mo·nop·o·ly /məˈnäpəlē/ 1. the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service. "his likely motive was to protect his regional monopoly on furs"
A few stores will be allowed to begin the sales of recreational cannabis here in Michigan beginning Sunday morning at 10 am. That is when they "flip the switch" in Lansing allowing a few stores to transfer up to 50 percent of their standing inventory that is at least 30 days old. The way this is being handled is in direct
opposition of the principles of free enterprise.
At the last report, there were 3 stores in Ann Arbor and possibly 5 others that will get the green light for tomorrow's opener. How or why everyone is not allowed to start at the same time is somewhat of a mystery until you look at the motivations behind such actions. It does not require a lot of speculation to figure out that this game is rigged.
Only businesses holding a current license for medical marijuana retail stores seem to be included in this opportunity? Opening day of recreational cannabis has proven to be a major success in other states for almost any business lucky enough to be included. They literally made millions on day 1 in Colorado, Oregon, and other states. To further tip the scales of favor, only businesses that are currently licensed can apply for the larger grow licenses of 500, 1000, or 2000 plants. They are also allowed to purchase from the lien system to maintain inventory. All other applicants must operate on a micro business license which limits them to 150 plants and a 1 time opportunity to purchase inventory from the "system". This makes for one lopsided playing field and gives the big boys a serious edge on this new market in Michigan.
Free enterprise is a simple concept that maintains integrity in almost every industry in our nation. The obvious exclusions are the electric and gas companies that few of us have any choice in who we choose. In other words....it is a monopoly supported by laws and legislation. Nobody may compete. The not so obvious monopolies occur when we allow our industries to be over regulated and over controlled like the cannabis industry in Michigan. More arrests, higher costs, and lower quality are the results of bad legislation.
Free enterprise is a type of economy where products, prices, and services are determined by the market, not the government. It's capitalism, not communism. Things that are free are unconstrained, and a business is an enterprise.
There are 2 things that people can expect from the legal sales of recreational marijuana in Michigan tomorrow.
1) High Prices
2) Poor Quality
The good news is that most patients will not depend on these "pot shops" and dispensaries to maintain a supply. Most people have a quality source of medicine already as a result of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and the thousands of caregivers across the state. Quality craft cannabis will always be found in these mom and pop operations and difficult to find in a commercial and licensed facility until the state of Michigan tilts the scales of this industry back to a level playing field.
1 step forward and 2 steps back is how it works when we include the government. After the novelty of buying over priced cannabis wears off, the market will settle back to normal. That is if they do not run out of product in the first week anyways!
Uncle Pete
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