[leapfrog0202]

Good heavens, what next?

I’d be more than a little afraid that the Mexican drug cartels would retaliate against me for stealing a good portion of their business. I’m afraid armed guards wouldn’t stand a good chance against the cartels.

[Ken H]

I’d be more than a little afraid that the Mexican drug cartels would retaliate against me for stealing a good portion of their business.

LOL!

CA medical marijuana dispensaries take in $1B/yr in sales, generating $100M in taxes for the state. CO's medical mj shops make $200M/yr in sales. Add in the numbers from the other 18 states and DC with the program. It's a thriving, multi-billion dollar industry and it's getting bigger.

So where are the cartels?

[PowderMonkey]

"I’d be more than a little afraid that the Mexican drug cartels would retaliate against me"br>

Illicit drug activity accounts for only a portion of the cartels' source of income. With legalization, they will make even more money, establishing storefronts and retail chains. As legit businessmen now, the cartels will move from trafficking drugs, to more profitable enterprises like extortion and political corruption. No more getting their hands dirty in grow operations or distribution. You do the leg work, the dirty work. They collect a portion of the payoff. Just give them a cut of your action, or your whole family will stop breathing.