Demand for legal marijuana in Illinois would far exceed licensed growers' ability to supply it

[TexasTowelie]

Demand for legal marijuana in Illinois would far exceed licensed growers' ability to supply it, a new study shows


Legal recreational marijuana in Illinois could drive demand as high as 550,000 pounds a year, far more than the state’s licensed growers can supply, according to a new study commissioned by state legislators.

The study, performed by the Colorado consulting firm Freedman & Koski, lends support to those who argue that Illinois’ fledgling marijuana industry should expand and diversify, allowing the participation of more black and Latino entrepreneurs — people whose communities have disproportionately suffered during America’s war on drugs.

“We have a whole industry that’s treating it like the gold rush, but you have generations of folks who are still living with all the impacts of what the criminal justice system did to them,” said Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Chicago Heights. “It’s unfair to discuss this in any other way.”

The possibility of full marijuana legalization has stirred up a robust lobbying effort from many of the state’s 16 licensed growers, who have said that absent proof to the contrary, they believe they are capable of meeting demand. Their industry group, the Medical Cannabis Alliance of Illinois, has said adding more cultivators could lead to a marijuana glut that would encourage illegal diversion.

Read more: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-illinois-legalized-marijuana-study-20190228-story.html

[ZZenith]

1. Well, they're in luck!

We’ve got so much in Oregon we don’t know what to do with it:

https://www.wweek.com/potlander/2018/09/18/oregons-cannabis-industry-is-in-crisis-the-craft-cannabis-alliance-has-a-solution-let-other-states-buy-our-weed/

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yes, I heard that you had that "problem" out in Oregon.

However, I could make a big dent in the problem if I could get to Oregon because I'm a problem solver!

[ZZenith]

3. I never ever imagined our suppliers could outgrow demand here.

Out of the realm of possibility completely. Now everyone has sacks of it stuffed in the spare bedroom closets and you can hardly give it away.

Terrible problems we face here.

[beachbum bob]

4. obvious the state would have to issue more grower licenses, Illinois farmland grows great pot

as it is.

[beachbum bob]

5. btw, I suspect that when we do have legal recreational pot, individuals will be able to grow

their own under some restrictions, so the estimated number may be way off. We do know the 16 licensed growers will do all they can to limit the number of licenses and fight personal use growing to keep a monopoly on supply. Either way, it is coming to Illinois, hopefully in next few months

[safeinOhio]

6. The money in that business will not be in growing.

In our mixed economy, demand will ease as folks realize how easy it is to grow your own. The money will be for those that supply the little guys with lights, dirt and everything else used to grow it. Just like the Gold Rush of the late 1800s, the guys selling gold pans and other supplies, made the best living.

[beachbum bob]

7. majority of people are really too lazy, some will, most won't. The big growers will have a lock on

supply and will fight issuing more licenses. Human nature, the american way and basic greed.

[safeinOhio]

8. Greed extends to users as well growers.

In states like Michigan, Ca. and Ore. where it is legal, the black market prices are dropping like a rock. Even at the legal dispensaries the price is half what it was.
After I got my card I bought a $150 light and set up a little grow room and grew about 4 lbs that year. Doubt if I smoke more than and oz or 2 a year, so I ended up giving the rest to friends as gifts. I like variety too much and it got so cheap, plus friends took over their own growing and give me about all I can handle. So I haven't grown another crop yet.
I had no idea about what I was doing, did everything wrong and it turned out great.

Just too easy to do. I move to a new home, semi rural area and have found there are hundreds of personal growers in my area.

[ROB-ROX]

9. California Person

Because we can grow I have NOT bought anything in years. I think all states who have POT LAWS will have less drug problems if there is NO supply problems. Last year I grew 6 plants and I give away plenty to people who could not grow. I have not idea what the black market is doing, but I think the price would be LOW. The standards to sell weed are high in California, and I think this is good which protects the public.... HAPPY TRAILS