Is cannabis the largest cash crop in California?

[sandandfoam]

I was watching a programme on National Geographic last night that said it is. Bigger in monetary value than wine. Amazing if it's true.
They visited a place (Oakland I think?) referred to in the programme as Oaksterdam. I didn't realize there was anywhere in America with such a progressive stance on dope.
Any of you know about this?

 

[Buttercup]

California has a huge population (over 35 million) wouldn't surprise me at all if this news was true. There's also enough land to hide pot farms inside and out. The state of Oregon is just north of Cali and supposedly we grow lots of weed up here too. Maybe that's one reason the West coast is so liberal.

 

[J Bryson]

There's some evidence to state that it's the largest cash crop in America:

http://www.sodahead.com/blog/61001/marijuanacalifornias-largest-cash-crop/

 

[verecund]

There was recently an article in Time magazine that said it was the largest cash crop... it surprised me, too.

 

[Makaveli]

It's worth $14 billion in my state alone, not surprising, Californians like their marijuana and the criminals are only too happy to provide.

 

[Zephyr]

They visited a place (Oakland I think?) referred to in the programme as Oaksterdam.

Hehe, yeah, California has a pretty thorough MMJ program and plenty of dispensaries and legal growers. All illegal on a federal level, but legal by CA law.

 

[SoliDeoGloria]

I was watching a programme on National Geographic last night that said it is. Bigger in monetary value than wine. Amazing if it's true.
They visited a place (Oakland I think?) referred to in the programme as Oaksterdam. I didn't realize there was anywhere in America with such a progressive stance on dope.
Any of you know about this?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the ONLY reason it is the largest "CASH" crop is because for the most part it is still ILLEGAL. It's called "supply and demand". I still remember when my dad was selling it and a quarter ounce cost $35 and a "dime bag" was $10 dollars etc.

Let it become legal and the excitement of it's legalisation go down and it's status as "the largest cash crop" will dramatically change and the government will have something even more to tax.

Sincerely,
SoliDeoGloria

 

[Valjean]

I googled and found this summary of laws, state by state: State By State Laws - NORML

 

[Bedlam]

I would be very curious to see what would happen if cannabis was legalized. I've heard it's less deadly and more popular than alcohol, so who knows? It might actually turn out to be good for the economy.

 

[Zephyr]

I would be very curious to see what would happen if cannabis was legalized. I've heard it's less deadly and more popular than alcohol, so who knows? It might actually turn out to be good for the economy.

Of course cannabis is less deadly than alcohol. You can't die of a cannabis "overdose". You can get pretty damn uncomfortable, but nobody has died from it. Ever.

 

[3.14]

well is there a more important plant then?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I've heard it's less deadly and more popular than alcohol, so who knows? It might actually turn out to be good for the economy.

Cannabis is even less deadly than caffeine. There has not been a single documented case of a marijuana overdose.
As for being more popular, it's difficult to tell. Many people who use cannabis will not, or cannot, admit to using it for legal or social complications it can bring about. Also, some people just like to drink, some smoke, and some just like to trip. It's a matter of personal preference really.

But, it wouldn't surprise me if cannabis is a massive cash crop anywhere. It's easy to grow, it can grow almost anywhere in the wild, and probably is used more than any other drug or plant, or medical or recreational purposes.