Pubdate: Tue, 13 Nov 2012
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2012 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Sunny Dhillon

B.C. MARIJUANA SELLERS MAY STILL CASH IN AFTER U.S. VOTES

British Columbia's multibillion-dollar marijuana industry is expected 
to take a hit following legalization votes in two U.S. states - but 
there could still be time to cash in.

A B.C. man who sells marijuana seeds to U.S. customers says 
Washington state and Colorado could see a spike in demand in the 
short term. Even though the two states voted to decriminalize 
marijuana, licensed stores won't open for at least a year. That 
creates a scenario in which marijuana is legal but there is nowhere 
to legally purchase it.

A spokeswoman for New Approach Washington, the group behind that 
state's Initiative 502, says she does not anticipate such a surge in 
seeds or other forms of marijuana.

The B.C. man - who asked not to be identified due to the nature of 
his work - has been operating his business for more than a decade. In 
a series of e-mails, he told The Globe and Mail he was inspired by 
Canada's self-proclaimed "Prince of Pot," Marc Emery, though he never 
wanted such a high profile himself.

The man - a proud father who said the work suits his lifestyle - said 
he has received a great deal of business from Washington and Colorado 
in the past, though he declined to discuss specific figures. He said 
that while he has noticed increasing traffic since the state 
referendums, it's too early to tell whether there's a connection.

His business is largely a one-man operation, though he has a handful 
of people who help him out with various duties. He said the business 
is more lucrative now than when he started.

"I'm still pretty cautious and careful not to get too greedy," he said.

Washington and Colorado last week became the first U.S. states to 
vote to decriminalize, regulate and tax marijuana. Both states will 
allow adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce.

Washington will formally decriminalize it Dec. 6. The Seattle Police 
Department has already stopped making possession arrests, and the 
King County prosecutor's service has announced it will dismiss all 
175 of its misdemeanour marijuana possession cases.

A spokesman for the Colorado marijuana campaign said it's unclear 
exactly when that state will decriminalize. He said election results 
are typically certified within two weeks - the governor then has 30 
days to sign the amendment into law.

Tonia Winchester, a spokeswoman for New Approach Washington, said an 
increase in marijuana being sent to the state is unlikely.

"Where people are going to be getting their marijuana in that year 
interim is where they're getting their marijuana now," she said. 
"There's a very profitable and highly functioning black market in 
Washington state where people are getting that marijuana."

Detective Renee Witt, a Seattle police spokeswoman, said the 
department is still working through the logistics of Initiative 502. 
When asked if the department anticipates the marijuana market will 
grow before licensed stores open - in late 2013 or early 2014 - she 
said it's unclear.

"Honestly, we don't know. There are so many different aspects and 
things for us to take under consideration," she said.

When asked if residents who previously didn't purchase marijuana 
might grow bolder once it's decriminalized, she said, "This is true."

John Conroy, an Abbotsford, B.C.-based lawyer who has worked on 
numerous drug cases, said it is, of course, unlawful to ship 
marijuana seeds across the border. However, he said, cracking down on 
such businesses does not appear to be a high priority.

A notable exception, he said, was Mr. Emery. He pleaded guilty in a 
Seattle court in 2010 to one count of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

"They seem to be quite open and out front many of them, certainly on 
the Internet and magazines and whatever," Mr. Conroy said of seed 
sellers. "You never know in this business. Sometimes they are 
tracking you for years, gathering evidence, and then finally they 
swoop down and do things."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom