The dawn of green lobbyists

Hillary Bricken, an attorney and columnist for the Cannalawblog, is concerned about the emergence of economic superpowers in the cannabis industry. She fears the rise of large-scale lobbying similar to that seen in the tobacco industry, which would push small-scale growers and cannabis users into the background.

Despite the federal ban on cannabis, Twenty-five U.S. states have legalized the medical use of cannabis, and four of them have legalized its recreational use. According to attorney Hillary Bricken, these states serve as a real-world test case for the White House.

The central government wants to know whether a regulated industry can curb international drug trafficking while generating revenue.

So far, the plan is going as expected; the’Mexican drug imports plummet and states that have legalized it are moving forward with green gold. During a TEDx talk, she argued that the government might impose drastic measures if the cannabis market gets out of control. This would partly explain why the White House has not legalized it nationwide.

Big Tobacco 2.0

But what worries the lawyer is the emergence of economic superpowers in the cannabis industry. The prohibitionist NGO «A Smart Approach to Marijuana» They agree with his position; they fear that the cannabis market will turn its back on consumers in favor of purely economic interests—whether by making customers addicted or by normalizing cannabis use to ensure its long-term economic viability.

Just like the tobacco industry since the 1950s, the new green market brings its own share of lobbyists. Before the harmful effects of cigarettes were proven, executives and advertisers insisted that their products were safe.

In fact, there are many similarities; for example, Phillip Morris Tobacco Co. has just launched one of its subsidiaries, Altria, in the race for cannabis. According to the report «Waiting for the Opportune Moment: The Tobacco Industry and Marijuana Legalization»: With tobacco companies seeing their sales plummet in Colorado and Washington, it was time to diversify and tap into a new market. The the long arm of the tobacco industry could speed up the product's legalization at the national level.

Some states, such as Washington, have imposed strict regulations: only state residents can open a cannabis dispensary; however, the attorney asserts that most of them receive funding from companies based elsewhere in the country. Given that the The cannabis market only operates on CA$H, no one can verify the source of the funding.

Just like cigarettes with John Wayne, cannabis has its own celebrity spokespeople, influencing young people and Instagram followers who have embraced this cannabis-centered lifestyle. Free will remains the deciding factor, but it’s easy to be swayed. Wiz Khalifa when he makes a judgment about a particular plant variety.

Pro-tobacco advertising in the U.S.

The cannabis-related events In the United States, these events now resemble trade shows for profit-driven companies. While the benefits of cannabis are highlighted there, the cannabis business now needs a reliable customer base to thrive.

Specialized news sites and cannabis-related social media platforms are helping to normalize cannabis. Newsweed remains independent and neutral; no shady lobbyists influence our editorial line.

Via http://www.cannalawblog.com/is-state-legal-marijuana-creating-big-marijuana/

Théo Caillart