California is considering legislation that would put pot essentially in the same category of alcohol, legalizing the sale of weed to anybody at any time, not just for medicinal reasons. Research indicates that if marijuana goes fully legit, an ounce of the choicest bud could cost just $38, down from the current rates that range from $300 to $450. It’s unclear how much the decrease in cost could result in a rise in consumption, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think the number of people smoking pot in California would more than double. And, if the change occurs, there is also expected to be a rise of “marijuana tourism,” with visitors making pilgrimages to the Golden State on quests for weed that’s not only cheap, but legal.
All of those spreadsheets, business models, and marketing ideas you’ve been poring over in your parent’s basement—perhaps between video games and bong hits—may have been a waste of time.
