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Thank You DEA: Marijuana and Economics

By anthonytaurus July 27, 2012 0

You know, I went to college for business administration.
One of the first courses you take to earn such a degree is economics, more specifically, Intro to Economics. In this class they show you this graph. One axis has the supply of some imaginary product. The other axis shows the demand for this imaginary product. Some lines are drawn to show supply intersecting with demand to determine price. For example, if a company produces too much product, they may want to lower the price of the product so that they can sell the product faster. It makes sense.

Now, let’s apply this simple principle to the marijuana market. When dispensaries were going up in California, prices for marijuana around the nation went up. Why? Simple. California is one of the major producers of marijuana in the United States. You could get high quality marijuana ANYWHERE in the United States. But, when the dispensaries went up, marijuana distribution stayed local, for the most part. Lots of growers took a pay cut because it was safer to deal locally to the dispensaries. They were out of the “criminal” side of the business. In other words, the nationwide supply went down causing prices to go up.

Fifty dollars could get you an 1/8th of an ounce of marijuana; that’s 3.5g.
Usually the bags were between 3.2g and 3.5g. It was acceptable. Meet up with the dealer, ask for a “50” and you knew what we were getting. When dispensaries blew up, the “50” was not comfortably nestled between 3.2g and 3.5g anymore. The weight DROPPED. The “50” came in at 2.8 and dropping. The quantity dropped to about 2g, that’s TWO grams. To add insult to injury, the quality of the marijuana wasn’t always great (always better than schwag, of course). See, the dispensaries would turn away marijuana that wasn’t up to their standards. So, what’s a grower to do with marijuana that may have had a spider mite infestation? Answer: Off to NYC. Of course, someone else would buy it. So, we went from paying about $14.29 per gram to $25 per gram of LOWER quality marijuana. *DOUBLE SLAP*

However, a few weeks ago, I picked up a half-ounce of marijuana for $170 [Reddit]. If you’re from NYC, you know $170 for a half-ounce is wonderful. IN most parts of the US, $170 for a half-ounce is great. Typically prices for a half-ounce is in the range of $200-$250. As I pay attention to the marijuana market, we can see why prices are dropping and dropping quickly. I’ll get into that in a second. Today, I get a call from my dealer telling me that he’s moving ounces for $300 for me, $350 for friends. I’m special. He always has the high quality stuff. I’ve picked up Jack Herer, Blackberry, Strawberry Cough, Grape Ape, OG Kush, Hindu Kush, Pink Kush, Kush Kush (just kidding), Top 44, C88, C99, Hempstar/Brainstorm, Sour Diesel (Rezdog), NYC Diesel (Soma) and the list goes on and on. I’ve never gotten an ounce from him for less than $375 to about $410 at the extreme. But, here I am getting an offer for $300/ounce.

THANK YOU DEA!!

As the DEA shuts down dispensary after dispensary in California, the growers are stuck with an ever growing supply of marijuana along with an ever growing supply of bills to pay. So, what’s a grower going to do with his huge supply of medical marijuana? Remember, supply and demand; where they meet is the price. Demand is steady but the supply is high. This means that prices are going to DROP. This is all directly the fault of the DEA. They pushed the dispensary out of business and put the grower between a rock and a mouth to feed. That’s not smart on the part of law enforcement but they were never exactly the smartest group.

Consider this: A few weeks ago, I got an ounce for $170. Today, I can pick up an ounce for $300. What happened between NOW and a few weeks ago? What event could have caused the price of marijuana to drop so quickly, AGAIN; from $375-$400 to $300-$350?

HARBORSIDE HEALTH CENTER WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE DEA

Harborside happens to be one of the largest, in fact, THE largest marijuana dispensary in California.. no, the US.. no, the world.. no, the known universe (it’s true). If growers aren’t selling their marijuana through Harborside, where else can they sell it? Answer: Try the rest of the nation. And, we’re all too happy to purchase it. So once again, THANK YOU DEA!! You’ve made it easier on my pockets to buy marijuana in New York City.

Categories: Legacy, Prohibitionist Idiots

Marijuana Growers Were Newbies Once Too

By anthonytaurus October 9, 2009 1

Usually when we hear about these marijuana grow operations,. we hear about, or see video, of the good ones. With indoor grow ops, we see these complicated setups – tubing, meters, lighting, buckets or tables. With outdoor ops we see these huge trees, some standing upwards of 9 feet tall or 9 feet in diameter.

When I first started growing, I got excited and inspired by these setups, especially indoor grow ops. It gave me encouragement but I still didn’t have all the know how. I had the access to information but nothing will ever replace the knowledge you gain from experience. You don’t gain experience from growing perfect marijuana every time. You learn more by making mistakes and grower error.

I want to show people – that are interested in growing marijuana and even those that may have lost faith in their ability – that we all make mistakes because we were all new at this job at some point. Even the professionals, some with 5 to 30+ years of experience still make mistakes.

Here are some great errors admitted by marijuana growers [I’ll let you know why, if it’s not obvious]:

“I remember my brother’s first attempt at hydro. It was a damned mess. He was hot gluing everything instead of using grommets and tubing. Eventually, it ended up with him flooding the damn bedroom and you could see wet spots in the ceiling of the garage above the room lol.”

“My big error was using tape on a water pump that was too damn strong for one dripper ring. I walked into the room and just heard that empty water pump sound. I ran to the closet to see an empty bucket. Luckily it was only about 2 gallons of water total. I unplugged everything just in case and used a lot of towels.”

“First several times I tried to grow with 100W incandescent bulbs. Other’n that, I got nothin’.”
[Incandescent bulbs, or regular light bulbs, do not have the right spectrum of light that will promote plant growth]

“I’ve heard of people that are convinced their herb tastes like grapes not because of the strain but because they pour in a gallon of grape Koolaid the last week of flower.”
[Usually people who don’t know much about marijuana either make up or believe made-up stories of how marijuana gets its scent or flavor. Different marijuana strains have their own natural scents and flavors. Sometimes some scents match those already in nature, some desirable, some not. For example, who wants their marijuana to smell and taste like a skunk?]

“When I first went indoor, I couldn’t fer the life of me get em to flower. Mel Frank and High Times helped me feel like an idiot. 12/12 huh…who knew???”
[12/12 refers to the light cycle of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark to mimic the changing season. 12/12 signals the plant to start flowering or growing buds. Marijuana won’t show buds indoors unless you signal it to do so.]

“I remember my first ‘real’ indoor grow (8 x 4′ flouros mixed cool/warm) back in 93 or 94. “You can tell if you have a female by the sets of two white hairy pistils that originate at the base of a branch in a calyx” “preflowers can be seen much sooner, and you might need a magnifying glass”…was what the text read. Little did I know you couldn’t see them when the plant was two or three sets of leaves tall! LOL. My god, I was right in there with my face looking for the ‘preflowers’ trying to figure out if I had boys or girls! After a few weeks of wondering, I saw my first sets of preflowers and I was hooked! Thanks, now I have to go back to my corner…” [Preflowers]

“I got a couple good stories about a buddy of mine out here. I gave up on trying to help him because he just doesn’t like to listen. 1# He use to stab the dirt through out his whole grow to aerate the soil. I told him don’t do that you are killing the roots. Still didn’t listen, **** knew best!!!! 2# He use to cut off all the leaves in about the 5th week of flower. Said lets more light reach the bud. Said this way he would get bigger buds, Because the buds need more light than the leaves. Don’t want big leaves just big buds. I love this guy but his head is thicker than the walls out here.”
[First problem is obvious, I think. The second problem is that the buds do not support themselves. The fan leaves are the light gatherers and process the light, air, and nutrients for the buds, THC, seeds, etc. In other words, YOU NEED FAN LEAVES]

“…sold a newb a 10” can fan that he wanted to use to exhaust a 10’x10′ bedroom.. Told him it was overkill for the room and he needed at least double the surface area of the fan for intake…. A big f’n hole lol. he didn’t think so, thought the small gaps around the door was fine. Couple days after runnin the fan it sucked the bedroom window right off the frame into the room onto his plants hahahahaaa.. best lessons learned are the hard way I guess.”
[Negative Pressure]

“When I first got my 1k set up going…I was trying to cut corners an had a vast supply of boxes that were 10 inches deep an were 7x7inches around…they were cardboard so I lined with 2 thats right 2 plastic grocery store bags….was my first encounter with black mold….lol”
[Cardboard and moisture is a breeding ground for black mold which can cause/aggravate asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia]

“I was told by a friend, that shwagg seeds grow shwagg plants, dense, compressed brown nugs……according to him….he saw a shwagg plant lol.”
[example of what can be done with schwag seeds]

“I once thought that a 2k room didn’t need any cooling in the summer, with temps hitting the mid 40s Celsius. Had a nice bubba S1 clone that produced great looking buds with no smell and practically no high, musta cooked all the volatiles and cannabinoids right out of them…lol”
[2k refers to 2 kilowatts of light which gets pretty hot. This could have been worse than what occurred. Please make sure to use proper ventilation in any grow room.]

“Heres one I heard few years ago….some dude was going out of town for a week an asked a buddy to feed an water his girls…second day into it the friend mistakes ph-up for being a nute an gave em all a healthy dose of ph-up…couple days later entire dead crop..lol”
[“pH up” is used to balance the pH (acidity/alkalinity) of hydroponic solution. Proper pH is important to aid in the plants uptake/absorption of nutrients. Too high or low will cause “nutrient lockout”.]

Don’t think you can’t do it because you don’t have a green thumb. Don’t get discouraged because your first, second, or even third attempt failed. It’s the mistakes that teach you the most important lessons. So, don’t be afraid to admit your humanity by asking questions or getting information if you need help. Tens of thousands of growers around the world go in and out of marijuana growing forums just so they can help others. And, it’s all free of charge. Dust yourself off and get dirty again.

Categories: Grow Shop, Grow Show, Legacy

30 Days, No weed. Can I do it?

By anthonytaurus February 26, 2009 8

Intro

Many people think that marijuana is addictive. This idea is very much wrong. The concept of marijuana addiction comes from one of two places: lies/misinformation or addictive personalities. As I am properly informed and I do suffer from an addictive personality, quitting marijuana for 30 days should be no problem for me.

Misinformation is one thing. Lying is another.

Sometimes, we as a people, have to rely on sources that we believe are credible due to their position, title, stature in the community. A great example of this are police officers. Society, in general, usually has the belief that police officers have the community’s best interest in mind. This is usually why most police officers aren’t questioned when they make false statements. No one is saying that this person is lying to us outright. The officer may very well believe what he’s telling the people. This is why we have to question the messenger.

Imagine some random person comes up to you claiming your significant other cheated on you. You’d question them: How do you know? Unfortunately, as it is human nature, we don’t question who we believe is credible. Well, where does this police officer get his information from? We don’t know do we. But, because this person has a badge and blue uniform, we’re supposed to believe him. Right? Wrong. I am not asking anyone to never believe another police officer. I am asking people to question the messenger.

Pseudo-Addiction

I have a friend who told me outright that he couldn’t quit marijuana. I thought this was very weird. I’ve stopped using marijuana in the past personally and without any adverse reactions. I’d go for a week or two and not have any “crave” or withdrawal problem that’s been popularized in the past. My own situation made me think about why my friend couldn’t quit, yet I could with no problem.

In talks with him, others, and reading accounts of fake-addiction, I came to the realization that he was weak. I’ve yet to see someone who admits to being addicted to marijuana not come out and say they’re addicted to other substances as well. He not only smoked marijuana, but he also smoked cigarettes, drank liquor, and had other problems stemming from long before he smoked marijuana. While watching the news regarding California’s legalization issue, a woman called in claiming she was addicted to marijuana. Before I could wonder what other addictions she had, she admitted using a variety of different drugs but didn’t name them all either.

One day, my friend and I were talking about quitting again and I confronted him when he claimed he was addicted to marijuana. He admitted he knew marijuana was not addictive but that he indeed had an addictive personality. In other words, he’s one of those people that has to be attached to something. Once he had a girlfriend, he completely quit marijuana turning it down at one point leaving me to smoke by myself. However, the minute they broke up, he called to tell me that he started back up again. Interestingly enough, the woman who called into the news program was a born again Christian. Let’s be honest, those types scare the hell out of most normal people. They’re personalities are way overboard. But, let’s not get anything twisted, they replaced one “addiction” for another. That’s the sign of an addictive personality, not addiction to marijuana.

Truth? Find out for yourself

Unfortunately, my “truth” about marijuana not being addictive is simply my own personal story, empirical evidence so to speak. It won’t be enough for some people. Most police officers and especially DEA, masters of misinformation in my opinion, would trump up every rebuttal in the book including lies and deceit. I can bring out a million other pot heads, and former pot heads, to help me prove my point but it may still not be enough. Why not trust people of a higher or stronger reputation? “Who?”, you ask. How about doctors and researchers who have actual experience studying marijuana and its effects. And, all I am asking is that YOU get proof from actual studies, not uneducated police officers and not even from marijuana users like me (although we have actual first hand experience). I am very much certain that my information is 100% correct.

Can I do 30 days?

There are some people who are never going to accept this reality. The answer to the question will be a resounding “NO!” They truly believe that marijuana is addictive. Going 30 days without smoking marijuana would be inconceivable.

Their attitudes are HILARIOUS.

For the record, I am currently on day 6 of not smoking marijuana. If anyone knows anything about TRUE addiction, there’s no way in hell I could go 6 days without smoking marijuana unless I am getting “professional” help. I must be going through some serious withdrawal symptoms. Well, no! I do not exhibit any withdrawal symptoms, none at all. I do not have the shakes of a cocaine addict. I do not have the irritability of a caffeine or nicotine addict either. Actually, I am pretty calm, relaxed, and functioning very well if I do say so myself. This is because I know for a fact that marijuana not addictive. Why?

Hold on to your pants folks!

The last time I took a hiatus from smoking marijuana was starting June 1st (technically mid May) and ending November 1st of 2008. Yes, that is 4 months of not smoking marijuana. Why? How? Simply put, I had gotten food poisoning in early May. I couldn’t smoke anything for the whole time that I was sick. Everything pretty much aggravated my stomach. Only thing I could handle was tea and eating very small meals. When it was finally over, I realized that I went about two weeks without using marijuana. I simply didn’t want it anymore. My friend, the same one with the addictive personality, invited me over since I was back from the dead. He had a blunt rolled and waiting. I told him that I wouldn’t be smoking because I didn’t have the urge anymore. He said, “We’ll see about that when you get here!” After hours of XBOX360, I went home as sober as I walked in, as sober as a a born again Christian, which isn’t saying much, I know.

For me, 30 days of not smoking marijuana is as easy as Lance Armstrong riding his bike one New York City block. And, I only have another 24 days to go. It officially ends on March 22nd. That’s when I’ll smoke marijuana again.

Categories: Legacy, Opinion

Marijuana Monday Ep 14.1: Best marijuana I’ve ever had!

By anthonytaurus November 24, 2008 2

Marijuana Mondays

The big thing in marijuana is medical. Now, I won’t act as if I am some debilitated, terminally ill individual that uses marijuana medicinally to relieve insurmountable pain. However, I am an insomniac which affects everything else in my life. Sometimes, I could stay up 36 hours before I finally crash and the most I’ve slept is about 6 hours which is an oddity for me. However, while smoking marijuana I get regulated to a degree. Depending on how I use, I can get varying and helpful effects. Overall, I enjoy the high. So, I want to tell two short stories about the best marijuana I’ve ever had.
Check the last episode: Marijuana Monday Ep 13: Education is Legalization

Brainstorm (aka Hempstar)

A few years ago, I purchased this marijuana called Hempstar from my connect (dealer). It was in the first few days of me getting top quality bud and not that crap on the street – the discovery phase, so to speak. The Hempstar was funky, stink in a good way. It was packed with little “diamonds” or trichomes which is where the THC is manufactured in the plant. Basically, in looks and smell, Hempstar was just very good.

I got home with this new marijuana and rolled a good sized blunt, chocolate philly (which is easier to roll that most people think). As I began to smoke, I got upset. I was watching tv and I felt nothing. Ok I am never getting this marijuana again. I wanted something to drink. As I got up to go to the kitchen, I wobbled a bit and fell right back down. Whoaaaaaaa! I looked at the television, it began to rotate ever so slightly. WHOAAAAAA! Eventually, I made it to the kitchen on those wobbly legs and got some cold water.

When I made it back, I laid down and woke up. No. I didn’t go to sleep. At least, I don’t remember going to sleep. All I remember was waking up about three hours later. And, I was HUNGRY. My appetite was monstrous to say the least, super munchies. After I fed the munchies, I looked up Hempstar online. I found out it’s bred by Dutch Passion and found out they changed the name from Hempstar to Brainstorm. The site says that the line was updated. That’s a lot to explain so I won’t.

The next day, I found out my boy Will was coming from NJ. I don’t miss those occassions to hang out with friends, I don’t get to see often. And, I had to share the Hempstar. It’s only natural. I rolled a Honey Dutch which I only smoked a third and would smoke the rest with my boy. And, I threw in a little bit of the Hempstar on the side for when he got home. The plan: Will would come over, smoke a little, head to the movies, then to my friend Fred’s spot. After Will smoked that first few puffs, it was the same story. He didn’t feel anything but when he went to the bathroom, he wobbled slightly.

I don’t remember what we watched at the movies but after about 45 minutes into it, I smelled the Hempstar. Mind you, Will had the marijuana including a half-blunt on his inside pocket. On top of that, he was layered because it was cold. I asked Will if he could smell it. At first he said no but confirmed it 15 minutes later. Then, this loudmouth hoodrat about 5 seats away screeches, “I SMELL MARIJUANA.” I had to laugh. The guy the girl was with was trying to quiet her down. Will apologized for the marijuana being so strong.

We get to Fred’s spot and they smoke the rest of the blunt. I didn’t want anymore. I know my limitations. We did get the munchies later on. Just when we were about to go to the store, Fred throws me his keys. Why? He says, “This shit got me couchlocked!” He really didn’t want to get up to open the door when we got back. Will turned quiet as his high settled in. He couldn’t really go to sleep but I could tell he was going down. He ended up going back home a little early.

Hopefully, the US will legalize marijuana for all and I can get some seeds and grow these out.

Stay tuned for next Monday.
There’s another story about another strain that’s the best ever for me. It’s called Hush (pronounced hoosh). I’ll discuss the difference between Hempstar and Hush and tell you why I don’t think that many people know about Hush. Hint: This strain is too new for the streets.

Marijuana Media: Nice Bong Hits

Categories: Legacy, Marijuana Mondays

Wakeup: Back to Reagan’s Drug War

By anthonytaurus October 18, 2008 6

In this war on drugs, there is one question that every poor Black and Hispanic person in the inner city – the dealers, the users, and the innocent bystanders – wants answered, “How do these substances get into our neighborhood?”

This question comes about because there is a disconnect in the flow of drugs. For example, if you wanted to track how a car got into your neighborhood, you can track it from the manufacturer through the distribution system – trucks, trains, planes, and car salesmen – into the hands of the owner. However, when it comes to drugs we don’t know the distribution system. The one question that always comes up is, “if the US government wants to stop the flow of drugs, why don’t they go after the manufacturers instead of the low-level dealers?”

The answer: The US government IS the distribution system that facilitates the flow of crack, cocaine, and heroin into the nation and the inner city.

I know it all sounds like a conspiracy theory – “Oh, the big dangerous government is out to get us!” Sure, it sounds crazy. Unfortunately, it’s so crazy that it’s true. Listen to former DEA agent Celerino Castillo tell you about his experiences in Central and South America. It’s a two part video, about an hour long total.

Folks, it’s important to understand that this is NOT coming from the mouth of some paranoid crackhead. This is from the mouth of a man who was IN it all. Here are the video interview of former DEA agent Celerino Castillo:

The one thing that stood out to me before the end of the second video is that Mr. Castillo confirmed the fears that I had about heroin production in Afghanistan. I watched news reports that the US military wouldn’t destroy poppy fields as they showed clips of US soldiers walking through. The one thing I knew about the Taliban in Afghanistan, they are staunch Muslims. They fought drug dealers in Afghanistan and punished them harshly with death. All of a sudden, the US comes starts the War on Terror and Afghanistan is now producing 90% of the world’s heroin.

Folks, this is NOT Usher and Tameka getting a divorce. This is NOT some celebrity sex tape. This is NOT the latest Hip Hop beef. This is the Reagan era revisited. This is the crack/cocaine/heroin epidemic. This is high levels of unemployment and depressed individuals looking for an escape. This is blood-stained sidewalks and kids dying over cheap gold chains and nice sneakers. This is what I remember from the 80s under two terms of Ronald Reagan and one term of George HW Bush. We’re going back to these times thanks to two terms of George W. Bush.

The only thing that’s truly going to save our communities is the will to resist. We’ve got to be reminded of the harm done to us by this fake war on drugs. We have to be stronger than our parents were during the 80s. We have to make sure to NOT succumb to the ease of drug money and NOT look for escape in substances. This shit is coming to our doorsteps. The best thing we can do is be prepared.

Categories: Legacy, Opinion

Thank You DEA: Marijuana and Economics

THANK YOU DEA!!

Marijuana Growers Were Newbies Once Too

30 Days, No weed. Can I do it?

Marijuana Monday Ep 14.1: Best marijuana I’ve ever had!

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THANK YOU DEA!!

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