Marijuana & Money

• Marijuana & Money
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The legalization of medical marijuana in several states has paved the way for a budding edible medical marijuana industry. Small businesses in states such as Colorado and California are making treats such as candy, cookies or soda.

Pill vs. cigarette. They both have pros and cons as consumer products. But if there is a battle to bring recreational cannabis to market, most believe tobacco companies would have the upper hand over drug companies.

If pot becomes legal, local, artisanal growers—perhaps along with farmers' collectives—are likely to dominate in the early stage, as big firms ramp up to enter the market years later. Think Starbuds vs. Maxwell House.

Labs like Full Spectrum and Steep Hill are springing up to serve the medical marijuana dispensaries and patients in states like Colorado and California to test the strength and purity of the drug.

The case against licensed marijuana grower Chris Bartkowicz in Colorado epitomizes many of the contradictions and much of the confusion surrounding the enforcement of marijuana laws these days.

The pro-pot lobby is basically like any other: PACs and big-name contributors, and meetings at The Capitol, even the White House. It's the new Norml, so to speak. And the new message? It's the economy, dude.

Is marijuana a harmless giggle, as John Lennon once called it, or a dangerous and illicit addiction? The debate has once again been pushed to the forefront, thanks to a couple of timely factors.

Taking a pocketbook approach to marijuana consumption, black-market prices make the weed more expense than alcohol and tobacco, but legalization could change that.