Pubdate: Thu, 02 Jan 2014 Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO) Copyright: 2014 The Pueblo Chieftain Contact: http://www.chieftain.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613 Author: Peter Strescino Street Dealer HIGH TAXES WILL SEND WEED USERS UNDERGROUND Tracy has been selling marijuana in Pueblo for 20 years. At first, the legalization of recreational pot seemed it might be a problem for business, especially when the retail shops opened, as they did on Wednesday. Colorado became the first place in the world where people can buy the weed legally on an open market. After Coloradans voted 55-45 percent in 2012 to legalize the use of marijuana, the Legislature and local governments started piling on the taxes and fees, and Tracy, not the dealer's real name, figured that the underground business would not suffer after the novelty of going to an outlet to purchase marijuana wears off. "People will get real tired of paying the taxes real fast," Tracy said. "When you can buy an ounce from me for $225 to $300, the state adds as much as $90 just for the tax." Tracy says a business clientele of as many as 25 regular customers brings in a profit of $20,000 to $30,000 a year. Connections for the weed are mostly out of Denver, although there is a homegrown element to the enterprise. "In days past, Mexican weed was a big part of my business, and I'd sell it for $50-$60 an ounce. But since 2000, everyone wants it grown local and Colorado weed is powerful. I still have a few customers, who because of the price or they don't want that potency, still buy the lesser grade." Most of the clientele is "everyday working people, always over 20 years old, no one on the high-end (well-known or wealthy Puebloans). Every once in a while, I may get a new buyer, but I have had the same people for years." And that's not expected to change. "I also don't think that anyone will give up their medical cards because that weed is taxed at 4 percent," Tracy said. "Younger people prefer the medical grade, and most good weed on the street is from the medical dispensaries. I guarantee it." Other Pueblo dealers, bigger ones whose sole income is based on their business, tell Tracy they are not worrying. "Underground will stay underground. And people will continue to buy medical. None of that will change." What will change is that people from out of state will travel to Colorado to partake in the relaxed laws concerning buying marijuana, Tracy said. "I can see people coming here, Colorado being like a Western Amsterdam." Tracy also predicted that "people will become botanists, everyone will be growing their own." But that could also lead to problems, medically and legally, Tracy said. One part of Amendment 64, the ballot initiative that placed legalized marijuana into the state Constitution, allows for the growing of six plants per person. "What about when six people live in one house, does that mean that they can have 36 plants going?" Tracy asked. "And the state says you can possess 1 ounce. But six plants will bring you about a pound of product." Growing marijuana is a tricky and expensive endeavor, and a mildew that can form on the plant can devastate the health of a smoker. "Are people going to flush a bunch of plants, lose that money, because the powdery mildew was on the plant? No. I lost $4,000 a few years ago, because I did flush some plants because of the mildew. Not everyone will do that. They'll wipe it off and sell it, but the danger will remain in the weed. "That's one plus for the dispensaries, that they are so heavily regulated." Tracy also predicted the potential for violence. "Anyone who has been around marijuana -- and that's a lot of people, especially younger ones -- knows the smell even when it's not burning. So they may break into a yard or a home to steal it, and I can see some kid getting shot for it." Will the state lower taxes if weed continues to flourish on the streets and sales decline in the shops? A knowing look crossed Tracy's face. "The government lower taxes?" was followed by a laugh. Tracy also said that drug cartels already are in the dispensary business. "Profits will bring in unsavory people." Tracy is positive that new rules will not hurt business. "When the novelty wears off, people will be tired of having to go to the stores and paying much higher prices for the same weed. Street dealers will charge less, and we deliver, just like (pizza joints)." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom