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 ...
Why the delay? It hasn't happened in the 20 years since CA first put medical mj into effect, followed by numerous other states.
“Please explain how you came to this conclusion.”
That came from a study of the reasons listed for prescribing medical marijuana in 2015, not yet published but I suspect it is consistent with most people’s experience. Less than 6% of patients were listed with conditions supported by peer-reviewed research. Nearly 15% were conditions for which current research is in progress to determine if marijuana helps. Mostly, it’s people who want to get high and will pay a doctor to write a prescription for their recreational drug of choice.
Conditions for which research suggests pot may help:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Anorexia due to HIV/AIDS
Chronic pain
Crohn’s disease
Epilepsy or seizures
Glaucoma, although the American Academy of Ophthalmology doesn’t recommend medical marijuana
Multiple sclerosis or severe muscle spasms
Nausea, vomiting or severe wasting associated with cancer treatment
Terminal illness
Tourette syndrome
How many people do you know who use “medical” pot? How many of those actually have one of those conditions?
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Note: I don’t think the federal government should be involved with drug laws. However, I think those laws should be enforced until they are repealed, if for no other reason that to provide pressure for repeal. I also strongly disapprove of the use of recreational drugs in any amount and of alcohol in excess.
Agreed. That is why I think it is a good time to scale back federal drug laws and move toward state regulation.
“Tax it...”
I disagree with you on that one. If it’s going to be decriminalized or legalized, might as well go all out like CA and NV and just allow adults to grow ‘x’ amount of plants for personal use and to share. Just keep the government out of it for personal recreational and medical use. It would be similar to people who brew their own beer or make wine at home for personal use.
Well played sir!
If it doesn't, there will be no gunplay.
Whoa...lighten up Francis.
I was simply making a joke based on stories of marijuana being grown illegally by cartels/gang members on private and public land. I dont give a crap what drugs or alcohol you consume as long as you’re not driving impaired.
Are you ok with drunks on the road?
My thoughts exactly.
LOL that’s funny...Like a gun free zone?
Thank you for that.
I personally know two people who use marijuana for medical reasons.
Both of them suffer from chronic pain due to orthopedic troubles. One of them became addicted to opiate pain relievers and the other is not able to tolerate them due to the nasty side effects. Marijuana makes life livable for both of them.
If it doesn't, there will be no gunplay.
LOL that’s funny...Like a gun free zone?
Isn't that what you just said ... or are you claiming that California gun law strives to maintain a fine balance between allowing business owners to fire back while preventing them from winning the battle?
Anyway, we don't have to speculate - as Ken H pointed out to you in post #58, CA has had medical marijuana for 20 years and there is no evidence for "countless" instances of pot-theft gunplay.
Regarding opiate pain medications, I suspect they are over-prescribed because of drug industry pressures and incentives. I am a very big fan of them for terminal illnesses with uncontrolled pain, where addiction and the rising threshold for effectiveness are not a factor, but I have seen too many temporary conditions where the cause of the pain goes away but the opiate does not.
On the other topic, most responsible people know relatively few of those who abuse “medical” marijuana, because we run in different social circles. To assume most users have a real need is to make the same mistake as liberals who do not know anyone who supports Trump and assume the entire country is like the people they know. [Again, I am squeamish about federal drug laws, and I am not supporting the existence of those laws. However, I want the laws we have enforced or repealed, not ignored.]
How did you access this unpublished study - is a preprint available online?
I also strongly disapprove of the use of recreational drugs in any amount and of alcohol in excess.
It seems clear to me that alcohol is a recreational drug - so why the double standard? (And what do you mean by "excess"?)
Would your position be the same if these were gun confiscation laws? The 10th Amendment should be defended as strongly as the 2nd, IMO.
There is a difference between laws that fall outside the scope of enumerated federal powers and laws that directly contradict the Bill of Rights. Both are wrong, but one is much more wrong than the other. With at least a plausible “Commerce Clause” case for drug laws and no case at all for gun restrictions, I think my position is reasonable.
It will interesting to observe. The federal stance vs. State puts a lot of weight on the state. There are several comments regarding growers vs. Hijackers etc... on this thread which pointed out some of the hazards involved.
I liken it to cattle rustling, but the nature of this drug business and the dollars to be realized exponentially higher causing escalating ramifications and differing mutation tools and techniques.
20 years of medicinal product growing was at much smaller scale than this corporate agro farming concept. I predict a tempest of issues with crop and community safety.
False - laws that fall outside the scope of enumerated federal powers directly contradict the Tenth Amendment.
It will interesting to observe. The federal stance vs. State puts a lot of weight on the state. There are several comments regarding growers vs. Hijackers etc... on this thread which pointed out some of the hazards involved.
I liken it to cattle rustling, but the nature of this drug business and the dollars to be realized are exponentially higher causing escalating ramifications and differing mitigation tools and techniques.
20 years of medicinal product growing was at much smaller scale than this corporate agro farming concept. I predict a tempest of issues with crop and community safety.
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