Do small time gangbanger 5 and dime dealers make regular smokers look bad?

[sensistar]

I recently had the really great time(ha) of chillen at a friends house and seeing the friday night dealings that go on .Im usually a in and out guy but i decided to hang for a couple hours and had the wonderfull pleasure of meating some hip hop hat wearing -gold chain bearing white kids who make the weekly trek on over to my guys house for a qp.

I never really realised he delt with this sort of characters,me and him are 30 year old semi new age hippy rave kids ,sure we listen to old hip hop and rap put we are both out of the new younger style.
He went on for a hour about how these kids go to malls and mc donalds parking lots and peddle 5 dollar bags and blunts to the high school kids .

Im not usully a hater-- but, it really makes me pissy that these little punks are out pitching weed like its crack to street level buyers..
Ive had to do the street buys when i lived in chicago but alot of these kids are doing it in small ton parking lots ...

If pot is to become legal these little wanna be gangbangers need to be cleaned up so that the average person that is on the fence about weed isnt swayed into weed hate because of the little tough guy outfits and attitudes that are being displayed in small town america locations.

thats just my opinion.

[tokingfool]

Before ya go judging these kids...walk a mile in their shoes.

I know when I was young... selling weed provided the money for me to eat

[BeefsMyFav]

sensistar ..... agree with u completely.... ppl are judgemental. that kinda image makes some ppl think "hey if that thug smokes and sells that evil weed it must be dangerous". I think is definitely a problem for the road to legalization.. as for walking in their shoes, if u need food dont come to me with ur "hip hop" hat and "gold chain" or ur air force ones beggin for money for food. theres plenty of legal ways to earn money out there, selling weed to high school kids isnt one of them. its not the only option, just the easier one.

[DAP8026]

I second Sensi and Beef. People assume that weed is associated with gangs and violence, but gangs and the hip hop culture associates itself with weed. If society realized how many aristocratic, upperclass people smoked weed then it would not be seen as such a big deal. If a lot of people think of weed they either think of the gangs I mentioned or high school drop out hippies. It pisses me off. I am majoring in physics and math right now and I smoke weed. Society is ignorant about these things and only the bad people who smoke pot get mentioned.

[gnarshred57]

back when i was in HS I saw these kids everywhere. not only did they sell dime bags to kids in my HS but ooh man did they rip you off. They would have dimebags set up and if a kid wanted a dimebag, he would get a dimebag. If a kid asked for a half track, you would get one of their dimebags. They didn't care because they were the bad ass kids and nobody would fuck with them. IT pissed me off throughout highschool....

[RamblerGambler]

Indeed. Walk a mile in their kicks. How else will they be able to ape a caricature they saw in a music video?

[NextLineIsMine]

Theres no need for drugs to be sold on the streets, only the truely stupid with no sense of discretion do this, and yes it is bad rep to us. Then again id say dont waste your time sweating what people think.


We should just smoke weed if we want to, smoking weed doesnt mean you should have to become a PR agent for it

[bonsaiguy]

Sensi,
If you guys are smart you'll cut these little monsters off. They are selling to young kids and they are selling in the open and make no mistake, they will likely sell you out in a heartbeat to save their own asses. Oh and the next time you see them, tell them to pull up their damned pants. It makes is so much easier when you're trying to outrun the cops.

[JohnnyZ]

Before ya go judging these kids...walk a mile in their shoes.

I know when I was young... selling weed provided the money for me to eat

Bullshit man. When you're young, you have the whole world before you. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can find work somewhere. I can't stand people with that defeatist attitude. When I was 15 I started washing dishes in a tiny little restaurant making $7/h. Sure you probably make money hand over fist peddling to your buddies, but at least I know what a hard day's work is like.

[thcbongman]

Bullshit man. When you're young, you have the whole world before you. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can find work somewhere. I can't stand people with that defeatist attitude. When I was 15 I started washing dishes in a tiny little restaurant making $7/h. Sure you probably make money hand over fist peddling to your buddies, but at least I know what a hard day's work is like.

So you'd rather wash dishes at 15 than have hands-on experience with basics of entrepeneurship. That maybe your opinion, but I hardly define that as a defeatist attitude. In the future you could put that on your resume, not as selling cannabis, but replace with a legitimate product. It's experience and it's self-employment.

I don't think those gangbangers kids are any worse than those hippies with long hair, unshaven with a pot-leaf shirt. At least they're working, albeit illegally rather than buying pot from the gangbangers with their parents money. Any kind of person or behavior can make the movement look bad. But hey, hey what can you do? Show you are the good example.

[sensistar]

First off,little dingy hippy kids are very talented and crafty unlike the little hip hop kids ,,once in las vegas hippy sold me some wrapped up green carpet fibers from vaccum bag out of a garbage can behind a casino ..lol

BUT anyways,pot is what it is POT just a plant ,and i agree with a few posts up in the thinking that hip hop glorifies pot .
I remember when Warren G threw a blunt up in the snoop dog video way back in the day ,it was like he was trying to make me think he is special,meanwhile my parents are blazing in the garage all icognito just trying to get high..

Beleive me im sure these little punk dealers are hooking up people that just want to get high BUT they are also getting busted alot more than your typical smoker and through court and newspaper articles it makes POT look like some petty PUNK drug ,when it is just a plant .

And im not trying to hate ,i have a few co-workers and mutual friends that consort with what i call __punk/fatherless remnants of a dead mtv era that havent yet found themselves ,so they follow a a video or song that will be completely forgoten in 3 years .....oops i went there.:smokin:

[JohnnyZ]

So you'd rather wash dishes at 15 than have hands-on experience with basics of entrepeneurship. That maybe your opinion, but I hardly define that as a defeatist attitude. In the future you could put that on your resume, not as selling cannabis, but replace with a legitimate product. It's experience and it's self-employment.

Yes, I would much rather have a good work ethic than know how to deal drugs. You learn how to count grams and ounces in grade school buddy, don't make it out to be an actual profession. Get real.

How can you possibly stand up for the low life drug dealer types? And how can you say they don't have a defeatist attitude? They take the easy road out and try to become Fiddycent. I'm not ragging on all drug dealers, because without them I wouldn't be high. I am ragging on the fucking wiggers who try and act tough with their sideways hats and Phat Farm hoodies.

[420_24/7]

Yes, I would much rather have a good work ethic than know how to deal drugs. You learn how to count grams and ounces in grade school buddy, don't make it out to be an actual profession. Get real.

How can you possibly stand up for the low life drug dealer types? And how can you say they don't have a defeatist attitude? They take the easy road out and try to become Fiddycent. I'm not ragging on all drug dealers, because without them I wouldn't be high. I am ragging on the fucking wiggers who try and act tough with their sideways hats and Phat Farm hoodies.

Don't knock someone because of their own personal style. I have a dealer thats just like who your describing, and he's a great guy. One of my best friends, sideways cap, chains and all. Just because somebody likes rap and fits the culture does not mean they're stupid or irresponsible. I mean, what the hell is wrong with a kid having a dream to be like their idol, be it "fiddycent" or Robert Plant. Go ahead and try to tell me that people haven't always been the exact same way, just with different role models.

Im afraid what your saying is all of this certain type of people are the same, and they all fit the negative stereotype. Sounds like somthin them white folks used to say bout the colored folks way back when.

Oh yea, and this guy im talking about has a good job which supports his dealing, which supports his weed smoking. This guy gets pretty more income than anyone else i know in the same situation. He's done very good for himself. Also he's finishing school and getting ready to go to college. Now ask again HOW someone can possibly stand up for these, "low life drug dealer types." Funny how some people don't allow themselves to be put down by the guy out there discriminating against them.

I think what are more predominant in America than racial stereotyping, are age and lifestyle stereotyping. I mean there are laws that say you can't not hire a black man because he's black. There's no law that says you can't hire someone because of the way they dress or act. Maybe that has something to do with why these kids don't have real jobs.

[RamblerGambler]

But... Robert Plant had talent. "fiddycent" is a corporate creation, yet another in a long line of mass produced, over sampled talentless hacks. Let's not forget how successful he was at his previous occupation slinging rock. I seem to recall him getting a pink slip... in the form of 9 bullets. This isn't to say that I don't appreciate rap, simply I don't appreciate what it's becoming. When MTV helps to find the next hip-hop mogul, something is very wrong. Of course, it was already headed in this direction when Soulja Boy makes millions of nothing more then a hook, and making and selling crack remains the template for way too many songs.

[marijuanaisgr8]

Alot of ppls views on this seem to be pretty narrow minded. It seems moreso that most of the people who posted are older and dont like the young hip hop culture. Hip Hop does glorify weed, which I dont like. But just because those kids dress a certain way does mean you can automatically throw them in a category.

There is nothing wrong with street level dealers in my mind as long as they arent forcing their product on high school kids. The only thing I Dont like is the unnecessary violence and ripping off that goes on at the street level... but AYE that same stuff goes on in the everything from government to business to politics. Its life.

[JohnnyZ]

Don't knock someone because of their own personal style. I have a dealer thats just like who your describing, and he's a great guy. One of my best friends, sideways cap, chains and all. Just because somebody likes rap and fits the culture does not mean they're stupid or irresponsible. I mean, what the hell is wrong with a kid having a dream to be like their idol, be it "fiddycent" or Robert Plant. Go ahead and try to tell me that people haven't always been the exact same way, just with different role models.

Im afraid what your saying is all of this certain type of people are the same, and they all fit the negative stereotype. Sounds like somthin them white folks used to say bout the colored folks way back when.

Oh yea, and this guy im talking about has a good job which supports his dealing, which supports his weed smoking. This guy gets pretty more income than anyone else i know in the same situation. He's done very good for himself. Also he's finishing school and getting ready to go to college. Now ask again HOW someone can possibly stand up for these, "low life drug dealer types." Funny how some people don't allow themselves to be put down by the guy out there discriminating against them.

I think what are more predominant in America than racial stereotyping, are age and lifestyle stereotyping. I mean there are laws that say you can't not hire a black man because he's black. There's no law that says you can't hire someone because of the way they dress or act. Maybe that has something to do with why these kids don't have real jobs.

Great, at least we're both speaking from experiences. Obviously the problem is my experiences are different than yours. Around here, every wigger I meet is the same. I still don't understand why they buy clothes that are way too big. They're all the brainless stoners and they just happen to fit that stereotype. I like hiphop too, I listen to a lot of underground music and I love it, but it doesn't make me a dumbass stoner.

And don't compare me to a racist.

[420_24/7]

Great, at least we're both speaking from experiences. Obviously the problem is my experiences are different than yours. Around here, every wigger I meet is the same. I still don't understand why they buy clothes that are way too big. They're all the brainless stoners and they just happen to fit that stereotype. I like hiphop too, I listen to a lot of underground music and I love it, but it doesn't make me a dumbass stoner.

And don't compare me to a racist.

I compare you to a racist because what you said was comparable to racism. Also, calling them brainless stoners is just lending to the truth of that stereotype too. Just because they wear different clothes than you doesn't mean anything. That's just insulting their lifestyle.

[JohnnyZ]

Alright buddy you win, but I bet 100% of them end up asking "Do you want fries with that?" for a living.

[RamblerGambler]

Come on Johnny, that's not fair to say about all of them. Some wiggers make it big... Didn't you see that documentary Malibu's Most Wanted?:wtf:

[Reefer Rogue]

You have to realize these people are like us, they are not the enemy, we share similar values and beliefs regarding cannabis. The real people that make US look bad is the media/gov/legislators.

[thcbongman]

Yes, I would much rather have a good work ethic than know how to deal drugs. You learn how to count grams and ounces in grade school buddy, don't make it out to be an actual profession. Get real.

How can you possibly stand up for the low life drug dealer types? And how can you say they don't have a defeatist attitude? They take the easy road out and try to become Fiddycent. I'm not ragging on all drug dealers, because without them I wouldn't be high. I am ragging on the fucking wiggers who try and act tough with their sideways hats and Phat Farm hoodies.

If you think it's easy to be successful and to build solid customer rapport in a very competitive market, obviously you haven't been smoking weed long enough. It has nothing to do with ethics because the guys who are most successful at dealing drugs are the most ethical and do good business. They are the ones that last, while the ones who only do it for the hip-hop image fail.

If you think you work any harder than dealers by washing dishes, you are wrong. What do you think they do, just sit there and wait for people to come? If you want your business to grow, you have to expand your customer base, you have to market your product, you have to get good product consistantly by networking. These are all skills you can apply to a real profession.

If you think you don't carry away any marketable skills after you sell anything, you are absolutely wrong. Let's take a look at the responsibilities of a sales manager:

· develop and manage outside sales team

· new business development

· business-to-business sales

· achieving sales goals

· accountability

Any skill you develop regardless of where you developed them can be marketable in the future, you don't have to necessarily learn them from a job.

If this post if any indication, you probably left half your marketable skills off your resume based on ignorance.

[RamblerGambler]

thcbongman, you raise several good points. However, I'm also reminded of a telling quote from the first season of Weeds: "Drugs sell themselves. You ain't shit." I suppose the truth lies somewhere in between.

[thcbongman]

thcbongman, you raise several good points. However, I'm also reminded of a telling quote from the first season of Weeds: "Drugs sell themselves. You ain't shit." I suppose the truth lies somewhere in between.

Drugs do sell themselves because people want drugs, that's why a lot of people want to sell weed making it extremely competitive.

However you have to think as a buyer and you didn't have any, if Dealer A has trouble securing good product for a day or two even though he's your regular dealer, would you consider going somewhere else? The answer for most of you would be absolutely.

That's why maintaining your customer base and keep business going is absolutely paramount to being successful. If a dealer is off even for a day, it affects his/her business.

[JohnnyZ]

You are blowing this so out of proportion. By your reasoning, all kids should drop out of highschool and become drug dealers, because they will acquire enough business knowledge to become the next CEO of Sprint.

Nice life.

[overgrowthegovt]

I compare you to a racist because what you said was comparable to racism. Also, calling them brainless stoners is just lending to the truth of that stereotype too. Just because they wear different clothes than you doesn't mean anything. That's just insulting their lifestyle.

The difference, I think, is that racism is clearly repugnant because it makes assumptions about people based on something they do not choose--just because somebody is born with light or dark skin does not inherently determine what kind of person they will be. How somebody dresses, however, the kinds of words they use, what kind of lifestyle they have...these are all choices. They don't paint a thorough and all-encompassing portrait of an individual's character, no, but they provide clues as to their values, what they think is cool, etc. If a guy wears a pot leaf shirt, he can't yell discrimination when he gets taken for a toker. Likewise, one of these gangsta types can't yell discrimination when people cross the street to avoid them, considering their culture glorifies violence. Having said that, I say give every individual a chance, but presuppositions are sometimes valid; that's all.

Oh, and a part of me died inside when I heard Robert Plant compared to "fiddycent".

[420_24/7]

But... Robert Plant had talent. "fiddycent" is a corporate creation, yet another in a long line of mass produced, over sampled talentless hacks. Let's not forget how successful he was at his previous occupation slinging rock. I seem to recall him getting a pink slip... in the form of 9 bullets. This isn't to say that I don't appreciate rap, simply I don't appreciate what it's becoming. When MTV helps to find the next hip-hop mogul, something is very wrong. Of course, it was already headed in this direction when Soulja Boy makes millions of nothing more then a hook, and making and selling crack remains the template for way too many songs.

I have a suspicion that Soulja boy is trolling the world. He's actually a really smart guy who's taking advantage of the idiots in the world. (joke)


Oh, and a part of me died inside when I heard Robert Plant compared to "fiddycent".

Trust me, I wasn't comparing them in regards to talent. I hate "fiddycent" I was just comparing them as they are both celebrity role models from different eras.

[thcbongman]

You are blowing this so out of proportion. By your reasoning, all kids should drop out of highschool and become drug dealers, because they will acquire enough business knowledge to become the next CEO of Sprint.

Nice life.

You are applying the same reasoning as freevibe, those anti-drug commercials, all your reasoning against it is based on your hatred of wiggers and stereotypes and wiggers. You state I'm the one blowing it out of proportion when really, that incredulous statement is blowing everything I said out of proportion.

No where did I even imply that kids should drop out of school and sell drugs. No where did I imply you'll become a CEO off selling drugs. All I basically said is there are some marketable skills you learn from dealing drugs. Just like a girl selling cookies, or some boy selling lemonade in his neighborhood. What I said has nothing to do with wiggers, more against this comment you made:



"Bullshit man. When you're young, you have the whole world before you. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can find work somewhere. I can't stand people with that defeatist attitude. When I was 15 I started washing dishes in a tiny little restaurant making $7/h. Sure you probably make money hand over fist peddling to your buddies, but at least I know what a hard day's work is like.

If you think those kids selling bags in the corner are making pump over fist, you are kidding yourself. Reality is the kid is a drug dealers bitch, like his sales clerk. Unlike what you think no one with the right mind would put up with that bullshit unless they really want to be in the game, I don't care how glorified hip-hop makes it out to be because that's glorified bullshit.

The guy who's really making money are the ones above them and likewise it's incremental. You have to consider a couple factors. They do not work an hourly wage, they work base on profit. Therefore the only way they'll make money is to sell a lot and sell it fast. It isn't easy.

In reality small-time dealers are making less than what you make working as a dishwasher and the work is different but equally as grueling. There's no doubt some are making less than $5 an hour. They have to organize their time around delivery, they have to find new customers, they have to talk to people, they have to negotiate with people. Dealing with all the BS with dealing drugs, it is work because of you don't do that, you aren't going to maintain a profitable flow. Replace marijuana with computer, or cell phone and the same concept applies. Likewise if they are successful, they learned something about entrepeneurship. If they failed, they didn't not learn the concepts properly.

I also believe it's a free world. You can dress what you want, be what you want as long as you understand and accept the consequences.

I met some obnoxious wiggers in my lifetime that I couldn't stand, infact a bunch of friends and I ran from because one decided to punch one friend, smack another over the head with a bottle for no reason and we were outnumbered 2-1. Just one story. I have plenty of experience around crazy wiggerness. I also met some incredibly chill ones who don't hate, are more quiet, but like to express their style. I simply think you shouldn't be hating and judge each person individually on their actions. Stereotypes are just that, stereotypes. I don't what they care about what they rap in hip-hop, it's music, it's suppose to set you free, it isn't reality, it isn't fact, it's expression.

[Lit Up]

I had a wigger friend, even though I think the term "wigger" is as equally disrespectful as the N-word, I don't use either. I have a lot of black friends at school and personally don't care for those words.

OK, so my friend was all out gangsta back in the day, but he is one of the nicest people I know. They will grow out it.

BTW this kind of random.

[sensistar]

random indeed__but on the topic of street dealers
Listen there are a few types of these dealers ,(wiggers is sort of racist )
Wanksters or false flaggers as i call them are the guys that roll 4 deep in the sled staring at people acting like they are in some weird straight to video movie were white kids in any shape or form are dangerous gangsters.
They hang at parking lots because they still live at home or at there grandmas,they dress overly black style ,like flea market hip hop clothes and shoes,you know the guys...

Like i said before i now there are a few small time guys that have descent jobs and drive nice rides but those arent the guys i was refering too.

And it is common to see a occasional real black guy with these groups of white kids ,and usually the black kid no matter what size he is is the the group leader ..they make WEED LOOK SO BAD ,,,its retarded how bad these groups look to perty much all the public ,hell even my black friends get angry when they see these guys at the mall walking around buying nothing ,freaking out the customers __ill bet the malls around america only have security for these sort of people ,and that cost them thousands of dollars .
:rastasmoke::pimp::smokin::rasta::stoned::thumbsup :

[bonsaiguy]

I get what Sensi is saying. If you're hanging in parking lots and "looking the part" you're already telling the cops "we're up to no good". And if you're intimidating people ad asking like a badass, you're just asking for it. Especially in the concealed carry states. Never underestimate a frightened little old lady or soccer mom who might be packing a 9 mil.

[DAP8026]

I agree with a lot of your logic THC, but you cannot use the exact same economic principles while referring to the blackmarket as you would when talking about mainstream Corporate America. For instance, you cannot use terms like "market your product" so loosely. We all know word of mouth advertising seems to be the most effective, but that alone barely constitutes as "marketing your product" if at all. You cannot exactly advertise an illicit substance like you could a pair of shoes or a video game console. I also believe the difficulty of attaining some of the other things you mentioned such as new business development and achieving sales goals in the blackmarket are in no way comparable to that of which you referred to as a "real profession". I am from TN, which according to the NORML Report on U.S. Domestic Marijuana Production and information gathered by the DEA, is the third leading producer of marijuana in the Unites States only behind Kentucky, and California. That being said, I have never seen anyone, big time or small, who has had to compete for market share in marijuana. I also live in a large metropolitan city as well. The demand is just too high.

My second point is that whether or not you like to admit it society does look down on the hip hop subculture. I am not saying you deny or advocate this in any way and I am certainly not trying to justify it. At midyear 2007 there were 4,618 black male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 black males in the United States, compared to 1,747 Hispanic male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 Hispanic males and 773 white male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 white males. I cannot in anyway prove how these black males acted or what they listened to, but I would not be afraid to say that they were affiliated with the hip hop culture at least somewhat. I wish the ignorance would end same as you THC. America only wants to focus on the negatives. They never mention the great people of our society who smoked marijuana. One of my idols, Carl Sagan, is considered by many to be one of the top three Physicists of the 21st century. What no one wanted to mention is the fact that he was an avid smoker. He formulated and wrote the answer to one of his most famous equations on his shower wall in steam while him and his wife were stoned bathing together. Why wasn't he mentioned in the news for smoking marijuana?

[Spoken Word]

Don't knock someone because of their own personal style. I have a dealer thats just like who your describing, and he's a great guy. One of my best friends, sideways cap, chains and all. Just because somebody likes rap and fits the culture does not mean they're stupid or irresponsible. I mean, what the hell is wrong with a kid having a dream to be like their idol, be it "fiddycent" or Robert Plant. Go ahead and try to tell me that people haven't always been the exact same way, just with different role models.

Im afraid what your saying is all of this certain type of people are the same, and they all fit the negative stereotype. Sounds like somthin them white folks used to say bout the colored folks way back when.

Oh yea, and this guy im talking about has a good job which supports his dealing, which supports his weed smoking. This guy gets pretty more income than anyone else i know in the same situation. He's done very good for himself. Also he's finishing school and getting ready to go to college. Now ask again HOW someone can possibly stand up for these, "low life drug dealer types." Funny how some people don't allow themselves to be put down by the guy out there discriminating against them.

I think what are more predominant in America than racial stereotyping, are age and lifestyle stereotyping. I mean there are laws that say you can't not hire a black man because he's black. There's no law that says you can't hire someone because of the way they dress or act. Maybe that has something to do with why these kids don't have real jobs.
:thumbsup:

in my circle, we don't judge... as long as the person isn't firing automatic weapons into crowds, i can care less about his "persona".

i've learned that a style of dress or even a form of expression doesn't define the character of the person.. their ACTIONS do.

don't be so naive..
many of these "gangsters" dress like that as a self defence.. deep inside, most of them question life like all of us......

[thcbongman]

I agree with a lot of your logic THC, but you cannot use the exact same economic principles while referring to the blackmarket as you would when talking about mainstream Corporate America. For instance, you cannot use terms like "market your product" so loosely. We all know word of mouth advertising seems to be the most effective, but that alone barely constitutes as "marketing your product" if at all. You cannot exactly advertise an illicit substance like you could a pair of shoes or a video game console. I also believe the difficulty of attaining some of the other things you mentioned such as new business development and achieving sales goals in the blackmarket are in no way comparable to that of which you referred to as a "real profession". I am from TN, which according to the NORML Report on U.S. Domestic Marijuana Production and information gathered by the DEA, is the third leading producer of marijuana in the Unites States only behind Kentucky, and California. That being said, I have never seen anyone, big time or small, who has had to compete for market share in marijuana. I also live in a large metropolitan city as well. The demand is just too high.

My second point is that whether or not you like to admit it society does look down on the hip hop subculture. I am not saying you deny or advocate this in any way and I am certainly not trying to justify it. At midyear 2007 there were 4,618 black male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 black males in the United States, compared to 1,747 Hispanic male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 Hispanic males and 773 white male sentenced prisoners per 100,000 white males. I cannot in anyway prove how these black males acted or what they listened to, but I would not be afraid to say that they were affiliated with the hip hop culture at least somewhat. I wish the ignorance would end same as you THC. America only wants to focus on the negatives. They never mention the great people of our society who smoked marijuana. One of my idols, Carl Sagan, is considered by many to be one of the top three Physicists of the 21st century. What no one wanted to mention is the fact that he was an avid smoker. He formulated and wrote the answer to one of his most famous equations on his shower wall in steam while him and his wife were stoned bathing together. Why wasn't he mentioned in the news for smoking marijuana?

You made some very valid points. The basic principles can be carried over to other industries. Example, attaining new business development and sales goals vary depending on the industry. However the legality affects the business environment so you aren't going to have the same type of transaction like corporations. There is no doubt some form of marketing although not complex through mass media or customer satisfaction surveys. Example of hype the quality, strain names in the black market and various concepts like dryness are for the most part marketing ploys. Good quality cannabis sell itself, but it's not necessarly the case with low-grade cannabis which customers sometime need convincing to buy it. The market is saturated with so much marijuana and much of the demand tend to go for higher quality cannabis rather than low. Regardless, there is competition although there is plenty of demand to satisfy it.

I certainly agree with you that the attitudes towards hip-hop are negative for a reason. Mainstream hip-hop artists projects a negative image for the most part, and the studios cooperate in releasing and marketing their material. But people buy that shit. I'm not saying every hip-hop artist is like that, Kanye West is a mainstream example who isn't, but garbage apparently sells.

I wish for ignorance to end, but it will always exist. It's the nature of being human, everyone posesses ignorance of some form but regardless strive for the better.