December, 9, 2019
Dear editor;
Contrary to what Big Marijuana wants us to believe, State lawmakers were warned that legal weed would flood Illinois with black market activity. California is now the perfect example.
California is considered the largest cannabis market in the world. Its total estimated marijuana sales revenue will be near $12 Billion for 2019.
But here’s the kicker: CNN reports that the black market is credited with $8.7 Billion of that $12 Billion (73%). Yes, the black market is more than thriving and threatening to bury a quasi-legitimate (sic) industry.
If it wasn’t so serious, it would be laughable. But it is no laughing matter.
The black market doesn’t pay taxes, follow regulations, pay minimum wage, licenses fees, or insurance premiums. The result is cheaper weed, which is what users want.
But with black market activity comes other serious problems, one being much more marijuana than they’re able to regulate and control. Our communities will be flooded with legal and black market weed. Colorado law enforcement says they do more black-market marijuana busts post legalization.
Furthermore, it’s now called medicine. As a result, the perception of risk goes down while use goes up. What child thinks medicine will hurt them?
Major problems are right around the corner beginning with more drugs freely available to our children.
Kathy Valente, director of operations, Illinois Family Institute