Posted on 05/11/2017 9:58:32 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
The grapevines that line rolling hillsides and sweeping valleys in Northern California’s wine country have become iconic – a symbol of the region’s rustic charm that helped California earn its reputation as a world-class wine and food destination.
But winegrapes have new competition: weed.
California’s legalization of recreational marijuana has led to the beginning of a major transformation of wine country. It’s been just seven months, but already investors are snapping up property where wine was once produced. Vineyard operators are developing expertise in cannabis cultivation. New, specialty marijuana businesses are sprouting up in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. And farmers who have long made a good living by growing and harvesting winegrapes are expressing interest in diversifying with marijuana.
“As a sustainable farmer, you have to be willing to change with the market, and with crops that are profitable,” said Steve Dutton, president of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau.
Farmers, outside investors and cannabis entrepreneurs see the landscape of California’s North Coast changing before their eyes. Their opportunities are particularly ripe in the fertile soils of rural Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties.
“I think that cannabis and wine have amazing potential for a symbiotic relationship, and the reason this region is used for that production is the soil and the air and the unbelievable ecological qualities that we have up here in Northern California that are unique to the world,” said Amanda Reiman, community manager for Flow Kana, which recently bought the flagship Fetzer Vineyards winery property where the label got its start.
Poseidon Asset Management, a San Francisco-based hedge fund specializing in cannabis, was the lead investor for the $3.5 million purchase.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
The CA Dems best hope: get everyone stoned so they don’t care they are living in a collapsing state.
Weed and wine makes for a good time
With or without prosecutions, I’d like to see DEA go in there, collect all the pot, and throw it in an incinerator. Recreational marijuana does not improve anyone’s life, and “medical” marijuana is only helpful to a small fraction of those who use it. I don’t like seeing people get rich by harming others, not if they are also violating federal law.
California gun laws aside...These MJ farms are probably going to require an army of security forces, sensors, cctv... and it is a sure cash money bet that there WILL be shoot outs.
I don’t want these stoned idiots on road.
Federal drug laws are another unconstitutional overreach by the feds.
“New, specialty marijuana businesses are sprouting up in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.”
Nothing “new” about it, been going on since the 60’s. Now it’s just out in the open.
Wines from Chile and Argentina have been available to U.S. consumers for quite awhile now and they are IMO as good as the wines from California vintners. Those countries have always had a robust drug trade of sorts which probably predates their vineyards. I wouldn’t worry too much about the economics.
So why hasn't that happened in CO and WA?
And this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1EdSe0ya_M
Cheech Chong Lost Due To Incompetence (Theme For A Big Green Van)
Sgt. Stedenko thanks you...
Agreed. The shootouts will happen in the National Parks where the cartels have taken up residence to grow crops.
“So why hasn’t that happened in CO and WA?”
I would postulate and submit that it is a
Cottage industry (CO&WA) vs mega-farms (CA).
So why not legalize it and let Archer Daniels Midland and Monsanto do it?
I agree with you, but the solution is to challenge those laws in court and get them overturned. This is the best time to get rid of drug laws: The Ctrl-Left is usually stoned, and decent Americans are ready to move back to a limited constitutional federal government.
Not only that, Marijuana businesses cannot use banks. Everything, including taxes, is paid in cash.
Don’t forget whites, the truckers friend
I ran into a small grower awhile back who said Big Tobacco is moving on this and the small players will be out of business in a few years. FWIW.
And if you give me weed, whites, and wine
Then you show me a sign
I’ll be willin’ to be movin’
"Smooth, fruity, with notes of oak and cinnamon. Pairs well with chocolate brownies."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.