Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Source: Chief, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Whistler Printing & Publishing
Website: http://www.squamishchief.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2414
Author: Ben Lypka

B.C.'S MISSED 'POT'-ENTIAL

It's not just the citizens that are high in Colorado it's now also the
state coffers.

While north of the border we continue to hem and haw about what to do
with marijuana, the Centennial State is making lots of cents and sense.

Colorado released the facts and figures from the first month of taxes
collected on both recreational and medical marijuana sales and it's
nothing to stare at the wall and giggle at.

The state earned over $3.5 million for January, including over $2
million directly from recreational users. Colorado is the first state
to allow the sale of pot but our neighbours to the south in Washington
State are expected to follow suit later this summer.

As Canadians continue to twiddle their thumbs, these two states are
cleaning up and it's a tremendous lost opportunity for the entire
country but especially British Columbia.

It's common knowledge that B.C. grown marijuana is revered around the
globe as some of the highest quality on the planet. Just think of the
possibilities of the gates being open to the legal purchase and
consumption of locally grown weed.

Not only would it free up time for the police to go after more
pressing issues but it would also provide jobs and in these lean times
it's ridiculous that governments are looking away from what could an
easy revenue generator through taxation.

There are also opportunities in tourism with pot aficionados
interested in traveling the world and trying new types and variations
of their favourite plant. Hey, if the foodie movement can increase
tourism why can't the marijuana movement?

The fact that Washington State will soon be opening its doors to these
types of possibilities and get a head start on BC is
disappointing.

One of the more interesting retail applications in Washington State
that I saw was in the tiny border town of Point Roberts. For those
unaware, Point Roberts is south of Tsawwassen and is an oddity as it's
not physically connected to the United States.

Point Roberts is only reachable by land through Canada and the
proposed store, called The Herb Company, will sell pot and pot
paraphernalia.

But the potential is really endless. Imagine a bed and breakfast
located in Point Roberts that sells itself on the availability of pot
- - takes wake and bake to a whole new level doesn't it?

I know whale watching is pretty big in Point Roberts but depending on
the strength of the marijuana we could see our first orange and pink
killer whale. And sales of Cheetos would go through the roof.

The point is, it should be BC taking advantage of its reputation as a
haven for pot users but instead it's up to Washington State and
Colorado to puff and pass.
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MAP posted-by: Matt