predictions for the Canadian marijuana economy as a result of the cannabis industry becoming legal.
California Could Tax Pot By as Much as 45 Percent
Buying legal marijuana in California could be pricey enough to keep the black market healthy. Between customers, retailers and growers, taxes on cannabis may reach as high as 45% in parts of the state, according to a Fitch Ratings report.
Making the Case for Cannabis as an Ethical Investment
The high-growth industry certainly offers terrific prospects that would be envied by many tech stocks. However, a big hurdle for some investors is investing in “sin stocks,” or what could be perceived as unethical industries and businesses.
DEA Report: 71% of Cannabis Plants Seized in 2016 Came from California
While California may grow eight times the amount of cannabis state residents can consume, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration is dimming the brilliance of the Golden State’s illegal cannabis plants.
Report: California Cannabis Taxes to Keep Black Market Cannabis Alive
As the Golden State readies for the rollout of recreational cannabis on Jan. 1, 2018, some are preparing for a windfall of revenue from California cannabis taxes and others are preparing to continue competing with the black market.
Fitch: Illicit Sales Will Limit California Cannabis Revenues
NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — California’s high cannabis taxes will encourage black market sales and limit potential local government revenues from this new market, Fitch Ratings says.
Ontario Mulls Selling Pot for Less Than Black-Market Price
Ontario will try to sell legal pot for a price low enough to squash the black market. The government plans to establish a price for recreational marijuana that isn’t too high in order to eliminate illicit sales.
This Is Why a Majority of Washington Recreational Cannabis Isn’t Diverted
Washington recreational cannabis sales and diversion rates took a dip when neighboring Oregon enacted recreational legalization.
Everything You Need to Know to Invest in Marijuana
Recreational cannabis is a $6 billion industry that is projected to reach $50 billion in legal annual sales by 2026. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking of investing in marijuana.
What Happens When There’s a California Cannabis Surplus
While the Golden State is preparing for the rollout of recreational legalization, it’s already having to address the issue of a California cannabis surplus.
The Truth About the Federal Marijuana Meeting With Officials in Colorado
On July 19, 2017, representatives from multiple federal agencies joined local officials in Colorado Springs to have a closed-door meeting on the effects of Colorado’s legal marijuana industry.
Price Hike in Nevada Marijuana Causing Some to Buy From the Streets
According to Emily Wilson, some medical patients across the valley can’t afford the price gouge on Nevada marijuana and are turning to the streets for cheaper prices.
Finance Minister to Talk Canadian Cannabis Taxes This Summer
Canada’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau is ready to talk Canadian cannabis taxes with the country’s provinces. On May 15, 2017, during a House of Commons meeting for the Standing Committee on Finance, Morneau addressed the Budget Measure Implementation Act and closed his opening remarks with a note on cannabis taxes.
6 Months Later, Massachusetts Cannabis Regulations Still Unclear
Lawmakers haven’t been able to tighten Massachusetts cannabis regulations in the ballot law after it passed 185 days ago.
Black Market Marijuana: Big Business of the Illegal Marijuana Industry
American Vice: Black Market Marijuana follows four outlaws who run successful businesses growing, selling, and distributing illegal marijuana.
Rhode Island Awards First Three Cultivator Licenses
On Jan. 4, 2017, Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation issued licenses to the state’s first three medical marijuana cultivators, all of which are based in Warwick.
Budding Regulation in One of California’s Marijuana Meccas
As more states move to legalize pot, Humboldt County, California, an epicenter of the underground marijuana industry, has begun a new, bold experiment to bring growers out of the shadows and regulate the growth, sale and environmental impact of cannabis.
Conversations in Cali: Sonoma County Bans Rural Cannabis Cultivation
On Dec. 13, 2016, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors rejected a proposal to permit small-scale cannabis cultivation in rural residential zones.
Why Marijuana Will Be a ‘Shadow’ Business For a Long Time
These federal hurdles for legal marijuana are being addressed by proposals in Congress.
Thousands of Illegal Cannabis Plants Seized from LP in Ontario
On Oct. 3, 2016, the Niagara Regional Police Service seized more than 4,000 illegal cannabis plants from one of Health Canada’s licensed producers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Colorado Marijuana Sales Surged to $122 Million in July
In the state of Colorado, retail marijuana sales have reached an all time high. According to The Denver Post, the legal marijuana industry brought in more than $122 million in revenue for the month of July, representing a 27 percent increase from the previous year.
Cannabis Market Torn Down in Copenhagen’s Christiania
On Sept. 2, 2016, residents of Christiania, a Danish free town in Copenhagen, started tearing down stalls selling cannabis on the town’s main street.
Panel Releases Findings on How Legalization May Impact Massachusetts
With millions of voters in Massachusetts poised to vote on a referendum to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, a citizen panel has just released its findings on legalization’s potential impacts.
The Hidden Poverty in Marijuana’s Black Market
Rural Trinity County is home to 13,500 people in Northern California and marijuana production is rampant there. Along with Humboldt and Mendocino counties, Trinity comprises California’s “Emerald Triangle,” a region known for its prolific marijuana farming.
Italian Lawmakers Debating Recreational Cannabis Legalization
On July 25, 2016, Italy’s Chamber of Deputies began debating a bill that would legalize recreational cannabis in the country.
Canadian Government Plans to Announce Marijuana Task Force
In the coming days, the Canadian government is expected to announce the formation of a marijuana task force.
Justin Trudeau May Have Made the Best Case for Legal Pot Ever
Speaking Wednesday at an economic conference, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made one of the more buttoned-down, straight-edged arguments for marijuana legalization I’ve heard in recent years.
How Much are People Making in Humboldt’s Black Market Cannabis Economy?
Many people who work in the emerald triangle’s underground economy think of it as just a job. However, for the majority of people outside the cannabis industry there is a lot of mystery.
Alaska Lawmaker Aims to Combat Illegal Grow Operations
In an effort to combat the proliferation of illegal marijuana cultivation, one Alaskan state lawmaker has a proposed a bill that would impose financial penalties on illegal grow operations.
Trudeau Gives Canadians Reasons for Recreational Legalization
During a press conference on Jan. 13, 2016, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed two main reasons why Canada is pursuing recreational marijuana legalization: to protect minors from accessing marijuana and to squelch the black market’s marijuana revenue.
Governor of Vermont Endorses Marijuana Legalization
On Jan. 7, 2016, during his final state of the state address, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin announced his support for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Shumlin criticized the war on drugs, calling it “outdated” and “failed,” and stressed the need to end black market marijuana sales.
Does American Legalization Challenge Mexican Cartels?
One of the ongoing rationalizations for the legalization of the drug trade in the United States has been to stop the associated crime that comes with prohibition. The drug trade across the Mexican border is one of the bloodiest on a regular basis.
Financial Implications of Combining Washington’s Medical and Recreational Markets
Almost 11 months into the legalization of marijuana, data is starting to roll in about Washington state’s progress with the new industry and now the laws that put the industry in play are starting to evolve.
Pricing and Retail Implications of Washington’s Marijuana Glut
When the first recreational marijuana stores opened in Washington in July 2014, there was a consistent problem with supply—there simply was not enough. Close to eight months later the tables have turned in a drastic way.
Should Oregon Combine Medical and Recreational?
One of the announced goals of Initiative 91, through which Oregonians voted to legalize recreational marijuana, is to prevent the revenue from the sale of marijuana from going to criminal enterprises, gangs and cartels.
How Oregon Should Tax Marijuana
Not you, not me, tax the man behind the tree. Unfortunately, discussions of tax policy sometimes never get beyond this point, but setting tax policy is like building infrastructure.
Legalization in Vermont and Northeast
Vermont could generate up to $75 million in annual tax revenue if it chooses to legalize recreational cannabis, according to a report published last week by the Rand Corporation.
Thursday Watch for Actual Warning Signs
Cannabis stocks started the day under selling pressure. However, the negative pressure eased a bit as broader markets lifted higher.
Black Market Biggest Threat to Legalization
Legalization and the black market are oil and water for the marijuana industry. Neither side of the law does the other side any favors.
Black Market Cannabis Road Hacked, $100,000 in Bitcoin Lost
Cannabis Road is now offline after suffering from an attack that saw hackers abscond with 200 BTC or roughly $100,355 at press time.
Illegal Pot Farms Poison Public Land
Supporting a legitimate industry sometimes takes shutting down the dark side. The Department of Justice has made preventing illegal marijuana cultivation on tribal and public lands one of its top enforcement priorities.
Nation’s Bootleg Bud Reacts to Legalization
It is the summer of 2014 and the legalization snowball continues to roll down the marijuana slope; it has been picking up speed for the past six months as Colorado and Washington have legalized the plant. Furthermore, since 1996, 23 states have changed their laws to allow medical marijuana.
Washington’s Pricey Pot Spurs Black Market
On Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Washington officially became the second state in the union to legalize recreational marijuana. Only six licensed shops were open, but that didn’t stop thousands of cannabis enthusiasts from lining up around the block to be among the first to buy legal cannabis in their state.