I live where Cannabis is completely legal and towns decide whether to approve or deny retail locations. In my view the benefits of legalization have mostly to do with counteracting the various downsides of enforcing laws that prohibit it. E.g. arresting people, harassing people, and creating a taboo-mystique that makes and keeps young people interested.
What I don't see is any significant change in the way marijuana is perceived among adults. Few people will judge you harshly if you are a marijuana user, but it's not like people are now passing around joints at parties. In my group of friends I know a mom who is a bedtime stoner and a dad who eats a gummy most weekend days. I have a stash that I usually only break out when people are visiting from out of state - one $60 trip to the weed store easily lasts me a year.
The 'new market' for marijuana is basically about regular users, people who desire and can tolerate marijuana on a daily basis. The product in the recreational shops is all about highest-potency, maximum-impact and that's what is driving the retail side of things. I don't see the market growing, in fact I think it's a race to the bottom as supply greatly exceeds demand.
I used to think that over time marijuana would just wind up behind the counter at the gas station, but I now think it's most likely to remain roped off the way some US states only let special, single-purpose stores sell spirits.
What I don't see is any significant change in the way marijuana is perceived among adults. Few people will judge you harshly if you are a marijuana user, but it's not like people are now passing around joints at parties. In my group of friends I know a mom who is a bedtime stoner and a dad who eats a gummy most weekend days. I have a stash that I usually only break out when people are visiting from out of state - one $60 trip to the weed store easily lasts me a year.
The 'new market' for marijuana is basically about regular users, people who desire and can tolerate marijuana on a daily basis. The product in the recreational shops is all about highest-potency, maximum-impact and that's what is driving the retail side of things. I don't see the market growing, in fact I think it's a race to the bottom as supply greatly exceeds demand.
I used to think that over time marijuana would just wind up behind the counter at the gas station, but I now think it's most likely to remain roped off the way some US states only let special, single-purpose stores sell spirits.