Legalizing Pot Sucked All The Fun Out Of It In Washington

Last year, Washington state became one of two US states that allows stores to sell marajuana for recreational use. When stores initially opened in July, the ground breaking change sparked a booming demand with many of the retailers having to close periodically for lack of pot. However, once the newness of the situation wore off, people began to realize that recreational marajuana stores were considerably more expensive than medicinal marajuana dispensaries, making a prescription, or a trip to the black market, much more appealing. The price discrepancies have hurt everyone involved in the recreational marajuana supply chain as a lack of demand has caused the industry to sag after less than a year.

Regulations Boost Prices

In Washington, the State Liquor Control Board is responsible for overseeing everything from the  process of growing to product packaging for all marajuana sold recreationally. The organization’s strict policies have added about 50 percent extra to prices by tacking on extra costs at each level of the supply chain. That price increase has customers looking to get a doctors note rather than head to their local retailer, a problem for recreational pot growers and sellers.

Medical Vs. Recreational

Now, the CannaBusiness Association, a group whose purpose is to unite recreational marajuana stores, is working to hold medical pot to the same standards. Lobbyists for the cause claim that medical marajuana should be required to undergo the same product tests as recreational pot, something that would make the cost for the two more equal. However, medicinal dispensaries are pushing back, as regulation for their products would likely drive the demand for medically prescribed marajuana to virtually zero.