Smoke 'em if you got 'em boys (neighborhoods, buy)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

What about Los Angeles? I know it's a lot safer than it used to be but the gangs are still there.

Good point. Thanks for bringing that up!

California’s black market for marijuana continues to flourish as high taxes and a refusal by most cities to allow licensed shops makes it cheaper and easier for people to buy from illicit dealers, he said. An estimated $8.7 billion is expected to be spent in the illegal cannabis market in 2019 — more than double the amount of legal sales.

https://www.latimes.com/california/s...rijuana-market

Not to be smart but I think any crime reductions in Los Angeles came as a result of things other than legalizing cannabis.

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Good point. Thanks for bringing that up!

California’s black market for marijuana continues to flourish as high taxes and a refusal by most cities to allow licensed shops makes it cheaper and easier for people to buy from illicit dealers, he said. An estimated $8.7 billion is expected to be spent in the illegal cannabis market in 2019 — more than double the amount of legal sales.

https://www.latimes.com/california/s...rijuana-market

Not to be smart but I think any crime reductions in Los Angeles came as a result of things other than legalizing cannabis.

I never said that that legalization would reduce crime. I do expect the overall quality of marijuana in the city to improve though.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I don't like to be right on stuff like this but common sense, coupled with being on the ground in a neighborhood with gang activity, tells me that there is going to be increased violence as a result of this. There will be a robust weed black market. The state, city and county will tax the bleep out of the legal product (unlike some, I don't see taxes going down) so there will be a huge incentive for consumers to avoid those taxes, and there will be little means by which law enforcement can react to illegal tax-free sales, since the drug itself is legal.

Even assuming that there's an desire to do this. Our politicians, and, indeed, the affluent progressive voting residents of the City, do not seem to care much about what happens in the underprivileged communities they do not live in.

Despite cannabis now being legal to possess in Illinois, shortages of product at licensed dispensaries have left a robust black market for the drug. The fact that possession of cannabis is now legal adds a wrinkle to the policing of illicit sales, officers said.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02...gs-police-say/

And this isn't the only place this is happening. Uptown's being covered because the readership of that publication can identify it on a map of the City.

Anyway, sigh. I'm not psychic, I swear. Hopefully there's a plan to address this. Otherwise it's gonna be a long summer :-(

[flamadiddle]

I don't believe gangs are fighting over marijuana sales. These shootings, if gang related are more likely due to drugs like meth, heroin, cocaine, etc. There is no doubt a MJ black market, but it's pretty controlled and the people operating within it are pretty legit and not a bunch of gang bangers hanging out on the corner.

They are supposed to license many more dispensaries and grow ops in May, which should increase supply and bring prices down to better compete with the black market.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

I don't believe gangs are fighting over marijuana sales. These shootings, if gang related are more likely due to drugs like meth, heroin, cocaine, etc. There is no doubt a MJ black market, but it's pretty controlled and the people operating within it are pretty legit and not a bunch of gang bangers hanging out on the corner.

They are supposed to license many more dispensaries and grow ops in May, which should increase supply and bring prices down to better compete with the black market.

Most of the thugs by me seem to be selling weed. At least insofar as I can tell. That's a much more commonly used drug than meth, heroin, or coke. More volume, more money. I mean who in the hell uses those drugs around here? We're not in Omaha, Nebraska as to meth, and it's not 1987 as to coke. C'mon.

So I'd say mostly weed. All of the shootings in Little Village recently definitely shed doubt on the idea that they're legit! I think they're just gang bangers selling weed. Nothing legit about them really.

[damba]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Most of the thugs by me seem to be selling weed. At least insofar as I can tell. That's a much more commonly used drug than meth, heroin, or coke. More volume, more money. I mean who in the hell uses those drugs around here? We're not in Omaha, Nebraska as to meth, and it's not 1987 as to coke. C'mon.

So I'd say mostly weed. All of the shootings in Little Village recently definitely shed doubt on the idea that they're legit! I think they're just gang bangers selling weed. Nothing legit about them really.

I’d be interested in seeing data on that.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by damba

I’d be interested in seeing data on that.

Me too! I'm going on what I see around where I live. Don't hear much about meth. It seems to be more of an issue in rural areas.

https://footprintstorecovery.com/add...ho-Abuses-Meth

Maybe I'm just not in the right area. Using the word "right" in the loosest possible sense. Anyway, back to point. I don't think legalizing marijuana is going to get rid of the black market. It seems to be flourishing. Maybe enforcement efforts (assuming the will and the way) coupled with lower prices and lower taxation will curtail it. I hope so. I guess we'll see!

[smegmatite]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Most of the thugs by me seem to be selling weed. At least insofar as I can tell. That's a much more commonly used drug than meth, heroin, or coke. More volume, more money. I mean who in the hell uses those drugs around here? We're not in Omaha, Nebraska as to meth, and it's not 1987 as to coke. C'mon.

So I'd say mostly weed. All of the shootings in Little Village recently definitely shed doubt on the idea that they're legit! I think they're just gang bangers selling weed. Nothing legit about them really.

you really have no clue how much cocaine is used in the city eh?

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by smegmatite

you really have no clue how much cocaine is used in the city eh?

No, not really. I don't live in a coke style neighborhood.

Anyway, we're getting off the track here. Coke, meth and heroin sales will continue as they have been I'll guess, for high volume or low. What are your thoughts on the impact that the legalization of cannabis will have on gang activity and crime? I'd like someone to prove me wrong here because I'm concerned what's going to happen once the weather warms up!

[damba]

Originally Posted by smegmatite

you really have no clue how much cocaine is used in the city eh?

Overall, I would wager he does, but may be thinking of crack as the only form.