As state law enforcement played whack-a-mole with illegal marijuana fields, local communities protested the “invading army.” Driving through Humboldt County last winter, I heard radio ads for help harvesting and selling cannabis crops, as well as for products geared toward commercial cultivation. But less than 40 years ago, the same area was one of the […]
Black Market
California weighs steep new fines to combat illegal cannabis sellers
Alarmed that unlicensed cannabis sellers continue to dominate California’s pot market, state lawmakers are moving toward imposing steep new fines on businesses that provide building space, advertising platforms and other aid to illicit operations. Those who provide assistance to illegal pot sellers would face civil fines of up to $30,000 per day under legislation approved […]
California wants to hire more cannabis cops to get a handle on black market marijuana
California’s Bureau of Cannabis Control is looking to beef up its law enforcement presence. The bureau in a new state budget request is asking lawmakers to let it build an 87-member police force that would enforce the 2016 law voters passed legalizing recreational cannabis. It’d create the law enforcement branch by absorbing 58 positions from […]
How Federal Marijuana Policy Is Pushing Veterans into the Black Market
A California group is fighting to end a federal prohibition that makes it impossible for veterans to get cannabis through the VA. Alex is 34 and lives outside of Sacramento. Like many Californians, he vapes marijuana concentrate for a variety of health problems such as anxiety. But even though he lives within a half-hour drive […]
New York City Is Shut Down, But Its Black-Market Weed Is Booming
“There’s a morgue with refrigerated trucks down the street from me,” says one West Village customer. “If I could live in my bong right now, I’d do it” “There’s a morgue with refrigerated trucks down the street from me,” says one West Village customer. “If I could live in my bong right now, I’d do […]
