(NPR) Retired Humboldt County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Cobine says cultivating cannabis is now a big business in state forests and private timberlands.
This year, CAMP [Campaign Against Marijuana Planting] hauled in 4.5 million plants from around California. But Cobine admits that’s a tiny percentage of what’s really out there.
“We’re just keeping a lid on it so it doesn’t go crazy,” Cobine says.
Instead of burning the confiscated plants like they used to do, Sheriff’s Sgt. Wayne Hanson says they bury them in undisclosed locations.
“Basically, [a] marijuana plant’s 90 percent water,” he says. “So we dig a hole 10 feet down, throw a bunch of soil on it, and it’s basically destroyed then, just by the compression of the earth.”
As they haul off a truckload of confiscated plants, Hanson makes a somewhat surprising admission.
“Part of me wants marijuana legalized,” he says, “’cause it would take away the wealth and the greed and the violence.”
But he says it would have to be legalized in all of the U.S., not just California. “Cause if it gets legalized in California, you’d have all the riffraff coming to California to make money to sell to the other 49 states,” he says.
Does anyone else see the irony in clandestine growers digging up the earth to plant some cannabis, only to have sheriff’s deputies pull it up and dig up more earth to bury it?
We’ve reported previously about the futility of CAMP and other marijuana eradication programs. Retired Sheriff Cobine admits that 4.5 million plants is just a tiny percentage, which suggests to us there are hundreds of millions of cannabis plants being grown in California.
Imagine if they weren’t “keeping a lid on it”!
Not only are the authorities barely scratching the surface of California’s clandestine cannabis cultivation operations, but most of what they seize isn’t even meant for consumers or tended by humans; it’s 98%-99% “feral hemp”, a.k.a. “ditchweed”, the wild-growing cannabis with very low THC content. Plus, when they rip up the crops, they often transport them off of mountainsides by loading them into large open bundles that are dangled from a helicopter, with the downward-rushing air of the chopper blowing hemp seeds all over the landscape below. (Nothing like planting the seeds of your next season’s eradication campaign… talk about job security!)
Thus, as California struggles with a crippling budget crisis and makes cuts higher education, public health, and other programs, possibly for years to come, somehow the Golden State finds the money for fuel, maintenance, and operation of helicopters and overtime pay for police to pull weeds and dig holes. There’s $1.4 billion on the table in potential tax revenue from re-legalized cannabis, but California law enforcement would rather continue an eradication program that keeps illegal growers’ profits high, forces them farther into our public lands, motivates them to produce more potent cannabis, produces environmental damage and waste, burns through taxpayer money and rejects new tax revenue. In other words, while California tuitions rise and public services drop, California is spending taxpayer dollars to subsidize a program they readily admit has no chance at actually eradicating cannabis but will promote “wealth and greed and violence”.
Sheriff Hanson, the part of you that wants to see marijuana legalized is called the neo-cortex. It’s that part of the brain that processes rational thought.
However, sheriff, you’ve got it backwards on re-legalization. Marijuana prohibition was enacted state-by-state and it will be repealed state-by-state. The federal government is moving much slower than the states on the issue. When California re-legalizes, the benefits they reap in tax revenues, new industry*, new jobs, reduced crime, criminal justice savings, and tourism will quickly spur neighboring states into following their lead. If there is an interim period when California is the only source of legal marijuana in the US, at least the “riffraff” will be rushing in to purchase legal and taxed California marijuana, keeping the dollars in the US economy, rather than benefiting the Mexican drug gangs.
*Lest we forget, legalized marijuana automatically means legalized hemp and the huge benefits of that industry.
Law Enforcement won’t change their opinions, because their field and the prison industry are the ONLY two industries that would lose money & jobs if marijuana is legalized– of COURSE they would oppose it.
How ironic that they talk about pot smokers as “greedy” and “lazy” “lowlifes” who “just want to sit around and smoke pot” all day, when they are just fascist douche bags who want nothing more than the power to arrest innocent people.
There was a study not that long ago showing the average low enforcement officer has an IQ of 90.
That thing in Harold & Kumar– where he talks about the cop being the big bully who never left town so he pushes around anyone he wants to… that’s true.
Why else do small towns (like my own) need FORTY police officers with NEW CARS & TOYS EVERY YEAR when the only crimes in town are possession of marijuana and speeding.
“average law enforcement”, not “low enforcement” Freudian much? LOL 🙂
I never really thought about how they are just moving hemp and spreading its seed… What a complete waste of resources…
LOVED that last part…..HEMP industry baby!!
Ya know those gay commercials that are all like ” if you smoke pot U are helping Terrorists.”
***BULL to the Sh!t, man******
youtube “Peter Dale Scott–Oil,Drugs, and the future of Afghanistan”…….
Those commercials outta sound more like ” If you drive a car fueled by Gasoline, you are helping terrorists!”
HEMP fuel—MY anti-Oil Addiction
But, seriously, folks. That Peter D. Scott guy connects some SERIOUSLY spooky “dots” between the Drug trade trends and Oil supply trends.
P.S. And can someone please load a bowl on their comment;…my ear-Ache is killin me!!!
Very well written Russ. You have a way with words. Glad you’re on our side.
focus on its medical benifits
When they finally admit the complete failure to achieve
even slowing down marijuana,the end of the tunnel is ahead. And the sheriff is correct in assuming that the first state to legalize will increase their population somewhat,but that doesn’t make them “riff raff”,as some of the most accomplished people in our society are marijuana users. And it doesn’t matter which state legalizes first,it will probably cause one of the largest movements of people from many states too one since the gold rush too California.
When will there be an update on the senate hearing? but at least this sheriff is thinking
How do we go about un-brainwashing America? All of this just seems to be commonsense, so how do we get the American public, who are still blinded by reefer madness, to accept the facts and the honest truth?
Well, at least this Sheriff has his head on. It is not often we hear such lucid ideas coming from Law Enforcement with regards to Marijuana. Just legalize it already. Enough with these intermediary steps.
I agree with the Sheriff that the whole US would have to legalize. If it was only Cali it would be like the Gold Rush all over again.
And slowly, ever so slowly the truth starts seeping through some of their thick skulls. He will shake it off soon though; truth is toxic to most of them.
Mmmmm, Humbolt county herb….. it’s been such a long long time but I still remember clearly your sticky sweetness!
I love it, I never thought about CAMP dropping seeds all over the fricken place either…That’s brilliant…way to go duh!?
What really pisses me of is that, not only are law enforcement resources wAiSteD – no pun,
You can have an entire field of hemp growing and it’s not like you’re gonna take a bong out in the middle of it and kick back and get high, it’s a different strain of the Plant. Hemp has many uses and could also create jobs and money in other areas, like PAPER, BOARD, TEXTILES, FUEL!, Never cut down another tree for paper, wouldn’t that be awesome?
I’m a little bit confused about the link to the claim that 98% of the seized cannabis is ditchweed. The link seems to point right back to this post. Is there an actual reference for that claim?
[Russ responds: Sorry about that, I messed up the hyperlink. It’s fixed now and leads to http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7033 as I intended.]
Matt,
I think it’s unwise to apply that to ALL of law enforcement. Take Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) for example (their blog, Cops Say Legalize Drugs, is the link in my name): They want to legalize and regulate marijuana in addition to other drugs. It’s a very good position and some of these officers in LEAP who still work in law enforcement positions have their very jobs threatened because of what they believe.
I also really wish NORML and LEAP would talk more… there’s some great things we could accomplish with their help.
I was in Mendocino Municipal Court appealing a traffic ticket yesterday i recieved for doing 76 MPH in a 65 MPH zone . The two CHP ( California Highway Patrol ) officers that testified against me were very polite , curteous , extremely professional & their looks and clothes were clean .
Some of you are going to say ” what an assholx ” i am for saying that Police are good .
Matt # 1 = Can you show me statistics and facts to show how you came up with Law Enforcement officers having the average IQ of 90 ?
I am NOT a law enforcement officer nor have i ever been .
HAHAHAHA! Blowing the seeds from the bales to the ground below! THAT’S CLASSIC!!!! Too damn funny, and true, I’m sure!!!
The end of prohibition is near, people. We need to stay on top of the movement! Keep the word going, keep talking to everyone you know, and especially those you don’t!
There’s a strong vibe that the whole ballgame is about to turn, and soon!
WOOO HOOO!!!!
Thanks, Bear, for clarifying the point that not all law enforcement supports prohibition. Also, the first commenter, calling them “fascists and douche-bags” is the best way to perpetuate the status-quo. At Seattle Hempfest we have made huge inroads with local law enforcement, and several local cops have actually become our good friends and allies. So, we don’t glorify cops and we don’t ridicule cops – each and every one of them is a human being and an individual. We cannot afford to alienate those in law enforcement who are coming around to our way of thinking, and there are more cops on our side than you’d think. Us against them thinking is a MAJOR part of the paradigm that perpetuates the policies. As difficult as it is, there is no time to hate. We need peace and reconciliation. if you think me whimpy for taking that stand, so be it. We are winning and we need to prepare ourselves for victory. Peace is in our future, but only we can usher it in. Nothing worse than a bad cop, few better than a good one.
In other news this assholx met with , Mauricio Garzon at Oaksterdam University in Oakland , California last Saturday . Mr. Garzon absolutely surprized me with his
intelligence .
One of the most brilliant people i ever met .
He’s the Northern California Coordinator for the Inititive to tax and regulate Cannabis for our State for year 2010 .He told me we have 85% of the signatures neccessary to essentially legalize Cannabis by getting this on the ballot for year 2010 . It ain’t a done deal yet and we still need more volunteers to get the signatures to complete the initative measure .
Anyone willing to get signatures by circulating petitions in California should call 510 444 4710 X 308 or 415 948 5304 .
http://www.taxcannabis.org
facebook.com/taxcannabis twitter @ TaxCannabis
# Legalizeit
Oh cool, thanks Russ. 98% is a truly incredible number. That puts the seizure rate of cultivated, psychoactive plants way down to a fraction of a percentage point.
Bear– you are right. And I apologize for that, I am well aware of LEAP and the good they are doing. But in my opinion they are “the exception that proves the rule.”
Obviously generalizations are bad, and when one’s opponents seem so ready to do it it becomes extremely tempting to do the same.
Heres an Idea that I’m sure has been brought up but, needs repeating. Not only does prohibition waste money/lives, it also increases the cost of food. How? Ethanol. We use corn to make it so less supply on the market for food so prices increase. Also , people over seas that depend on US grain to survive may be dying of hungry because we are putting it in our gas tanks. If we converted to hemp based fuel, this would stop, immediately, and we would save , people wouldnt starve just so we can drive. Oh and we would stop feeding terrorists and cartels alike in money from cannabis and oil. We wouldnt stop all oil import but hemp based fuel would help.
I think most all humans suffer from some form of insanity, governments officials at the top of the list. With a little treatment and education, they can be healed….I hope :/
I am afraid that the assertion that law enforcement and private prison industry are the only ones that lose money when prohibition ends is wrong,by a long shot.
The pharmaceutical companies lose billions,who would buy a sleeping pill with death as a possible side effect when you could grow your sleep aid in your yard,for one.
The banking industry,because you don’t actually think the cartels are carrying all that money across our borders in suitcases do you? The banks are laundering that money and transferring it electronically.
The drug testing industry,because you can’t get a job without a drug screen now.
And all the anti-drug cartels,DARE,Drugfree America,etc,etc.
And others.
Whether its legalized or not. I still Vape Every Night and usually on the weekends. I don’t care weed is as ubiquitous as water sometimes.
It will be legalized in my life time GO CALIFORNIA GO
Excuse me, Mr. Sherriff, but I’m part of that “riffraff” to which you refer. You’d never guess by looking at me, you’d probably think I was just another middle-aged woman on her way to pick up a child from soccer practice or something. But yes, if you legalized it, I would be coming to your state with my vacation spending money.
So am I the riffraff you are so afraid will descend on your state?
………..I’m waiting , Matt .
” Marijuana is a business worth about $100 billion per year — about the same size as the beer business. Every time you see beer on sale in your community, remember that someone, somewhere in your town is selling the same amount of marijuana.
Like it or not, the business is there, and somebody will set the rules, make and sell the product, and get all that money. The difference with beer is that we know who runs the business, they pay taxes, and they follow rules, like age limits on purchases. At the current time, we don’t know who sells marijuana in the local communities, they don’t follow rules, and they don’t pay taxes. It is the same choice we had with beer in 1933 — Al Capone or Coors. We found out that we were a lot better off with Coors.
We will discover that the best rules are those that recognize the true size of the market and allow the great majority of it to be served by licensed, regulated, and taxed businesses. That was the only solution that worked with beer, and it is the only solution that will work with marijuana. Anything less just ships money to the bad guys in Mexico.
And it really isn’t a problem if it does become an open business. It is de facto legal in California right now — with hundreds of stores in Los Angeles — and the sky did not fall. Honest. ”
The above is a comment I copied from some other site.
One of the often brought up arguements against legalization of cannabis is that it needs to be studied more. I have compiled studies from all over the world and I post them from time to time. Here is a summary of a major study done in 2000 in the UK:
“Our conclusion is that the present law on cannabis produces more harm than it prevents. It is very expensive of the time and resources of the criminal justice system and especially of the police. It inevitably bears more heavily on young people in the streets of inner cities, who are also more likely to be from minority ethnic communities, and as such is inimical to police-community relations. It criminalizes large numbers of otherwise law-abiding, mainly young, people to the detriment of their futures. It has become a proxy for the control of public order; and it inhibits accurate education about the relative risks of different drugs including the risks of cannabis itself.”
Source: Police Foundation of the United Kingdom, “Drugs and the Law: Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971”, April 4, 2000. The Police Foundation, based in London, England, is a nonprofit organization presided over by Charles, Crown Prince of Wales, which promotes research, debate and publication to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policing in the UK.
Here is another study from 1998, there are hundreds of studies done so don’t believe the lies.
When examining the health affects of marijuana use, the National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse concluded, “A careful search of the literature and testimony of the nation’s health officials has not revealed a single human fatality in the United States proven to have resulted solely from ingestion of marihuana. Experiments with the drug in monkeys demonstrated that the dose required for overdose death was enormous and for all practical purposes unachievable by humans smoking marihuana. This is in marked contrast to other substances in common use, most notably alcohol and barbiturate sleeping pills. The WHO reached the same conclusion in 1995.
Source: Shafer, Raymond P., et al, Marihuana: A Signal of Misunderstanding, Ch. III, (Washington DC: National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, 1972); Hall, W., Room, R. & Bondy, S., WHO Project on Health Implications of Cannabis Use: A Comparative Appraisal of the Health and Psychological Consequences of Alcohol, Cannabis, Nicotine and Opiate Use, August 28, 1995, (Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, March 1998).
The problem with legalized hemp production is the same as with legalizing or creating a market for any other product or service. It takes away from other industries already providing that service or product (in this case, synthetic fibers and other natural plant fibers) which means more jobs will be lost than created.
That in mind, legal marijuana does not necessarily mean legal hemp.
As the tide of truth rolls through the hills of California even Law enforcement sees the error of their ways. If California or any state re-legalizes cannabis it will take the leading role in the commercial and industrial businesses of cannabis. To say they would profit is the understatement of the decade. How many jobs do you think it would produce? How much income tax, sales tax, Business license fees etc. would it generate. I’m not sure the state of California can afford not to repeal the prohibition of cannabis. It would surely be a modern day gold rush. Can you imagine all of the cars in California running on hemp seed oil instead of petroleum based fuels? How much oil would California not need to import? I keep thinking of all of the very cool new inventions that come out of that state and wonder how many new hemp based products they would develop.
This reminds me of recent conversations and debates I’ve had with two people associated with prohibition. One, an executive for a drug testing company. The other, a Federal employee who engages in drug enforcement. Their consensus? Legalize it! Other drugs they do not wish to see legal, but cannabis they seem to understand that the laws are much more severe than the drug itself. Things are changing. It’s just hard to be patient.
Need more neo-cortex thinking. Legalize
We need the all the politicians to watch the movie City of God(in spanish with english subtitles.)
City of god synopsis: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/synopsis
And tell them that this story would not be true if all drugs were legal.
And then vote on a bill that would legalize all drugs. / just grass.
Here ya go folks. Make one of these and help over gro big bro.
On January 15, 2003, Webster Alexander, 19, an Alabama teen was sentenced to 26 years in jail for small-time pot sales.
In 27 years maybe I will think about forgiving corrupt cops and their lackey judge pals, in the meantime I will find them vial, repulsive and un-American for their crimes against our citizens.
25 – He was not referring to consumers, but suppliers in his statement. He’s clearly concerned with the “border bootlegging” that was seen once a upon a time in places like Canada. Most would surely call the types willing to smuggle from a legal area to once where it is illegal “riff-raff.” Opportunists mostly by trade and upbringing, etc. were the main types then and in many cases the same now. Too much risk for most sane people to accept. What you are left with is not a bad description of the types who will engage in this practice.
His concern is valid yet it is out of context on the whole with the problems of a single state moving forward with this idea. The bordering states will decidedly have to deal with the problem of a smuggler culture blooming overnight. Just like we have on our national borders at this time.
In time however, the other states would have to falter on their efforts else cripple commerce and travel between states. Nevada is already nearly dicrim and has pushed for a full legalized item before in recent memory. They would comply quickly with becoming part of the fold. Oregon has medical in full swing already. Easy transition there as well considering. Arizona would be the stickier one. Currently that state is so confused on how to treat its own border and drug policy in contrast with the majority that it simply boggles the mind how those laws stay in place. I’m sure they’d come around but the fireworks would be strongest there.
While I think he’s misguided due to his experiences as he has had to deal with all that “riff-raff” our society produces, he’s not entirely off base. He’s like most people who have chosen to serve the public and is honestly concerned about the potential negative impact it “could” have. Considering his only reservation is based on a criminal element focus and not “it will destroy our kids and the very fabric of society as we know it!” I’d have to say he’s on track in the supporter department.
Law enforcement types only deal with criminality. That is going to be their focus. Same as how doctors only deal with the disease aspect of the human condition in most cases. Their focus is going to be on other impacts. Social workers… See a pattern on adjusted perception here yet? I just see us picking a little too hard perhaps on his lack of outright support based on his view of the world being so tarnished. Perhaps we can find more productive ways to persuade him than bashing his singular comment against supporting the legalization concept.
It’s just one big government (excuse my language) circle-jerk. They keep saying the same things over and over every time the issue of marijuana brings it up. They just change the way they say it. The only thing thats gonna make a difference is how much action the people take to let the government know that we don’t approve.
The “new industry” won’t just be that associated with Hemp. . .
You’ll have ENTIRELY new industries, that have never existed before, following the legalization of Recreational Cannabis – the growers (who will need seasonal workers), transporters (lots of new trucking jobs), processors, equipment manufacturing, packagers, wholesalers, retailers. . . thousands (perhaps hundreds of thousands) of brand-spankety-new jobs that are so desperately needed. These brand new businesses and employees will be paying taxes too – so the net benefit isn’t *just* the estimated $1.4B in taxes on the sales of legalized, regulated Recreational Cannabis – it also included the business taxes and payroll taxes, the income taxes (however illegal) of the workers, the sales taxes on the other products and services that these newly-employed workers will then be able to afford. . . which could cause other industries to have to expand again, hiring new workers, etc. Legalized, regulated, and taxed Recreational Cannabis could quite possibly jumpstart the entire economy. . .
What sane ‘riffraff’ would travel to Cali to buy legal pot at a 50% markup and then try to sell it at a profit? The probable taxing of this substance would make this kind of business model a huge money loser. Especially when there is seller just down the street that is untaxed and uncontrolled.
Enlight of this the sheriffs fears are irrational in the least.
to 40
Your assuming prices would remain where they are. The stuff is a weed, and could be rapidly and cheaply produced. It’s current value is high because of it’s illegal status and the risks involved for those in the industry.
To rid the illegal dealing/distribution would require a point in cost where users not only had the desire to LEGALLY purchase it, but where the pricing of this commodity removed the incentives for illegal distribution/purchase.
After all, take the money out of the criminal activity of sales… and people would willingly pay their taxes and follow the American dream of the pursuit of happiness. Keep prices high, and they go where it’s convenient.
No Offense, but FUCK you Glider# 30. Who cares if synthetics go out of Business. They are harmful both to people(long-term) and the environment(short&long-term). I hope you are not afraid of making a GOOD transition from OIL-based products driven markdet; into a more Hemp-based society….or maybe you are in favor of de-forestation, air-pollution, and plastics that take FOREVER to bio-degade.???
to #18, well spoken miss vivian!
BINGO!!!!!
Right!!!legalizing cannabis does legalize hemp…and
…there’s one of your biggest Obstructionists. They can’t have hemp competing in a synthetic world.
I wonder if Hanson is proud of working so hard to keep putting money in the pockets of Mexican drug cartels and violent gangs. Or maybe it was keeping drugs illegal and therefore unregulated and readily available to our children. Or possibly he just enjoyed violating God’s will for people to live in freedom with liberty as acknowledged and cited in the Constitution of the United States. Hanson took the King’s coin and therefore sang the King’s song and danced the King’s dance. The sum total of his efforts were at best a bad, counter productive joke.
#1 Matt,I know what you mean,I live in a town with 700 people ,we have 2 full time city police and a county deputy sherrif here. Overkill to the max.
NORML should continue to pressure the Obama administration concerning the repeal of prohibition. Why is Norml failing to report on the recent comments made by the President.
Yesterday ,i got more news about the signatures needed regarding the initiative to legalize Cannabis or at least put it on the ballot for the Cali. 2010 election as told by , Ken Masterson whose the Chief coordinator for this initiative for The State of Cali.
( ” Cali. ” that’s a good one & now you even got me saying it ) .
More to follow on another post
Last year’s most potent and mind-damaging, ultra-powerful new strain of weed?…”Kush”. This year’s most powerful, mind-damaging stain?….”Chronic”!!! Can somebody tell me where these assholes get their material? It was on 60 minutes or 20/20 or 48 hours (one of those silly-assed panic-inducing shows) this week. I damn near threw something at the tv, and was chided for espousing my “druggie-knowledge” by my mother. WTF? Sorry if I know when I am being lied to. Sorry if the thought of a nationally-syndicated show LYING TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC REPULSES AND ANGERS ME!!!!
How many times will we see shows using common public colloquialisms to try to convince us that we are smoking weed that is more “dangerous” than the weed our parents smoked???? I remember back when the term used to do it was “Hydro”. At the time I thought, “didn’t we have some of that last week?” and then “Isn’t hydro” just a reference to pot grown “hydroponically”? As “chronic” is simply a slang word for “really f***ing good weed”, and “Kush” while being an actual distinct strain, has also been a really over-used buzz-word meant to encourage consumers to pay more for the same…
It amuses and saddens me that people are so easily manipulated…
-Oz
#48, I too was alarmed at the Presidents attack on that college student for his asking about cannabis legalization but NORML has never passed over a relative story, I believe they investigate all the details before arbitrarily writing about a subject and I am satisfied that NORML gathers all the facts beforehand.
Some of you guys made a point of saying that “big pharma” and other industries would lose money if marijuana was legalized, there might be some truth to that but I have a feeling they’d find a way to get their piece of the pie.
All the video’s I’ve seen where this has been “debated” nationally seem to point out that there is no conspiracy keeping marijuana illegal, only inertia. Whether or not that’s true, our opponents certainly have been at a loss with how up in arms we have been for the last year.
My thought of the day is this: they say marijuana is “bad”, and by extension of making its possession/use “criminal” so too are we “bad”.
Yet here we are, thousands of us (tens of thousands even), standing tall, open and “out of the closet” about our recreational drug of choice saying, “okay, we’re here out in the open, posing no threat we want to talk about how we can live in peace” and all we get back is prohibitionist rhetoric about how it’s bad for the kids…
You have to always remember that Law Enforcment is not the ones who make laws they just enforce them. If you are going to effect the laws that are enforced you need to channel your thoughts and words towards those that make the laws. The police only enforce the laws and they cant say they will not enforce certain laws with out getting reemed out by their boss lol. You need to contact the people that you elected into office and tell them that they will be voted out of their cushy job of serving the publics best intrestes. The other side of the coin. If Marijuana is leaglized the prices and therefore taxes are not going to be as much as they think. The price is very high now because the product is illegal and the risk of getting caught is factored into the price. Once the product is legal then you must be as business minded as ever. Product shall cost what ever it takes to make it (time, electricity, water, fertilizer, rent, man-hours or work, and then factor in your mark up) and the one who makes it for the least for the best product will be the one that supplies it to the masses. It is better known as business. Sorry if I have taken up your time and space with out saying anything new but you got to remember.
1) they are doing a job that even you didnt want to do.
2)Price of product will go down when it is legal for you to grow your own
(now getting off of soap box and bow) Have a nice day but be carefull