Reader: Marijuana black market isn’t going away even if prices in Colorado stay low

In this space yesterday, Christian Sederberg, a member of the just-completed Amendment 64 task force, argued that overtaxing marijuana will keep alive the very black market the measure was intended to shrink or eliminate. But lower prices actually fuel other kinds of underground, and illicit, commerce, according to one of...
By Michael Roberts
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In this space yesterday, Christian Sederberg, a member of the just-completed Amendment 64 task force, argued that overtaxing marijuana will keep alive the very black market the measure was intended to shrink or eliminate. But lower prices actually fuel other kinds of underground, and illicit, commerce, according to one of our readers.

thedawg writes:

Honestly, so long as a pound can be purchased here for $2,400, and you can sell it two states away for $3,800, the black market isn’t going to go away….

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword‘s news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor’s degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

michaelrobertscolo@gmail.com

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