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Those who support marijuana prohibition like to talk about all of the problems they feel are inherent to and result from legalization. As someone who wholeheartedly supports an end to prohibition, I can admit there are some major problems with legalization, especially in the U.S.

A glaring problem is that government lawmakers and bureaucrats are in charge of implementing it. This leads to a myriad of delays and compromises that we chronicle regularly here at The Marijuana Times. But some would say that an even bigger problem is the incremental, piecemeal way legalization is being enacted. 

Of course, political realities have dictated the course of cannabis law reform. With the federal government refusing to budge when it comes to marijuana, a state-by-state strategy was the most likely option for success. Since voters and lawmakers and government officials decide in each state what the law will be, not only are there variations from state to state, but also from jurisdiction to jurisdiction within a state.

This has created a situation where someone driving from New York to California could be subject to scores of different laws regarding cannabis along the way. The inefficiency of this is obvious and the confusion it causes is immeasurable. It is such a clear problem that the mainstream press can even see it, as evidenced by this recent piece in Politico that focuses mainly on the friction between the federal government and the states over cannabis.

Prohibition itself was a pretty cut-and-dried process, especially with the passage of The Controlled Substances Act of 1970. That legislation made everything pertaining to cannabis illegal and subject to federal law enforcement, allowing for the creation of the DEA. State legislatures had to follow suit or face all the consequences that come from defying the federal government.

But to reverse that process is a much longer and more arduous journey. Fighting state by state, sometimes even town by town, takes much more time than debating and passing a comprehensive bill in the federal Congress. More time allows for more setbacks, which adds more time, and so on.

If the federal government has passed and enacted marijuana legalization in, say, 2012, how many states would be left today still fighting to keep prohibition? Outside a handful of more conservative states, I can’t imagine too many lawmakers would want to put up that fight.

Now consider the path we are currently on. Without federal legalization, how long do you think it will take until 40 states have adult-use legalization? Does “decades” seem like an unreasonable answer? I would submit that it does not.

The bottom line is that the way we have to go about legalization sucks. It’s slow and takes a tremendous amount of effort for relatively little progress. It creates many problems that would be avoided if things were different on the federal level.

Most regions around the world allow young adults at the age of 18 to enjoy or purchase their own alcohol and tobacco.

However, the US looks to continue limiting illicit cannabis trade as the government has strictly enforced that adults must be 21-years-old or older in order to purchase alcohol. Meanwhile, some parts of the US have also implemented a mandated age of 21 years or older to purchase tobacco.

The US government strongly believed that if the minimum age requirement was raised to 21 it would reduce the number of young adults drinking and smoking. However, Mike Males, a Senior Researcher for San Francisco’s Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, highlighted that changing the age limit has little to no effect in the reduction of underage users – they would likely continue acquiring products through the illicit cannabis trade.

Young people

Teenagers are more likely to obtain their supply from an illegal source and consequently, teenagers are more likely to drink or smoke in excess. Similarly, as the legal cannabis market begins to take off, lawmakers are approaching the industry with caution.

In American states where cannabis is legal for adult-use, only adults 21 years old and over are allowed to purchase any cannabis-based products. On the other hand, Canada allows consumers 18-years-old and older (19 years old in some provinces) to purchase cannabis-based products.

The age difference between the two countries allows Canada to minimise the illicit trade market. Similarly, the United States setting the legal age at 18 years old would add a whole new demographic of young adults to the market, expanding the market penetration even further.

Expunging criminal records

Along with Canada, several other nations have based their cannabis legalisation efforts on a foundation of expunging past criminal records. Notably, Mexico is moving towards legalising cannabis as well, with a primary goal of ending the illicit cannabis trade, or the ‘war on drugs’, and lowering criminal conviction rates.

In particular, Mexico is a region that has been ravaged by the war on drugs, resulting in thousands upon thousands of deaths. Recently, Mexican Senator Julio Menchaca Salazar introduced a piece of legislation that would allow for legal possession, cultivation, and consumption of cannabis for personal use by adults.

Similarly, Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, is also pushing for legalisation to end the racial and ethnic disparities in the African American and Latino communities, in terms of cannabis related arrests.

However, despite Cuomo’s active stance, his efforts have so far been unsuccessful in the state of New York. The Governor did manage to decriminalise cannabis recently, making cannabis possession and use a violation, instead of a crime. Furthermore, the state of New York is also creating a process for individuals convicted of marijuana possession to have their records expunged.

New York Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, said: “Marijuana possession gives those convicted a criminal record that will follow them throughout their lives, potentially limiting their access to education, affecting their ability to obtain employment leading to a potential inability to provide for their families.

“The creation of a mechanism for expungement, both retroactively and forward-looking, is a step in the right direction in finally ending the heavy-handed war on drugs.

Global Payout, Inc. announced earlier this week that it has, “entered into a financing arrangement with a long-term private investor for ongoing financial support at a valuation of ten times the current share price. This investment group has already provided over $2,200,000 (~€25.03m)in investment capital to the company over the past two years and has committed to additional financing of more than $3,000,000 at a 10x valuation for a total investment of over $5,000,000.

“The Company anticipates using a large portion of these proceeds to retire a substantial percentage of the Company’s outstanding convertible debt, which will have tremendous value to the stock and its shareholders.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce financing at such a high valuation,” said Global Payout, CEO Vanessa Luna. “As I have said many times, I believe strongly that this company is on a path to becoming the go-to Fintech solution for the cannabis market, but it feels great to have that affirmed by such a strong investment.

“It reaffirms to me, as CEO, that the growth initiatives and overall trajectory of the business are moving in the right direction; and should signal to shareholders that we mean serious business.

“We are aware that there is still a long way to go to get this company in a truly competitive position, which will involve a hard look at all aspects of both the public and privately held Company, MTrac Tech Corp., but this arrangement certainly offers us the ability to continue to make progress on all fronts as we strive to optimise shareholder value for the long term.”

For cannabis enthusiasts living in adult use states, long gone are the days of sneaking around with a dime bag in a coat pocket and worrying about whether the neighbors know you’ve got weed. But the sad truth is that, for millions of Americans living in prohibition or restrictive medical-only states, accessing safe and regulated cannabis is still a problem, writes Danielle Simone Brand. 

But does that mean that those living without access to the regulated market are abstaining from cannabis altogether? Apparently not. A Gallup poll from last year surveyed American adults in all 50 states and found that 13 percent “regularly” or “occasionally” smoke pot. That number is likely higher in reality, as cannabis consumers in prohibition states tend to feel less comfortable self-reporting their habits. 

So what’s a cannabis lover living in South Bend, Indiana or Twin Falls, Idaho to do? Although there are challenges involved in tracking the kind of behavior that people are reluctant to admit to pollsters and policymakers, we’ve gathered statistics, expert opinions, and anecdotes to paint a picture of the complicated realities of accessing cannabis from prohibition states.

Medical Refugees 

For those who aren’t casual consumers, but medical patients, or parents of a medical patient, there may be few options, aside from relocating to a legal state. It’s hard to track cannabis-motivated migrations, but there are plenty of anecdotes about people in desperate need who’ve moved from prohibition states — and even other countries — to places like Colorado in order to get safe access to cannabis. This issue is the subject of a 2014 documentary hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta and part 2 of a CNN series on cannabis, which helped to bring attention to the plight of medical refugees in need of cannabis, and to change people’s minds about the plant’s medicinal value.  

Recreational Relocators and Job Seekers

While “refugees” may not accurately describe this group, there are Americans who choose to move from a prohibition state to an adult use state because — at least in part — the cannabis policy is more lenient in their destination state. Some people just hate breaking the law, and others risk job loss or other serious consequences for buying and consuming cannabis. In an academic paper called “The Pot Rush: Is Legalized Marijuana a Positive Local Amenity?” researchers found that potential migrants to Colorado indeed saw legalized cannabis as a draw. 

“Legalization plays into people’s broader view of what a state is, or what it’s like, ”Mason Tvert, vice president of communications at VS Strategies and former director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, told Civilized. Those who value a progressive atmosphere may take cannabis’ legal status into consideration when deciding where to live. Others — particularly recent college grads seeking entry to the industry — relocate to legal states for job opportunities. 

Local Buyers

Some cannabis consumers are doing what they’ve always done: buying weed from their local guy (or girl), who sources from black market growers. Growers in the unregulated space, of course, come in all varieties. Some are steeped in the ethic of compassion, which motivates them to risk their freedom to provide medicine and enjoyment for others. These indie growers may abide by safe and principled growing practices; however, because they lack access to the legal testing regime, it’s impossible for an average buyer to know what’s really in the cannabis bought from an unregulated source. 

Other illicit market growers and manufacturers are not so ethical. Pesticides, fungi, molds, e. coli, and other contaminants are regularly found in cannabis products sourced from the illicit market. Case in point: The vaping illnesses making recent headlines are mostly traced back to black market vape cartridges contaminated with toxins. 

And while the illicit market still thrives in California — in no small part because of the lower cost of its products — consumers mostly have a choice. In prohibition states, on the other hand, options are far fewer, and users risk buying and consuming tainted products. Therein lies one of the most compelling arguments for legalizing cannabis: providing safe access. 

Unwitting Customers of International Drug Cartels

The local guy or girl selling in cities and towns all across the U.S. could be sourcing from international cartels — which are also implicated in violence, the weapons trade, and human trafficking. Historically, cartels have taken 20-30 percent of their profits from cannabis smuggling, but the abundant supply of domestic, legal weed available today has prompted them to shift from weed to cocaine, opioids, meth, and drugs of similar ilk. Still, cartels remain involved in smaller ways in the illicit cannabis market. 

Home Growers 

Some in prohibition states are turning to home growing, though the risks remain significant in certain jurisdictions. In Idaho, where no cannabis-friendly legislation has yet passed, possession of even hemp-derived CBD could cause a run-in with the law. Though the 2018 Farm Bill did effectively legalize hemp in all 50 states, specific rules and regulations have not been laid out yet — prompting certain states like Idaho to delay adherence to the law. 

You heard that right: In the golden age of cannabis, a person can still technically get arrested in Idaho for holding a CBD tincture even if it’s for an arthritic grandma or a sick child. Growing a THC-rich strain could cost you 5 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. 

Canna-Tourists

Another option for those living in prohibition states is to partake in the weed tourism industry. Businesses have sprung up in legal states that cater to cannabis consumers or the canna-curious seeking a taste of the legal market. As the most established of the 11 adult use states, Colorado leads the way in this venture. 

“Tougher laws tend to translate to more visitors," Mike Eymer, founder of Colorado Cannabis Tours, told Civilized. "Texas, the southeast, and northeast of the country are large portions of our base.” But vacations, as we all know, don’t last. For regular access, canna-tourism won’t meet the need.

Buying Through the Pipeline

Predictably, entrepreneurs are finding ways to turn on the flow of cannabis from adult use states to prohibition states. It’s illegal, but good business. It’s also the most solid choice for some consumers who want regulated product but don’t happen to live in the right state. 

Daniel, a business owner in Indiana who prefers to use his first name only because he lives in a small town, told Civilized that he buys cannabis from a seller, who in turn purchases from Colorado dispensaries. That seller either drives the 16 hours to his home state with a car stocked full of cannabis, or he ships it back via USPS. 

There’s risk involved for both buyer and seller in this scenario, but Daniel is quick to point out law enforcement’s changing attitudes, driven by the exponential growth of Indiana’s CBD market and by the evolving national discourse around cannabis. Even those who may not have ever understood the benefits of the plant before now see that there are many ways to consume responsibly, and police are therefore becoming more lenient. “People are a lot less afraid now because the consequences for buying or possessing are probably gonna be a slap on the wrist—at most,” he said.

However, Daniel is white. Throughout the country, black people often face much harsher penalties for cannabis infractions than their white counterparts do — even though national stats show that black and white Americans use cannabis in about equal percentages. 

Excursions to Other States 

Jamie, a high school teacher in Boise, Idaho, whose real name is withheld because of her job, says that she enjoys cannabis recreationally while hiking, biking, or doing yoga. “And in the evening,” she told Civilized, “it helps me get a good night’s sleep.” However, Jamie doesn’t feel comfortable seeking out an illicit market source. “I’ve never been good at asking around locally. It’s not my personality,” she said. 

So, when the Oregon border town of Ontario opened its first legal dispensary in July, Jamie has regularly made the 100-mile round trip journey to buy flower and edibles. Even though it’s still illegal to bring the product back to her home state, she’s not alone. Idaho plates often fill the lot at the border town dispensary and business is good. 

Across-state-lines cannabis commerce may be fairly common today, but Jamie is well aware of the risk. “I think twice about it,” she said. “If I were to get in trouble for this, I could lose my job.”

The Domino Effect

Jared Moffat, a campaign coordinator for the Marijuana Policy Project told Civilized that the organization was keen to be part of Michigan’s 2018 legalization campaign “because we understood that getting a foothold in the Midwest would break the perception that legalization was something limited to the West and the Northeast.” And that seems to have borne fruit; less than a year later, Illinois became the second Midwestern state to legalize adult use. 

When one state legalizes, there’s an overall bump in media coverage. There are states where a certain newspaper may cover areas in other states, and so you see the dialogue of one state seep into the other,” MasonTvert told Civilized. He added that the national dialogue is heard everywhere and thereby contributes to changes in attitude and — potentially — in policy.

There’s even some indication of competition between states, said Tvert. Certain state governments are starting to pay attention to the legalization status of neighboring states and looking to craft similar policies. In New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, for instance, he observed "a lot of discussion about states in the region moving forward and needing to keep up and be competitive.”

Rhode Island’s state government is being spurred to action by the fact that neighboring Massachusetts has passed an adult use law. Legislators there worry that Rhode Island will be left out as a center of innovation — not to mention tax revenue. “If you want your state to be a leader in business, or to be the place where companies choose to locate, you need to be moving on this,” said Tvert. 

He pointed out the fact that Colorado’s former governor, John Hickenlooper, did not seem to appreciate what the cannabis industry could bring the state. According to Tvert, Colorado’s current governor, Jared Polis, has made it a point to keep Colorado a place where cannabis startups wants to locate, or where a large multi-state operator will be based. “Governors want to attract business,” he said. “They want the 500-person factory or the 5,000-person headquarters in their state. And that’s no different with cannabis — or at least it shouldn’t be.” 

Prohibition is a Failed Policy

Even though some form of prohibition persists in most of the U.S., Americans are still consuming cannabis. We’re smoking, vaping, eating, dabbing, and otherwise consuming it because it feels good or helps with intractable health issues; in any case, it’s far safer than alcohol and opioids. 

Jared Moffat of MPP says that over the last few years “public opinion has definitively shifted in our favor.” The organization’s strategy is to pass as many reforms on a state-by-state level as possible in hopes that this will put pressure on Congress to act. “This year we’re seeing more support, and more votes for marijuana policy reform bills than ever,” he said. Even among Republican and conservative voters, Moffat added, support for medical marijuana polls very high. 

Daniel, the business owner and cannabis consumer in Indiana, believes that the need for legalization is becoming more and more urgent in states with larger rural populations. “There are people who’ve done manual labor all their lives — who are in pain — and depend on opioids. But because of the crackdown, they can’t get them anymore. And cannabis,” he said, “could really help.” 

This September, the largest legal medical cannabis crop in Southeast Asia was planted at Thailand’s Maejo University, in its medical-grade greenhouse. The crop is made up of 12,000 cannabis sprouts, which will be cultivated and to turned into cannabis oil.

The Bangkok Post reports the crop is the first-ever done to industrial scale in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In theory, the crop will be able to produce one million bottles of cannabis oil, containing five milliliters of cannabis oil each by next February. That oil will be produced from 2.4 tons of dry marijuana flowers grown in about 32,722 square feet of space.

Historically, Thailand has had a thriving underground cannabis scene, but the government heavily criminalized the plant as one of America’s allies in the War on Drugs. However, in December 2018, Thailand’s conservative government jumped on board the growing international cannabis movement and legalized a strict medical marijuana industry.

This August, the Thai government unveiled its first cannabis laboratory in Rangsit University, where professors are have launched a “ganja studies” program. The university was initially reliant on cannabis that police seized from the underground market, but grows like the one just planted at Maejo University will change that dynamic.

The actual planting of the first sprouts at Maejo was quite the affair, featuring Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul getting dirt under his nails to kick off the crop.

While the crop is at an industrial scale, Charnvirakul said it was a first step in opening up the medical cannabis cultivation process to entities that aren’t licensed by the government.

“These are historic first steps on the path towards allowing people to grow six cannabis trees in their homes,” Charnvirakul told the crowd. “The university will be a center where ordinary people can learn how to plant and grow good quality cannabis. Cannabis is not an issue of politics, it is a product that can benefit people’s health. In the near future, families will be able to plant it in their back gardens like any other herb.”

The university’s director of Maejo Natural Farming Research and Development Centre, Arnat Tancho, will also personally lead the grow as the project manager. He believes the facility’s pedigree will allow his team to produce a medical-grade product completely organically. This means no fertilizers or feeding programs loaded with things like heavy metals, or worse!

According to Tancho, even the strain being planted makes the project special. The strain is called Issara 01, and it was developed from a spread of domestic genetics. Tancho said one of the reasons they went with a strain from rural Northern Thailand for their grow was to inspire people about the quality and possibilities of domestic genetics.

Tancho said the strain will be a one-to-one CBD to THC ratio. He says that is what the medical market demands at the moment. He also says the crop could move to a full outdoor setting in the not-too-distant future if a “plantation license” is approved. He thinks plantation-style grows of local genetics to each region could end up popping up all over Thailand.

With the emphasis of this project being the first of many, it would seem the wider population of Thailand will soon have their opportunity to grow six plants at home.

They will also have the opportunity to sell the final product from their backyard gardens to the government. Each plant could be worth for 2,225 Thai Baht, equal to $73.21 USD, so they have a chance at earning up to $439.26. The average household income in Thailand is only $3,322.81 USD, according to CEIC Data, so this is a reasonably good size chunk of change for people if the program ever gets going.