Medical vs Recreational Cannabis

This recreational measure from Oregon and this one from California demonstrate fairly clearly why recreational cannabis is better than medical cannabis — not product wise, but commercially. Medical states have operated under scrutiny since California was the first state to do it back in 1994. The cannabis entrepreneurs have some protection, and can mostly operate like normal, but they are not as free to grow or manufacture as you would think. The business and manufacturing side is still mostly forced underground, even if they have a brick and mortar dispensary.

Once Colorado and Washington went recreationally legal, they were then able to open up factories to produce waxes and oils. Plants are grown freely, and as they mature, they produce more cannabis. These things are driving down prices. A gram of high-quality Colorado wax costs $20. I was paying $60 for a half gram in California. It’s good stuff, but expensive. This is due to the difference between being just medically legal (as it is in California) and recreationally legal — the ability for it to be operated and regulated just like any other industry.

Flower is a little different. The prices are coming down drastically in recreational states. An ounce in Washington is going for about $125. In Colorado, it’s $200, while topping in at $300 in California. As production increases, prices come down. It’s simple economics. I know about some $60 ounces in an illegal state, and this isn’t any swag/corn, either!

Also, the quality of all the products are higher in recreationally legal states, and you can get them with a medical license tax free. Even as a Texas veteran, I went to Colorado, and many dispensaries would take tax off my purchase. That was their way of giving me a taste of what it would be like to be medical in their state. It was nice. Big shout out to Highland Health for being the first one to do it.

Money is a big part of this whole deal, too. None of the industry is currently allowed to put money in the bank or take out business loans. Imagine how much that would change the game if they could? In order for that to happen, it would have to be moved from Schedule 1 to something lower, or deschedulized altogether. I am hoping for the latter. Alcohol has “no medical value and high chance for abuse,” but we are not making it illegal again. Further repeal of prohibition just makes sense. Read more about it in The Cartel and the Drug War.

I am excited and hopeful for the day that Texas chooses to go medical, but I will be even more pumped when it finally goes full-blown recreational. I know about some $60 ounces in an illegal state, and this isn’t any swag/corn, either! No sir. It’s some two-hitter quitter, even for cannabis pros. Texas is home of the Aggies. I am excited to see what happens.

I am also excited to see what else will come with more recreational states coming on board. Not only will their be more freedom as the walls of prohibition continue to crumble, but more inventions and other things will come to light. It’s truly an exciting time to be alive, especially if you believe in the medical and commercial uses for cannabis and hemp. If not, thanks for reading this article. Hopefully one day we will convince you.