In the spirit of making Trees a welcoming and uplifting place for everyone, please follow our Commandments.
Mass legalization is good, but this was never gonna happen without the typical corruption of capitalism.
We live in a capitalist country ruled by capitalists. It was always gonna work out this way.
So, yeah, not ideal, but at least many places are also including expungement clauses.
How can a billion dollar market not to end up as big business?
Serious question.
the economy is a circle. people choose where they buy from and what they buy, and producers and stores don't just make money from thin air.
people often choose convenience and lower price, indirectly choosing to be part of something "big" by supporting the big business. there is a disconnect in thinking choosing higher inconvenience and cost in the name of supporting smaller businesses "does anything" - except youre already doing something, youre supporting the big business and literally responsible for its success
same thing happens when a mutual fund rewards a company for profits while ignoring how it got them. nevermind we are simultaneously the customers and employees these companies poorly treat, extort and squeeze for every penny.
until people decide individually to make decisions and sacrifices for everyones future, rather than spouting the obvious propaganda that individual action doesn't matter, therefore why bother? it can't.
also, late stage capitalism doesnt do stability- you get yours while you can and get out because the next crash is coming soon
america is a country full of people who can't wait for the next new thing they'll be able to point to their neighbors also doing and shrug, while whatever it is further burns their world to the ground. lately that thing is ditching pensions and low yield investments to make retirement dependent on the profits of giant, horrible companies. I honestly think it'll be the one of a thousand papercuts as everyone shirks responsibility because, hey, this bread and these circuses aren't that bad...
edit tl;dr americans have a serious disconnect between their actions and the consequences of them at scale. until that changes, we all lose
I'm pretty happy with the current situation with the farm bill - only good thing the big Cheeto has done. I can order anything and get it delivered to my door. I like having contact with farms and knowing where stuff comes from. I do feel bad for the few states who have outlawed it.
I'm quite excited for it, primarily, to help solve the human cost of drug-related violence, etc. If you don't want the alcohol, businesses, etc. Most of the state laws at least allow some sort of growing at home. So you could always do that.
In addition, it means consistent quality. I used to smoke, which was easy to self-regulate. Now I use edibles because I can be pretty sure what the effect will be.
It’s fantastic up in Canada.
I'm with you. The commodification of weed is the worst ever thing to happen to it. Pretty nice that the government lets me grow now though instead of imprisonment.
Let the government “control” it, tax it, and everyone is on the same leg.