Double dealing: Legal, illicit blur in California pot market
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — As California enters its fifth year of broad legal marijuana sales, industry insiders say the practice of working simultaneously in the legal and illicit markets is all too commonplace in the struggling pot economy. Legal businesses have long complained that heavy taxes and regulation — paired with thriving illegal sales — make it impossible for licensed shops to turn a profit. To survive, an increasing number of license holders are secretly operating in the underground — working both sides of the marketplace to make ends meet. Leading companies recently warned Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom the legal market could collapse. Newsom says he’s open to changes.
Remember back when they pushed for legalization? Looking back I wonder how much money the cartel’s kicked in?
I wonder how much the Mob kicked in during the push to end alcohol prohibition.
Yes, and the Mob is making a killing with the illegal alcohol trade to this day.