would be difficult to tell. Thanks to some data analysis compiled by The Sacramento Bee, we can clearly see how local regulations have shaped the pot landscape in the state as a whole and how it is affecting people who live in more remote areas of California.

The report defined some regions of California as being “pot deserts” – areas where residents have to travel 60 miles or more to access legal marijuana at a licensed dispensary. An additional 29 percent have to drive 30 to 60 miles to the closest location. This disparity in cannabis access stems from the clause in Proposition 64 that allows local governments to establish their own set of recreational marijuana regulations or to ban sales altogether. While a majority of residents in the state clearly favor adult-use marijuana based on the 2016 vote, there is seemingly a desire among many districts to leave the actual growing, producing, and selling of the drug to other cities … cities far away from their own.From our years of experience, our Riverside recreational marijuana attorneys can say with certainty that much of this sentiment is rooted in outdated, outmoded, propaganda-riddled perspectives on marijuana. There’s a paranoia that expanding marijuana legalization in their towns will invite sketchy characters and create a seedy underbelly in their idyllic neighborhoods. Alas, by pumping the brakes on progress, they could be inviting the very thing they were afraid of right into their hometowns. Demand for marijuana, both medical and commercial, is increasing statewide as people learn more about it. By not providing a legal, regulated outlet for these people to access, local governments are making their communities vulnerable to black market sellers who very much still have a foothold in the state. The big cities are filling up with plenty of legal options for consumers to choose from, which could drive black market sellers to take advantage of these under-served pot deserts.

State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) recently introduced bill SB 1302 to try to allow delivery services to bring cannabis to these areas, giving a more practical option for patients who depend on medical marijuana as well as adult recreational users. The bill if passed into law would “prohibit a local jurisdiction from preventing delivery of cannabis or cannabis products on public roads, or to an address that is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of that local jurisdiction” so long as those involved in the delivery were in compliance with the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act. Push-back from local governments is imminent, as well as overcoming the challenge of an extreme shortage of state-licensed delivery operations.

Our lawyers know the keystone to marijuana legalization is safe, affordable, and easy access to regulated cannabis. Any roadblocks give black market sellers room to grow, making it more difficult for licensed businesses to stay competitive. We hope state and local officials can quickly come to a compromise that allows cities to retain control, but also connects all of the voters of California with the marijuana they helped legalize. Perhaps in the process, those who are still in the dark about the benefits of marijuana will learn it’s not so bad after all.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

How Local Control is Creating Access Deserts in California, April 7, 2018, By Greg Zeman, Cannabis Now

More Blog Entries:

City-Level Marijuana Laws: Making Us Safer or Blocking Access?, March 13, 2017, Cannabis Law Group

However, it seems that legalization may not be bringing in as much tax revenue as expected – and that’s because the increased availability has driven down costs. Vox.com reports new data from the Colorado Department of Revenue shows that the wholesale price of cannabis has fallen 22 percent since recreational sales first started three years ago. It’s now at about $1,470 from $1,880. That’s a stark change from what we saw immediately after legalization, when prices soared to $2,865 per pound when there was a short supply and high demand. Prior to legalization, the wholesale price of marijuana could reach as high as $5,000 per pound.

Speculation is that these prices aren’t done falling. Drug policy experts say once mass production really kicks into high gear, the price per pound could reach somewhere between $30 or $45. That’s because even in Colorado, there has to be some consideration of the fact that the drug is still illegal for recreational purposes in most other places in the country. This drives marijuana tourism in Colorado, which will likely drop off if and when the drug becomes more readily available in other states.

This price drop wasn’t exactly a surprise. Some have even argued that ultimately, marijuana shouldn’t cost anymore than a bag of tea because, after all, both are really just plants. Of course, for consumers, this would be great news. However, there are other reasons why there might be cause for concern about this.

Part of the issue is the concern about lower generation of tax revenue. The majority of states that have legalized did so by taxing marijuana a set percentage. So for instance, if the wholesale price is $1,400 as opposed to $1,800, states are going to be generating less revenue. The only way a state would be able to make up for that would be to impose additional taxes. Some policy wonks have suggested taxing marijuana with a single, flat price per ounce.

But it’s not all bad news. When more consumers are able to legally access the drug, the black market will begin to crumble. That has so many benefits – not just from a taxation standpoint (less tax dollars needed on criminal prosecutions), but it also bolsters public safety. Marijuana has long been a cash cow for drug cartels. Legalizing the drug pulls the rug out from underneath them. Some analysts believe exports of marijuana used to comprise about 30 percent of all drug export revenue. That means we could be reducing their profits by a third. These are the same organizations that not only exact violence among those within criminal gangs, but are also involved in human trafficking and other endeavors. These gangs probably won’t be wiped out completely with marijuana legalization, but they can it does serve to weaken their position.

The bottom line is there are pros and cons to the reduction of price of marijuana. Navigating these waters and balancing these interests will be a challenge for advocates and policymakers in years to come.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Colorado’s marijuana legalization experiment is making pot a lot cheaper, Jan. 18, 2017, By German Lopez, Vox.com

More Blog Entries:

Medical Marijuana Access in Florida Limited, For Now, Jan. 19, 2017, L.A. Marijuana Lawyers