The Rise & Fall of Pueblo’s Cannabis Industry

The story of the Pueblo Cannabis Industry in Colorado reveals both the hope and challenges of legalising recreational marijuana. What started as a bold plan to revive a struggling city provides valuable lessons for any community considering the same path. We explore Pueblo’s highs and lows, the reasons for its decline, and what other regions must consider before following suit. Reflections here are based on the excellent reporting in the podcast “How the Napa Valley of Cannabis’ Dried Up” by Spotify.

Pueblo’s Big Bet on Cannabis: Pueblo County, two hours south of Denver, was once defined by steel and hard work. But after its steel mills and slaughterhouses closed, Pueblo was left searching for a new economic engine. With the legalisation of recreational marijuana in Colorado in 2014, local leaders saw an opening. They marketed Pueblo as the “Napa Valley of Cannabis,” hoping that marijuana tourism, jobs, and new tax revenue would drive a revival.

The start was electric. Entrepreneurs from around the US moved in, lining up for business licences and opening dispensaries. Headlines buzzed with excitement as residents and visitors waited in long queues outside new marijuana shops.

Within a month, just two legal shops in Pueblo County generated $1 million in sales and over $56,000 in tax for the county. Dispensaries like Sticky Ickies quickly became community favourites, pulling in up to $20,000 a day in sales. The sense of possibility was everywhere.

Early Wins for the Pueblo Cannabis Industry: The immediate impact of legalising recreational marijuana was hard to ignore. The city saw:

• A wave of new businesses and jobs
• Tourists coming from other states to buy legal cannabis
• Food trucks and local entrepreneurs thriving
• Increased local tax revenue
• National headlines crediting Pueblo for its forward-thinking approach

The optimism was real. Yet, at the same time, the seeds of tougher times were already being sown.

Oversaturation and High Taxes Weaken the Industry: Before long, the Pueblo Cannabis Industry faced new pressures. The city had more than 200 cannabis businesses at its peak but only 7–10 Starbucks in town. That’s a lot of dispensaries for one city. Market saturation set in, making it impossible for most shops to survive. Profits plunged as competition skyrocketed.

Another big problem was the tax rate. State and local taxes on legal marijuana reached as high as 41% in Pueblo. The city imposed extra excise and sales taxes, making prices on legal cannabis much higher than on the black market. Customers naturally looked for cheaper alternatives. For many, that meant the illegal sellers who never disappeared.

Black Market Does Not Disappear After Legalisation: One of the strongest arguments for the legalisation of recreational marijuana was the hope that it would kill illegal sales. For Pueblo, the opposite happened. Legal dispensaries may have flourished at first, but the high taxes meant many buyers kept turning to the black market. Unregulated sellers could offer lower prices and now easily blend in with the flood of new cannabis businesses.

Police in Pueblo noted that, rather than shrinking, the illegal trade in marijuana actually grew after legalisation. The presence of legal cannabis also made enforcement against black market sellers harder, not easier.

Other States Catch Up – and Competition Rises: The final blow for many business owners in Pueblo was outside competition. At first, out-of-state buyers flocked to Colorado, but as more states legalised marijuana, fewer visitors needed to make the trip. Businesses like Sticky Ickies saw daily sales drop from $20,000 to $2,500. Shops closed or had to lay off staff. Some owners moved their businesses to states like New Mexico, where lower taxes offered a chance to start over.

Social Impacts and Community Challenges: The effects of the failing Pueblo Cannabis Industry rippled across the community:

• Many new residents, drawn by the early boom, remained long after job prospects faded.
• Police and shelters reported a sharp rise in homelessness, with the unhoused population growing from around 15 before legalisation to over 500.
• Crime rates went up, placing more strain on law enforcement and social services.
• Tax revenue from cannabis, meant to support city programmes, fell short of what was needed to tackle these growing problems.

City officials, organisations, and volunteers could not keep up with the demand for social support. Burnout soared among those committing time and energy to help struggling families. The dream of a thriving cannabis-powered economy faded quickly.

Turning Away from Marijuana for Economic Growth: Slowly, Pueblo’s city leaders and economic officials shifted focus. The early excitement for building a regional cannabis powerhouse gave way to renewed support for traditional industries. The city stopped putting recreational marijuana at the centre of its plans.

The Pueblo Cannabis Industry remained, but as a shadow of its early self. Attitudes shifted from optimism to realism, then to caution.

Lessons from the Pueblo Cannabis Industry: Pueblo’s experience holds key lessons for any city or state considering the legalisation of recreational marijuana. Among the most important:

• Don’t Overpromise: Legal cannabis is not a cure-all for economic woes.
• Watch for Oversaturation: Too many businesses chasing too few customers benefits no one.
• Consider Taxes Carefully: Excessive taxes push buyers back to the black market.
• Stay Realistic About Social Impacts: Homelessness, crime, and strains on support systems can rise, and tax revenue is rarely enough to fix these issues quickly.
• Look Beyond the Headlines: National attention may be positive at first, but real, lasting change takes time and nuanced policy.

Implications for Other Communities: The experience of Pueblo proves that the legalisation of recreational marijuana requires careful planning, clear regulations, and ongoing community support. Legalisation alone cannot deliver a strong economy or solve social problems. Prevention, education, and support for vulnerable populations are essential parts of public policy.

For communities looking to the cannabis industry for economic salvation, Pueblo’s story is a cautionary tale. Smart regulation and prevention strategies, not high hopes and low taxes, are more likely to lead to lasting benefits.

(Also see Cannabis Market Collapse Hits California & Colorado

Source: Many details in this post are based on insights from “How the Napa Valley of Cannabis’ Dried Up,” a Spotify podcast.

 

Prevention FIRST! The Hyannis Consensus Blueprint: A Landmark in Balanced Drug Policy

March 12, 2025 By WRD News Team

The global fight against addiction has taken an important step forward with the launch of the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint, an initiative that offers a comprehensive, balanced drug policy supported by leading experts and organisations. Speaking at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana), highlighted the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint as a “blueprint for effective drug policy” introduced by international experts and organisations. He emphasised its focus on prevention, treatment, recovery, criminal justice, global cooperation, and supply reduction. Dr. Sabet also warned against the push to normalise drug use, describing the catastrophic human toll of addiction and urging nations to invest in the pillars outlined in the blueprint. His remarks underscored the need for a balanced, evidence-based approach to tackling drug-related challenges worldwide.

What is the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint?

The Hyannis Consensus Blueprint is a groundbreaking framework designed to guide international efforts in addressing the devastating impact of addiction. Key pillars shape this balanced drug policy, including prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery, supply reduction, and enhanced global collaboration. With addiction now at catastrophic levels in many regions, the blueprint represents a vital roadmap for sustainable change.

The principles outlined in the blueprint prioritise strategies that discourage drug use while addressing underlying systemic challenges. It promotes innovating criminal justice systems, encourages adopting evidence-based treatment options, and advocates uniting globally to combat addictive substances.

The Cost of Ignoring Addiction

Failing to address addiction comes with an enormous human and economic cost. The transcript from the Hyannis Consensus launch highlights a pressing need to move beyond toxic cycles of permissive drug policies and normalisation. Legalisation of drugs, as seen in North America, has reportedly led to devastating effects, particularly among young people, and prioritised corporate profits over public health.

The Hyannis Consensus Blueprint stands as a counterpoint to this trend. It promotes a world where communities can thrive without the shadow of addiction, empowering individuals to recover fully and lead drug-free lives.

Prevention and Recovery as Pillars of Change

At its core, the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint revolves around prevention and recovery. Prevention aims to stop drug use before it starts, while recovery offers individuals a path to rebuild their lives. This proactive approach aims to not only reduce harm but also transform lives for the better.

The blueprint urges balancing efforts across criminal justice and public health systems. Effective drug courts alongside harm-reduction interventions serve as vital tools in discouraging drug use and fostering recovery. Nations serious about tackling addiction must consider these solutions to safeguard future generations.

Governments Urged to Prioritise Resilient Societies

Governments worldwide are now being urged to realign their national drug policies with the principles of the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint. Countries are encouraged to reaffirm their commitment to international drug conventions, reject legalisation experiments that prioritise private interests, and expand programmes rooted in criminal justice reform and effective public health measures.

The launch of this blueprint serves as a rallying cry for nations determined to prioritise human dignity and community wellbeing. By adopting the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint, countries can pave the way for healthier, more resilient societies.

Why the Hyannis Consensus Matters

Addiction is more than an individual struggle; it’s a societal challenge that affects families, economies, and futures. The Hyannis Consensus Blueprint is a bold step towards reversing the tide of permissive drug policies and ineffective strategies. For countries looking to protect their citizens, this balanced drug policy provides the tools and vision necessary for meaningful change.

Organisations like the Dalgarno Institute and WFAD are at the forefront of this global effort, highlighting the importance of this significant, timely initiative. Communities deserve policies that prioritise recovery, not exploitation, and the Hyannis Consensus Blueprint is uniquely positioned to achieve this goal.

Learn more here.

Growing Up with Hippie Parents in a Cloud of Smoke

January 16, 2025 

A Child’s Perspective on Hippie Parents and Drug Culture in the Early 70s by Solitaire Miles

Why I’m Sharing This Story Now:

As marijuana legalization sweeps across America I feel compelled to share my story. What I experienced in the early 1970s as a child of hippie parents might seem mild compared to what some children face today because the marijuana of my childhood was far less potent than the high-THC strains now grown, sold, and distributed legally. Emergency rooms regularly treat children for marijuana overdose and severe vomiting episodes – a situation that should alarm us all. I’m writing this because I believe many parents remain undereducated about the real dangers marijuana poses to growing children, both physically and psychologically.

My Early Childhood

I was born in 1967 to hippie parents – who else would name their child Solitaire? For the first few years of my life, I stayed with my grandparents, thank goodness, because my parents were still in their teens, just out of high school, and they were living wildly and were both experimenting with a lot of drugs. I had a guardian angel though, my grandmother Connie was very protective of me, and I lived at her house and was raised there from birth. She taught me many things, how to eat, how to walk, she potty trained me, she taught me to speak… and all of the things that a newborn baby growing up to be a toddler need to learn. My loving grandmother adored me and raised me as if I were her own daughter.

The Change 1971

Sadly, when I was about 4 years old, my grandmother got sick and had to go into the hospital to be treated for epilepsy, so I had to live with my mother and father, which was not fun at all. They weren’t big time criminals, they weren’t evil people, but they were very addicted to drugs and they liked to party a lot. Every night there was alcohol and drugs in the house and lots of their hippie friends listening to music, getting high until the early hours of the morning. It was a very scary and difficult environment for me to be in after having been raised with my grandmother in her quiet Catholic household.

Life With My Parents

My father grew his own marijuana out in the woods somewhere and he sold it to his friends while he was going to college so he wouldn’t need a day a job while going to school. Apparently he grew a lot of it because there was always marijuana in the house. In our living room there was a big wooden box that held all of the marijuana in the baggies and the joint rolling papers. My mother showed me this when I moved in, and she not only showed me how to break up the leaves into baggies but also trained me how to roll joints so that there would always be an availability for customers when they came to our house.

If my parents were busy or weren’t home and I was alone (if you can imagine leaving a four-year-old home alone with a large cache of drugs), I could go and retrieve the drugs and give them to whoever came to the door for them. Often times in the afternoon or the early evening, friends would come over and I would be rolling the joints for them and passing them out to people as I was instructed to do. Everyone thought that it was so quaint and what a little soldier I was. The rooms would fill up with marijuana smoke and I would be encouraged to smoke the marijuana myself because they said it was natural and it was good for kids to keep them calm.

My Coping Methods

The marijuana made me really sick – it made me feel like I wanted to puke and it gave me terrible headaches. After I did my job of rolling the joints and passing out the cigarettes or the baggies to whoever showed up, I would go and hide in my room at about 6:00 at night after dinner. I would stuff a towel or a blanket under the bottom of my door so that their smoke wouldn’t come in, and then I would crack my bedroom window even if it was hard winter so that there would be fresh air in my room and I wouldn’t get one of those nauseating headaches. I would try to read a book until I fell asleep for the rest of the night. It would be hard sometimes to stay asleep because especially on the weekends they would have loud parties with lots of music and 10 or 12 people would show up and they’d hoot and holler and party and do their drugs until dawn.

The Long-Term Impact on My Adult Life

As an adult working in the entertainment business, it has been a challenge for me to try to remain working around clean and sober people. I am clean and sober and I do not drink or use drugs and alcohol, and I’ve never smoked marijuana. There was a time in my early to mid-20s where I did use alcohol, but I stopped that after I developed epilepsy, which is genetic in my family. Alcohol and marijuana both make my seizures worse. A lot of people think that marijuana can make seizures better, but one in four epilepsy patients are actually made worse by it. If you don’t believe me go to the national institute of health and research it, there is a drug called Epidolex created for kids who have Dravet syndrome, a very specific type of epilepsy and marijuana derivatives seem to help these kids but for as many as it helps it makes others worse and the drug has a 25% failure rate.

Working in the entertainment business has been very difficult since legalization, and I find it challenging to perform and work when people use marijuana on stage or in the clubs or restaurants where I would be. I’ve had to stop performing in person at many venues and I only perform in places that. I know for sure there won’t be any drug smoke in the venue and I prefer working in outdoor venues and concerts during the summer.

Secondhand Marijuana Smoke Affects My Health

A lot of people don’t like me or will refuse to work with me because they think I’m a prude or a snob, but if they understood what I went through as a child and that marijuana does negatively affect me, causing me to have migraines and seizures, maybe they would have some sympathy…. although many of them do not, even when I try to explain the simple fact that their marijuana smoke on stage is enough to trigger a seizure – and I would never want to have a seizure on stage in front of an audience. So now I am mostly a recording artist and have to be satisfied with that.

I’m not going to tell anybody what to do with their bodies, but I wish that they could be more respectful with their secondhand smoke because it does affect other people’s bodies and it does affect the health of their children, which are our greatest resource, and if America is going to continue to thrive, we need to raise our children with love, keeping them healthy, and teaching them to respect themselves and not become addicts. I feel sorry for any child that has to live through now what I lived through in 1971 because I know that the quality and the intensity of the drugs are so much stronger than my dad’s homegrown ever was.

Editor’s Note:  Here are some other articles on secondhand smoke:

Secondhand Smoke from Marijuana Worse than Cigarettes

Breathe Cannabis Free Oregon

Source: People Opposed to Pot

January 2, 2025By WRD News Team

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Voters across the United States have decisively rejected a series of ballot measures aiming to legalise marijuana and psychedelics, marking a significant shift in public sentiment. On November 5, states spanning the political spectrum, including Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Massachusetts, voted against these proposals. Florida saw the defeat of marijuana legalisation by four points, despite campaigners investing over $150 million in support. North Dakotans refused legalisation for the third consecutive time, with a five-point margin, while South Dakota declined similar measures by 11 points. Massachusetts voters, heavily outspent by pro-legalisation groups, rejected psychedelic drug legalisation by a commanding 14 points.

This widespread opposition reflects growing concerns over the negative effects of marijuana and psychedelic legalisation. Increased public awareness of marijuana’s dangers, particularly its high THC potency, has likely played a role. Reports of adverse health effects, ranging from cannabis use disorder to severe mental health problems like psychosis, have resonated with voters. Another emerging issue is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, a severe condition causing uncontrollable vomiting among frequent users. Studies indicating that recreational legalisation leads to a 13% increase in youth marijuana use, alongside a faster rise in teen addiction rates, have further alarmed parents and communities. Accessibility and marketing of child-friendly THC products, such as gummies, have also faced heavy criticism.

The failure of legalisation efforts in recent years highlights a turning point for the industry, which once anticipated a widespread cultural normalisation of marijuana and psychedelics. Proponents of legalisation have also failed to address critical issues, such as the surge in the illicit cannabis market in legal states, an uptick in emergency room visits, and negligible benefits for marginalised communities. For example, only 2% of the marijuana industry is represented by Black-owned businesses, further fuelling disappointment.

These results send a clear signal to Congress as lawmakers consider drug policy reform. The push to pass measures such as the SAFE Banking Act, designed to strengthen the cannabis industry, now faces increased scrutiny. Critics argue that such legislation would undermine voter sentiment and intensify the commercialisation of an already controversial sector. Proposals to legalise psychedelics, including their use in therapies, are also being challenged, with opponents highlighting limited scientific support for their safety or efficacy.

The election outcomes underline the growing demand for public health and safety to take precedence over the expansion of drug use. Parliament needs to take notice of this shift in public opinion. It’s time to listen to what people are saying and focus on education, prevention, and evidence-based policies. The priority should be on putting communities and families first, not profits or corporate interests.

Source: The Hill

November 19, 2024 By WRD News Team

In the saga of San Francisco’s drug crisis, there’s a bitter irony that the city named after Saint Francis – known for his ministry to the poor – has become a cautionary tale of how misguided compassion can enable human suffering on an industrial scale.

From the staggering 806 drug deaths in 2023 (a 24% jump from the previous year) to the pungent clouds of cannabis smoke that have replaced the city’s famous fog, San Francisco’s experiment with “harm reduction” has produced harm in quantities that would make even the most hardened statistician wince.

Breaking Records Nobody Wanted

The statistics coming out of San Francisco read like a dystopian novel, except the casualties are real people on real streets. The city’s drug death toll has shattered records with such stunning regularity that each new milestone seems to mock the last. In 2023, the city recorded an unprecedented 806 drug deaths – a number that becomes even more horrifying when you realise it represents a 24% increase from the previous year. To put this in perspective, that’s more than two people dying every single day from drug overdoses in a city that prides itself on its progressiveness and compassion.

This grim tally isn’t just a new record; it’s an 11% increase over the previous record set in 2020, suggesting that despite all the hand-wringing and policy discussions, the situation is spiralling further out of control. The city’s streets have become home to approximately 8,000 people, many of whom live in conditions that would shock visitors from developing nations. These individuals aren’t just statistics – they’re scattered across sidewalks, alleyways, and public spaces, creating a tableau of human suffering that’s become so commonplace that many locals barely notice anymore.

Perhaps most alarming was the 70% spike in overdose deaths that saw 441 lives lost in a single year – a number that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that’s become the substance of choice, has turned the city’s drug crisis into a game of Russian roulette where the odds of survival decrease with each use.

From Summer of Love to Winter of Discontent

The transformation of San Francisco has been so profound that it’s left even hardened financial analysts searching for words. When SocGen’s Albert Edwards, a man who typically maintains professional detachment while analysing market catastrophes, admits to being “really quite shocked” by his visit to San Francisco, it speaks volumes. Edwards, who had been visiting the city regularly for three decades, found himself stunned by “the sheer quantities of men (yes it is virtually 100% men) who were clearly off their heads on drugs (and drink) and putting both themselves and other road users at risk.”

The change wasn’t subtle or gradual – it was stark enough that even occasional visitors could track the city’s decline. Edwards noted the “pungent smell of cannabis skunk” that pervaded the streets “almost everywhere,” creating an atmosphere more pungent than Amsterdam, where such activities are legally confined to designated areas. This wasn’t just about the smell – it was a symbol of how completely the city had surrendered to open drug use.

The transformation becomes even more striking when you consider that San Francisco is home to four of the world’s ten richest people, creating a surreal contrast between extreme wealth and extreme desperation. As Bill Blain, another financial industry veteran, observed during a luxury ski trip stopover, “the squalor we saw in The City was frightful.” When locals dismissed his concerns with casual explanations about mild weather attracting the homeless or it being “a drug thing,” Blain’s response was telling: “Well, I didn’t [get used to it].”

The “Harm Reduction” Shell Game

San Francisco’s approach to drug use has evolved – or perhaps devolved – from harm reduction into harm enablement. The city’s various organisations, from the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to the Harm Reduction Coalition, have effectively created an infrastructure that supports and maintains addiction rather than treating it. The Department of Public Health, in partnership with The DOPE Project, has transformed what was originally a medical strategy aimed at reducing the worst effects of addiction into what amounts to a support system for continued drug use.

The Drug Users Union perhaps best exemplifies this twisted logic. Their stated goal to “create a safe environment where people can use & enjoy drugs as well as receive services” reads like satire but is entirely serious. This organisation, and others like it, have helped create a humanitarian crisis where thousands of people languish in an endless cycle of homelessness and addiction, all under the banner of compassion.

Every week, nonprofits and churches partner with the city to distribute drug use supplies at designated pickup points, creating a network of enablement that spans the city. The model has proven so “successful” that during the COVID-19 pandemic, homeless addicts given hotel rooms were provided with complete ranges of drug paraphernalia. Boxes of needles, glass pipes for meth and crack, and Fentanyl supplies were laid out in hotel lobbies like continental breakfast buffets. Predictably, fatal overdoses spiked in these hotels, yet not a single facility was designated as a drug-free zone or reserved for those trying to get clean.

The Free Drug Paraphernalia Buffet

The array of supplies offered at harm reduction centres reads like a catalogue of addiction maintenance tools. Visitors can collect needles in various sizes – because apparently, customer service extends to injection preferences. Naloxone comes with cheerful tutorials, as if reversing an overdose were just another life skill to master. Rubber tourniquets are available to help users find their veins, while metal cookers provide the perfect vessel for preparing their next fix.

The centres distribute sharps containers – a nod to public safety that seems almost ironic given the overall context. Foil sheets and straws for Fentanyl use come with no warning about the drug’s lethal potential. The collection is rounded out with alcohol pads, gauze, and bandages – medical supplies that enable users to maintain some semblance of hygiene while continuing their descent into addiction.

What’s striking isn’t just what’s offered, but what’s missing. No treatment centre referrals. No informational pamphlets about recovery programs. No counselling services or intervention options. The message is clear: we’ll help you use drugs “safely,” but we won’t help you stop using them.

A Ray of Hope? Daniel Lurie’s New Approach

Into this morass steps Daniel Lurie, a mayoral candidate proposing something that shouldn’t seem radical but somehow does: law enforcement. His innovative approach to tracking drug dealers using ankle monitors – essentially treating them like wandering iPhones – represents a sharp departure from the current policy of tacit acceptance.

Lurie’s criticism of Mayor London Breed’s administration is pointed and specific: “has not done anything about it for the last 5½ years.” While Breed has made enforcement-focused statements and attempted to coordinate with state and federal law enforcement, Lurie argues the results speak for themselves – or rather, scream from every corner of the Tenderloin.

The proposed ankle monitor strategy would create a real-time response system, coordinating among various public safety agencies to ensure immediate action when dealers violate stay-away orders. It’s a comprehensive approach that would require cooperation from the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney – both independently elected officials – but Lurie believes mayoral budget authority and the “bully pulpit” could make it happen.

The Cost of Compassion Gone Wrong

The human toll of San Francisco’s failed policies extends far beyond the immediate victims of addiction. Low-income neighbourhoods have become de facto drug zones, forcing immigrant families, children, and seniors to navigate streets that more closely resemble open-air drug markets than communities. Small businesses, once the backbone of these neighbourhoods, face an impossible choice: operate in conditions that would shock a Victorian-era Dickens character, or close their doors forever.

The impact ripples through the community in ways both visible and subtle. Mr. Smith’s bar on Seventh Street, which went dark in 2019 due to rampant drug dealing on its doorstep, stands as a testament to the economic cost of this crisis. Its owner, Max Young, still doesn’t feel comfortable reopening because “our sidewalks aren’t safe in this neighbourhood” – a simple statement that encapsulates years of failed policy and lost opportunity.

This misguided approach to compassion has created a cascade of consequences that extends far beyond the visible crisis on the streets. It touches everything from human trafficking to political corruption, from environmental degradation to the destruction of community bonds that once held neighbourhoods together. The city’s experiment in unlimited tolerance has produced results that would be obvious to anyone – except, apparently, to those in charge of fixing the problem.

Looking Forward

As San Francisco stands at a crossroads, the question isn’t whether the harm reduction approach has failed – the morgue statistics answer that question eloquently enough. The question is whether the city has the political will to change course. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that the road to hell is paved with good intentions – and apparently littered with free needles. The city’s next chapter might just depend on redefining compassion as something more than an endless supply of drug paraphernalia and a pat on the back.

The solution might lie in programs like the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center or Community First Village in Austin, Texas, which offer something radical: actual help, coupled with actual expectations. These programs recognise that true compassion sometimes means saying “no” to enabling and “yes” to accountability.

For now, as the city debates its future, the fog continues to roll in off the bay, mixing with the ever-present smell of cannabis and despair. But maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for change on the horizon. After all, even in San Francisco, rock bottom has a basement.

Source: WRD News

November 14, 2024 By WRD News Team

The intertwining of technology and drug trafficking presents a complex challenge that demands urgent attention. As societies grapple with the implications of digital advancements, the call for a total ban on drugs and alcohol becomes increasingly imperative. The digital dynamics of drug sales, illustrated by compelling statistics and data, highlight an urgent need for decisive action.

The Rising Tide: Internet and Social Media Usage

As of recent estimates, approximately 66% of the global population is connected to the internet, with 59% actively engaging on social media platforms. This vast digital connectivity has transformed not only communication but also the landscape of drug sales, offering a new frontier for illegal transactions. The sheer volume of online users creates an expansive market, complicating efforts to curb the supply and demand of illicit substances.

The Dark Web: A Shadowy Marketplace

The dark web, despite comprising a minuscule portion of the internet, wields significant influence due to its anonymity. Surveys reveal an alarming rise in dark web drug purchases—from 4.7% in 2014 to 10.8% in 2022 among internet-using drug consumers. In 2021, revenues from dark web drug markets peaked at approximately $2.7 billion, highlighting their persistent and substantial role in the online drug trade.

Shifting Dynamics: Retail to Wholesale

Recent observations suggest a shift in dark web operations from retail to wholesale transactions, as evidenced by increased average payments per transaction. This evolution underscores the adaptability of these markets, posing new challenges for law enforcement and public health strategies.

Social Media: A New Haven for Drug Sales

Social media platforms have emerged as a prominent conduit for drug transactions, with a significant proportion of online drug purchases occurring through these channels. In the USA, social media accounts for 69% of online drug sales, while in Spain, this figure rises to 86%. Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp are utilised for their user-friendly interfaces and ability to facilitate both public advertising and private transactions.

Regional Variations and Demographic Trends

The use of social media for drug sales varies by region. In Nordic countries, platforms like Facebook and Instagram dominate, whereas, in Finland, the dark web remains prevalent. Demographically, younger individuals aged 16 to 24 are more inclined to use social media for drug purchases, while those aged 25 to 34 tend to prefer the dark web. These trends reflect the evolving landscape of drug transactions, influenced by technological proficiency and regional digital habits.

Cryptocurrency: Fueling the Digital Drug Market

Cryptocurrencies play a pivotal role in the online drug trade, offering a pseudo-anonymous means of payment that complicates regulatory efforts. Although only 0.24% of 2022 cryptocurrency transactions were linked to illegal goods, their impact on the drug market is significant, enabling swift and secure exchanges that evade traditional financial scrutiny.

Addressing the Threat

The data paints a stark picture of the challenges posed by digital drug sales. The accessibility and anonymity offered by the internet and social media not only increase the risk of addiction but also undermine public health initiatives. These platforms cater to broad demographics, making drugs more accessible, particularly to vulnerable youth.

Societal Implications

The societal repercussions of unchecked online drug sales are profound. The ease of access exacerbates issues of crime, addiction, and social instability, necessitating urgent intervention. A total ban on drugs and alcohol is a logical response, aiming to dismantle the infrastructure supporting these illicit networks and affirming society’s commitment to a healthier, safer future.

Building a Resilient Future

The digital evolution of drug trafficking demands a robust response. By embracing a total ban on drugs and alcohol, society can tackle the root causes of this digital menace and promote public well-being. Understanding the interplay between technology and drug sales is crucial to devising effective strategies that protect communities and pave the way for a drug-free future. The path forward requires vigilance, innovation, and unwavering resolve to dismantle these illicit networks and foster a resilient society.

Source: USE OF THE DARK WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DRUG SUPPLY

Addiction for Profit products and models always faith the safety, productivity, health and well-being of all communities.

October 30, 2024 

Everything said about why marijuana should be legalized is FALSE. In fact, some promises turn out to be the exact opposite of what the legalizers told you. Here are 10 reasons marijuana legalization fails:  

1. BLACK MARKET INCREASES NOT DECREASES:  The Black Market for marijuana grows after legalization. Foreign cartels buy houses and land in order to grow pot. Law enforcement can’t tell the difference between legal and illegal growers. Only after utility bills reveal they’re using high powered grow lights in basements can utility companies figure it out. Even in states where home grows are banned, foreign cartels found ways to grow in national forests. If Florida legalizes, these growers will hide in the Everglades and Ocala and the other national forests. 
2. THEY SAID REGULATION WOULD MAKE IT SAFER FOR OUR CHILDREN. Regulate to keep away from your kids, the advocates argued. Since marijuana legalization, 21-year-olds have been seen going into shops and reselling to teens. Now that parents are using, adolescents frequently sell or distribute edibles found at home or obtained from others in their high schools and middle schools. Teens have always been able to access alcohol despite age restrictions, so why would marijuana be different?
3. Claiming SAFE PRODUCTS THROUGH REGULATION IS a falsehood.  Legalization doesn’t stop mold, pesticides, ammonia, heavy metals and toxins from being part of dispensary marijuana. (People died from vaping lung disease traced to state-regulated marijuana shops in Oregon, California and a medical marijuana dispensary in Delaware. ) You cannot make an inherently dangerous product like THC safe.   Regulation Resistance develops in every state legislature. When sensible regulation comes before a state legislature, the cannabis industry whines and politicians cave to them.  No state regulates edibles enough to stop the large number of very small children who end in the ER from marijuana toxicity, breathing problems and the need to be intubated.  The idea of putting potency caps on THC or banning edibles are particularly problematic, as the industry refuses this regulation in every legislative session and fights for more.
4. PUBLIC SMOKING BANS ARE A CATCH -22.  Many people who support legalization do so because they don’t want anyone arrested for smoking a joint.  After legalization, pot users enjoy their public smoking freedom.  If law enforcement started arresting them, it  would defeat one purpose of legalization which is to stop arresting people. If fines are maintained for public smoking,  they’re not enforced.   If you ask your neighbor to stop smoking pot because your child has asthma or your mom has COPD, you can’t expect them to honor your wishes. Once a state legalizes, the rights of cannabis users take precedence over everyone else’s rights.  Law enforcement can’t do anything. Apartment smoking bans are not honored. Sometimes the only way to stop that neighbor from smoking is a lawsuit.  Secondhand marijuana smoke is more toxic than secondhand tobacco smoke.
5. DOESN’T BALANCE STATE BUDGETS: Tax money is VERY LOW compared to what was promised. It is less than 1% of total state revenue in every state. After about 3 years the tax revenue goes way down; it went down 20% each year in Colorado since 2022.
6. DEATHS GO UP, NOT DOWN. Cannabis legalization did not stop the opioid and other addiction epidemic in any state. In Colorado opioid deaths went way up after legalization. In California, many young teens went straight from using marijuana to buying pills online that turned out to be fentanyl. Anyone who believes that marijuana substitutes for pain medicine needs to be asked why our drug deaths went up, not down since legalization. 
7. CAN’T STOP STONED DRIVERS  –  In the states with legalization, traffic deaths have increased between 10% to 25%.  Even in fatal crashes when a driver has been using cannabis, it is difficult for law enforcement to prove impairment.  There is no uniformly acceptable test comparable to the breathalyzer used to measure alcohol, so driving stoned is much easier to get away with than driving drunk! Plus, more people are mixing alcohol and cannabis when they drive greatly intensifying the impairment.  Even worse, cannabis users often claim that they driver “better” stoned.
8. SOCIAL EQUITY FAILS. Despite robust social equity requirements in some states, the industry is dominated by large multi-state operators. The movement is toward consolidation and monopoly, not Ma and Pop shops run by minorities. Equity owners are duped by state governments that loan them the money to start the stores even though they will make very little profit in return.  It’s a scam.  Politic explains the process in an excellent article,  Broken Promises: how marijuana legalization failed communities hit hardest by the drug war. 
9. YOUTH USE BECOMES MORE PROBLEMATIC after legalization   The real problem is that the teens who use after legalization use the high-potency products like dabs and vapes at much higher rates than the adults. Teens who use these products are much more likely to have psychotic breaks compared to teens who used the low-potency marijuana available before 2000. Legalization is making it all that much more dangerous. Only two states enacted potency caps, which are 60 percent THC, 20x higher than the old-fashioned pot!
10. OPTING OUT DOESN’T WORK!  So many times the towns that opted out can only maintain it with incredible effort fighting the industry again and again. Sometimes government bodies let the pot shops in without public notice, because the industry is so sneaky in the way it works the politicians.

IF STATES CAN’T GET LEGALIZATION RIGHT, the national government will not get it right.  As Bill Gates said, “It’s fine to celebrate success, but it’s more important to heed the lessons of failure.  Let’s cut our losses now.  For more information, read: 

Wall Street Journal:  How New York and California Botched Marijuana Legalization,  April 28, 2023, by Zusha Elinson and Jimmy Vielkind

Washington Post:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/14/marijuana-smell-lawsuit/ 

New York Times:  As America’s Marijuana Use Grows So do its Harms: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/us/cannabis-marijuana-risks-addiction.html  

Donna Shalala in the Miami Herald:  Why Marijuana Legalization is Bad Policy for Florida:  https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/article293034334.html 

Charles Fain Lehman:  The Real Problem with Legal Weed: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/03/magazine/marijuana-legalization-new-york.html 

Politico: Cannabis was supposed to be a tax windfall; the reality is different: https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2019/10/14/marijuana-tax-revenue-001062/ 

Reposted from Parents Opposed to Pot

Michigan Changes Gun Laws to Accommodate Marijuana Legalization

October 24, 2024 editor

On May 22, 2023, tragedy struck in Michigan — two-year-old Kiare McCoy shot and killed himself after finding a loaded gun.

The gun belonged to Markus Nevills Jr., who had placed it between the back of a couch and a cushion.  He admitted to being zoned out and high on marijuana at the time.  Police arrested Nevills, the mother’s ex-boyfriend.

On May 15, 2024, Cortez Guy, another two-year-old shot and killed himself while under the care of his father.  The father, Omar Guy, and his two cousins were smoking pot in the home when the toddler accessed the gun.  “According to a search warrant, there was a strong odor of marijuana throughout the house, and investigators determined the three men had been smoking marijuana.”  All three were charged on five counts, including involuntary manslaughter, felony gun possession while under the influence and violation of Michigan’s safe storage laws.

While advocates congratulate Michigan for growing a larger marijuana program than California, who is measuring the collateral costs?   Is there any such thing as a safe way to legalize pot?

New Gun Laws Went into Effect in February

On February 12,  2024, the new gun storage laws went into effect.   The law requires that firearms be locked when it is “reasonably known that a minor is or is likely to be present on the premises.”

After Ethan Crumbley, 15, shot and killed four classmates and wounded seven others at Oxford High School in 2021, the desire to hold parents accountable for underage shootings began. Crumbley admitted to using a gun kept unlocked in his home that had been purchased for him by his father. However, his parents, marijuana smokers who grew pot at home, should have known that Ethan was depressed and could not be trusted with it. James and Jennifer Crumbley, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter and individually sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.

Mother in Virginia Shooting Charged

The Crumbley case was similar to a case in Virginia, where a first grader accessed the mother’s gun and shot his teacher.  The woman was a marijuana user who lied about her pot use on her gun application.  For this reason, the Department of Justice filed charges against her.  “Investigators later found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylor’s bedroom when they searched her home less than two weeks after the shooting as well as evidence of frequent drug use…” 

Like the Crumbleys, the father of the Georgia shooter, Colin Gray, has been charged of involuntary manslaughter.  Earlier reports refer to the father as frequently being “high.”  The son, Colt Gray, allegedly shot and killed two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School.  Read Medical marijuana should not be allowed to own guns.

Toddler lost her eye under father’s care

One week after the new law went into effect in Michigan, a father who allowed three-year-old Skye McBride to access a gun was charged with breaking the law.  The toddler, Skye, shot herself in the eye, but survived. After months of hospitalization and treatment, she returned home.

While it’s not clear if Skye’s father used pot, it’s clear that increased access to pot necessitated changing gun laws.

Pot-using parents forget more often than non-drug using parents. They forget to lock up their edibles as well as their loaded guns.   An easier solution would be to NEVER legalize pot.

Once a state legalizes pot, law enforcement is less likely to report when a crime scene involves marijuana use.

(Reposted from Parents Opposed to Pot)

$49.1 Billion: That is the cost of harms related to Substance use in Canada

The total cost of short-term disability due to substance use was $4.1 billion in 2020 (the latest year for which data are available). This works out to $107 per person in Canada.

Between 2007 and 2020, 80% of the productivity losses from absenteeism and presenteeism were primarily due to alcohol and tobacco. This has remained stable between 2007 and 2020.

However, cannabis and other central nervous stimulants like methamphetamine showed the highest rate of increase during that time (206% and 331%, respectively).

Fentanyl death rates higher in US states in that have legalized Cannabis for recreational or ‘medicinal’ purposes

Apparently, it does Lie…Cocaine…

August 28, 2024By WRD News Team

Also see Global: The ‘Drug of Choice’ for the Cashed Up! It’s Past Time to ‘D’ Brand Cocaine?

Cocaine has long been a staple of British nightlife and social culture, particularly among certain generations. Its usage reflects not only social habits but also wider cultural and economic trends. While Gen X and millennials have historically embraced cocaine as part of their social fabric, recent shifts highlight a changing landscape in drug consumption, especially with the rise of Gen Z.

Cocaine Culture Among Gen X and Millennials

In London and other major UK cities, cocaine use has become almost synonymous with urban socialising. The drug, often referred to colloquially as “gak,” is a common fixture in the nightlife scene. For many in Gen X and millennials, cocaine was seen as a social lubricant, a means to extend working hours and enhance social gatherings. This generation’s relationship with cocaine is rooted in pre-2008 financial crash attitudes—marked by excess, long work hours, and relentless socialising. Cocaine use has been so prevalent that traces were famously detected in the River Thames, highlighting its pervasive nature.

Despite the ethical concerns surrounding cocaine, such as its association with organised crime and violence, as well as its financial burden—cocaine can cost up to £100 per gram in London—the drug remains popular. It’s become a routine part of social events, from after-work drinks to festivals and international football tournaments. Yet, this very ubiquity has started to erode its appeal, with many seeing its omnipresence as a reason for declining interest.

Statistics and Social Observations

The prevalence of cocaine use in Britain is notable, with one in 40 British adults reportedly using the drug, making it the leading consumer in Europe and second globally. However, recent data shows a shift: student drug use has halved since the 1990s, and only 5.1% of 16- to 24-year-olds currently identify as cocaine users. This decline suggests a generational shift away from cocaine, influenced by changing social norms and attitudes.

Gen Z’s Impact on Drug Trends

Gen Z is reshaping the landscape of drug use with their more conservative and health-focused outlook. Known for drinking less and having fewer teen pregnancies, Gen Z values well-being and sustainability. This is reflected in their reduced drug consumption, including cocaine. Unlike their predecessors, they are less influenced by the hedonistic, work-hard-play-hard culture that characterised Gen X and millennials.

Gen Z’s cautious approach to social media also means fewer risky behaviours are broadcasted, contrasting sharply with the oversharing tendencies of millennials. Additionally, Gen Z’s awareness of drug trafficking’s human cost and the ethical implications of cocaine use further discourages its consumption.

Cultural and Generational Shifts

Drug trends have historically aligned with generational identities. The boomer generation popularised marijuana, while the 80s yuppies leaned into cocaine for its ability to sustain long work hours. The 90s saw a shift to ecstasy during the rave culture era. Now, as cocaine reaches saturation, new preferences are emerging, potentially leading to a rise in hallucinogens like magic mushrooms, which saw an increase of 100,000 users between 2020 and 2023 according to recent data.

Millennials, often unable to afford traditional milestones like home ownership and parenthood, continue to cling to cocaine as a remnant of their youth. However, for Gen Z, who grew up amidst economic and environmental crises, cocaine’s appeal has waned, replaced by a broader focus on health and sustainability.

Future of Drug Use in Britain

As cocaine’s cultural cachet declines, the question remains: what will replace it? With Gen Z’s focus on well-being, substances that align with a healthier lifestyle, like microdosing psychedelics, might take precedence. This shift also represents a broader trend towards more mindful consumption.

While cocaine may remain persistent in certain circles, its status as a symbol of social and cultural rebellion is likely to diminish. As generational attitudes continue to evolve, the future of drug use in Britain will likely reflect the values and priorities of the emerging generations.

Source: WRD News