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Calif. Stoked About Pot Profits

Some call for legalization; others say it makes no difference

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Even if they’re not legal without a doctor’s recommendation, marijuana sales are far from clandestine in California, and some say the state should finish what it started and just legalize pot for everyone, the AP reports. “The culture has gone so far beyond the law,” says a man who runs a pair of weed dispensaries, a weed trade school, and weed magazines. If the law catches up, it could generate hundreds of millions yearly, says an official.

One top pot-growing county ranks 48th out of 58 counties in median income, but could stand at 18th if weed sales were counted. “I don't think you or I have any sense for how much money is generated,” says a local banker. Still, authorities pulled 364,000 of the county’s plants last year. But eventually, politicians are “going to see the economic benefits, they're going to see the health benefits, and they're going to jump on the bandwagon,” says an advocate.

In this photo from Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Jim Hill shows the roots of a cloned marijuana plant he grows for medical purposes at a farm in Potter Valley, Calif.
In this photo from Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Jim Hill shows the roots of a cloned marijuana plant he grows for medical purposes at a farm in Potter Valley, Calif.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
In this May 13, 2009 photo, Jim Hill looks over the marijuana he grows for medical purposes at his farm in Potter Valley, Calif.
In this May 13, 2009 photo, Jim Hill looks over the marijuana he grows for medical purposes at his farm in Potter Valley, Calif.   (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
The bud of a marijuana plant grown by George and Jean Hanamoto is seen at their home in the Mendocino County community of Willits, Calif., Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
The bud of a marijuana plant grown by George and Jean Hanamoto is seen at their home in the Mendocino County community of Willits, Calif., Wednesday, May 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
lindamae
Jul 21, 2009 7:19 AM CDT
We forget that it was George Soros who first started the fight to legalize marijuana in CA. I've always wondered what was in it for him when I first read about it more than 10 years ago. Since then, I have read his writings and view anything his pushes with great fear. The man wants to destroy American. He admits it in his books.
Mad
Jul 20, 2009 12:04 PM CDT
Let My People GROW!
The_Pinkston
Jul 20, 2009 6:44 AM CDT
Im all for legalizing it. More money for us and less for the powerful Mexican drug cartels. Weed is much less dangerous than alcohol.
US • Health • Money

 
California • medical marijuana • marijuana • marijuana legalization • marijuana distribution

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