Originally Posted by seattlegreens
To those saying these stores are cheaper than the street, maybe it is in some cases for very small quantities.
In my case, my friends have provided for cheaper than the advertised rates of roughly $10 a gram when buying an ounce or more. I was hoping that a legal supply would equal a better quality and price. This is not the case.
I'm not planning to open one.
I'm also not planning to grow anything.
I did not ever say it should be given away for free.
If it did become totally legal, it would be very profitable at a rate far less than $4500 per pound.
Even at $2 a gram, that's almost $1000 a pound, even then it would be profitable.
For those places that do not grow their own to sell, and are forced to pay $3000+ per pound, they have to sell it above what they pay, of course.
Those that grow their own, and still want over $4000 a pound are only taking advantage of the loophole in the law. They would be selling drugs if they were legal, illegal, harmful or helpful. For them, it's best this way for things to be in the gray area. They can charge just as much as street dealers (or some say here they should charge more) without as much risk.
If it was totally illegal - high risk, high profit
If it was totally legal - no risk, no profit (tobacco companies would be much more efficient that home growers)
If it's like California - best option for drug dealers - high profits, less risk
The government needs to step in and do something to take away the profits of the crime syndicates:
A) Government or pharmaceutical companies producing for patients
B) Legalize it completely
A lot of people have a lot of money to lose if they can't grow/sell at these prices. This money should be taken out of the hands of dealers and put into the hands of the government/community or at least into legitimate business.
Go the legal route and we'll have cops with more time to protect citizens against violent crimes, less people in jail, more money in the economy and maybe most importantly a more free, more green society.