Outlaw pot growers in California fear legalization
By The Associated Press
March 25, 2010, 7:16PM
REDWAY, Calif. -- The smell of pot hung heavy in the air as men with dreadlocks and gray beards contemplated a nightmarish possibility in this legendary region of outlaw marijuana growers: legal weed.
If California legalizes marijuana, they say, it will drive down the price of their crop and damage not just their livelihoods but the entire economy along the state's rugged northern coast.
"The legalization of marijuana will be the single most devastating economic event in the long boom-and-bust history of Northern California," said Anna Hamilton, 62, a Humboldt County radio host and musician who said her involvement with marijuana has mostly been limited to smoking it for the past 40 years.
Local residents are so worried that outlaw pot farmers came together with officials in Humboldt County for a standing-room-only meeting Tuesday night where civic leaders, activists and growers brainstormed ideas for dealing with the threat. Among the ideas: turning the vast pot gardens of Humboldt County into a destination for marijuana aficionados, with tours and tastings -- a sort of Napa Valley of pot.
Many were also enthusiastic about promoting the Humboldt brand of pot. Some discussed forming a cooperative that would enforce high standards for marijuana and stamp the county's finest weed with an official Humboldt seal of approval.
Pot growers are nervous because a measure that could make California the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational use will appear on the ballot in November. State officials certified Wednesday that the initiative got enough signatures.
The law, if approved, could have a profound effect on Humboldt County, which has long had a reputation for growing some of the world's best weed.
In recent years, law enforcement agents have seized millions of pot plants worth billions of dollars in Humboldt and neighboring counties. And that is believed to be only a fraction of the crop.
"We've lived with the name association for 30 or 40 years and considered it an embarrassment," said Mark Lovelace, a Humboldt County supervisor. But if legalization does happen, he said, the Humboldt County name becomes the region's single most important asset.
"It's laughable at this point to try to be hush-hush about it," he said.
Humboldt County's reputation as a marijuana mecca began in the 1970s. As pot users began to notice a decline in the quality of Mexican weed, refugees from San Francisco's Summer of Love who moved to the forested mountains along California's conveniently remote North Coast began figuring out better ways to grow their own. The Humboldt name soon became a selling point for marijuana sold on street corners across the country.
These days, the small towns in this region about five hours north of San Francisco are dotted with head shops and garden supply stores.
California is one of 14 states that allow people to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes, but recreational use remains illegal. (And will remain illegal under federal law, regardless of how California votes.)
For decades, the outlaws, rebels and aging hippies of Humboldt County have been hoping for legalization. But now that it appears at hand, many clandestine growers fear it will flood the market with cheap, corporate-grown weed and destroy their way of life.
About 20 pot growers gathered on a patio outside the meeting Tuesday to discuss the dilemma posed by legalized pot. Many wore baseball caps and jeans, just like farmers anywhere else in America. No one addressed anyone else by name, a local custom driven by fear of arrest, but that didn't stop some in the group from lighting up their crop.
Many complained that legalization would put them in the same bind as other small farmers struggling to compete against large-scale agribusinesses.
A dreadlocked younger grower who said he had already been to prison for marijuana objected that no one could replicate the quality of the region's weed. When he was a kid, he said, "Humboldt nuggets -- that was like the holy grail."
"Anyone can grow marijuana," he said. "But not everyone can grow the super-heavies, the holy bud."
Under the ballot measure, Californians could possess up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use. They could cultivate gardens up to 25 square feet, which is puny by Humboldt County standards. City and county governments would have the power to tax pot sales.
Some growers Tuesday fantasized about mobs of tourists in limos streaming to the county. Others were not thrilled with the idea of paying taxes on their crop.
Many agreed with the sentiment on a sticker plastered on a pizza joint's cash register: "Save Humboldt County -- keep pot illegal."
--The Associated Press
Quote from: Mother on March 27, 2010, 07:17:59 AM
A dreadlocked younger grower who said he had already been to prison for marijuana objected that no one could replicate the quality of the region's weed. When he was a kid, he said, "Humboldt nuggets -- that was like the holy grail."
"Anyone can grow marijuana," he said. "But not everyone can grow the super-heavies, the holy bud."
the super-heavies... [laugh]
Stoners [roll]
The Napa Valley of pot! [laugh] [thumbsup]
Haha, no wonder my roomie, who is from Humboldt, likes the place so much. :P
On a side note, I never realized how many of the online news sites steal each others' stories without giving credit.
wiat isnt weed legal in cali already? or are we talking about national legaization?
Quote from: He Man on March 27, 2010, 09:34:35 AM
wiat isnt weed legal in cali already? or are we talking about national legaization?
It's currently legal for medicinal purposes and has quite a few restrictions. This is general legalization in California.
They're freaking out as thought it's already passed. Napa Valley of Pot, ha. Is there a Napa Valley of Bacon somewhere?
so these people who are doing something completely illegal are worried about their way of life being ruined by becoming legit and having to pay taxes?
i think they are bad hippies.
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Isn't this what legalization advocates have been saying for years?
I think it's a sad day when hippie stoners are more concerned with profits and lifestyle than getting high without being hassled by the man.
I wish them all the best in their efforts to strike a balance between having boutique weed and not paying taxes, and avoiding being hassled by The Man.
Quote from: KnightofNi on March 27, 2010, 11:48:13 AM
so these people who are doing something completely illegal are worried about their way of life being ruined by becoming legit and having to pay taxes?
i think they are bad hippies.
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
it's not completely illegal in cali, though.
they're afraid of mass legalization and "corporate" growers coming in and wiping out their margins.
....the holy bud....
[laugh]
I can see this going south.
They had a similar thing going in South Australia (10 plants, personal use etc.) what ended up happening was the criminal gangs just ended up recruiting a stack of people that wouldn't normally be growing pot, so pretty easy to get a few hundred plants growing for them without too much trouble.
I like to think that legalizing it would result in a huge influx of tax dollars that (properly spent) could be of benefit overall. Just like booze tax.
That said, it would be great to be able to freely head to Cub Foods early on a Sunday morning to peruse the fresh bud of various qualities in the produce section for selection.
;)
frickin tools..
have my hash brownie and eat it too doesnt work
well from a sheer bootleg economics perspective
they could always move into Poppy cultivation...
I don't think opium or its derivatives will be legalized as deregulated substances anytime soon
Must resist.....Must resist
If a cargo plane full of agricultural products was on a conveyor belt.................. [laugh] they're already flying high [laugh]
If you've ever been to Humbolt you'd know that there is nothing else there. Pot is the whole economy. Without it the place would be Fesno. And the way its set up now it works. What these people are really afraid of is their own business ineptitude. Instead of whining they should be working on branding their product and positioning themselves for a legal pot market. There is a high end market for everything right down socks. Someone in this thread mentioned that Humbolt is the Napa Valley of Pot. Great marketing schtick!
Hey hippie, start adapting to capitalism or go by the wayside. Perhaps you'll get the inspiration you need the next time the munchies tell you to scarf down a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's. They were hippies that succeeded in the open market place. You can too! Remember your market and start thinking organic high end super bud. And be sure to package the same shit a dozen different ways to create the illusion of choice. We Americans love that shit. And for your lower end products maybe a Pot Points program where hippies send in proof of purchase for free zig-zags, Doritos and Bob Marley's Greatist "Hits". Be sure to cross market with other hippie companies and create products like Ben and Jerry's Humbolt High Pot Brownie Batter Icecream etc.
Hire a make the beast with two backsing Madison Ave marketing firm and quit your pregnant doging!
sac
Quote from: RAT900 on March 27, 2010, 10:36:34 PM
well from a sheer bootleg economics perspective
they could always move into Poppy cultivation...
I don't think opium or its derivatives will be legalized as deregulated substances anytime soon
You pretty much stole the words from my mouth.
The ones with an illegal enterprise will just move on to another illegal substance to keep their cash flow up.
I bet if this bill passes or whatever it is, you will see a huge spike in the Crystal Meth business in the PRK.
Kind of like the midwest........
people lose jobs, no income........start cooking up some Meth.
or
go with the old person mentality and sell your pain meds.
Good call Rat.
Quote from: SacDuc on March 28, 2010, 07:53:30 AM
Hey hippie, start adapting to capitalism or go by the wayside. Perhaps you'll get the inspiration you need the next time the munchies tell you to scarf down a couple of pints of Ben & Jerry's. They were hippies that succeeded in the open market place. You can too! Remember your market and start thinking organic high end super bud. And be sure to package the same shit a dozen different ways to create the illusion of choice. We Americans love that shit. And for your lower end products maybe a Pot Points program where hippies send in proof of purchase for free zig-zags, Doritos and Bob Marley's Greatist "Hits". Be sure to cross market with other hippie companies and create products like Ben and Jerry's Humbolt High Pot Brownie Batter Icecream etc.
Hire a make the beast with two backsing Madison Ave marketing firm and quit your pregnant doging!
Exactly! These morons could be rich if pot gets legalized. Rich I say!!
Quote from: Triple J on March 28, 2010, 09:08:28 AM
Exactly! These morons could be rich if pot gets legalized. Rich I say!!
They will be thoroughly eclipsed by the tobacco industry when it moves into cultivation and production
This is just a microcosm of a bigger play in the same arena....Consider that there are entire national economies in South America that would collapse if cocaine production were to cease. World Bank loans would go into default...some things are better left illegal probably for more bad reasons than good ones
Quote from: RAT900 on March 28, 2010, 09:17:32 AM
They will be thoroughly eclipsed by the tobacco industry when it moves into cultivation and production
This is just a microcosm of a bigger play in the same arena....Consider that there are entire national economies in South America that would collapse if cocaine production were to cease. World Bank loans would go into default...some things are better left illegal probably for more bad reasons than good ones
+1 I'm sure Big Tobacco has had plans in place and is paying the right people to make sure they will take it over.
Quote from: RAT900 on March 28, 2010, 09:17:32 AM
They will be thoroughly eclipsed by the tobacco industry when it moves into cultivation and production
Nah. Like was said earlier, they just have to position themselves correctly. Gallo hasn't put all winemakers out of business, Budweiser hasn't put all beer makers out of business, and Starbucks hasn't put all coffee shops out of business.
Quote from: Triple J on March 28, 2010, 12:43:55 PM
Nah. Like was said earlier, they just have to position themselves correctly. Gallo hasn't put all winemakers out of business, Budweiser hasn't put all beer makers out of business, and Starbucks hasn't put all coffee shops out of business.
well true...the Micro's are alive and well....and those guys work their asses off, as do the smaller vineyards....
somehow "insanely industrious" and "bud-blasted stoned" don't seem to go hand-in-hand :)
Quote from: RAT900 on March 28, 2010, 12:51:45 PM
somehow "insanely industrious" and "bud-blasted stoned" don't seem to go hand-in-hand :)
They cook meth on the side to keep themselves going for growing their bud.
It's the circle of drugs.
Quote from: RAT900 on March 28, 2010, 12:51:45 PM
somehow "insanely industrious" and "bud-blasted stoned" don't seem to go hand-in-hand :)
Could be a good point! [laugh]
You kids never would have survived the 60s. [roll]
Which kids are you talking about? ;D
Quote from: Dan on March 28, 2010, 02:14:55 PM
Which kids are you talking about? ;D
The ones that weren't there...
raggin' on the hippies :-*
Quote from: ducpainter on March 28, 2010, 02:10:16 PM
You kids never would have survived the 60s. [roll]
a 3 month high and then it will all make sense
They all seem a bit paranoid. Wonder why that might be.
Quote from: DCXCV on March 29, 2010, 07:29:17 AM
They all seem a bit paranoid. Wonder why that might be.
just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you. go ask all the mom and pop shops how they feel (felt) about walmart coming to town.
Quote from: derby on March 29, 2010, 10:45:57 AM
just because you're paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get you. go ask all the mom and pop shops how they feel (felt) about walmart coming to town.
A Noah's bagels tried to displace a mom and pop bagel shop in Palo Alto, and the Noah's ended up going away quietly after a few months. The mom and pop shop is still there after many years, very successful. [thumbsup]
http://www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com/ (http://www.izzysbrooklynbagels.com/)
incredible that the "outlaws" now have relationships with law-abiding citizens that serve the Counties and Cities where they grow the stuff for purposes other than medicinal use.
Quote from: muskrat on March 29, 2010, 12:31:52 PM
incredible that the "outlaws" now have relationships with law-abiding citizens that serve the Counties and Cities where they grow the stuff for purposes other than medicinal use.
No force of "law and order" in the world can successfully fight general social acceptance.