[DBrow]

I'm not sure that legalization/taxation would make everyone happy.

You'd go from DEA enforcement to BATFE enforcement under the Treasury department.

While cannabis products would fill several shelves at Wal-Mart, there would be harsh penalties for scofflaw bootlegger homegrowers who tried to dodge the tax (and cut into retailers profits).

Look into fines for operating an illegal alcohol distillery in the USA for examples.

Would legalization be profitable overall? You bet! That after all is what the Opium Wars were all about, dope profits.

The clip you quoted has Canadian pot farms operating at 72% ARR, but that's without liability, insurance, health care for the labor, taxes, pensions, disability insurance, or standards compliance. Any "under the table" operation will show high returns or there would be no incentive to go "under the table", one reason why bootleg bourbon is much cheaper than storebought bourbon (plus the lack of aging).

[davesdude]

"While cannabis products would fill several shelves at Wal-Mart, there would be harsh penalties for scofflaw bootlegger homegrowers who tried to dodge the tax (and cut into retailers profits)."

i hope the wal mart thing was only for us to have a lil laugh!