Marijuana and the California economy


Unexpected boon or tempting target? Only the FedGovs know for sure.

What's a major industry in a state with too many taxes and too much spending?

You know and I know. It's just finally getting play in the major media.

I wonder how much longer the FedGovs can allow this to go on.

Perhaps no one knows that better than Ukiah Morrison, a Mendocino pot grower. In most places, he would be considered an outlaw, but not in this neck of the woods.

“This is as natural as growing corn to me,” he said. “This is the lifeblood of the county. And it has been for more than 30 years.”

Morrison walks a fine line. He grows as much marijuana as he can without triggering a legal crackdown. He can do that because authorities here are overwhelmed by the sheer number of growers. They’re also hampered by conflicting state, federal and county laws governing marijuana.

Marijuana is the major cash crop here. A county-commissioned study reports pot accounts for up to two-thirds of the local economy.

“I don’t think there’s anything more important in this economy. To take this out would be a major blow,” said Morrison.

Though reliable numbers are hard to come by, marijuana growers in Mendocino County generate an estimated $1 billion a year. That makes the area home to a sizable chunk of a national market for marijuana believed to be in the tens of billions of dollars.

Hat tip To the People.

Update - Minor spelling error in the title, sorry about that.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Mon - January 26, 2009 at 01:22 PM  Tag


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