Possible Effects of Recreational Weed on the Illegal Sales of Weed
By Dave Alexander
Recreational marijuana businesses open Jan. 1st, but it may be years before pot users give up selling their herb in the black market.
People in Chicago who buy marijuana from illegal sellers admit that they’re excited about buying it from legal dispensaries, learning more about the benefits of the drug, and also not facing the penalties or criminal charges associated with illegal pot possession. Nonetheless, there are growing barriers when it comes to getting consumers away from the underground market.
Next year, the legal weed sector expects supply shortages, which could mean higher costs, buying restrictions, and vacant dispensary racks. When cannabis sold in stores becomes too costly or is conveniently located, there is a lack of inventory and buyers end up sticking to their dealers.
Several analysts say that the illegal trade of cannabis and its products will never completely go away . There will always be young/underaged buyers, those who are not going to leave their seller, and other reasons.
If the black market remains strong, profits in licensed stores could be compromised. That will cut into tax revenue and Illinois ‘ potential earned tax gains. A powerful black market economy could also impact the communities of people affected by the drug war, as a majority of tax revenue was reserved for reinvestment in those regions.
In addition to these concerns, analysts and economists also speculate that illegal individual drug dealers could lose out on their regular customer-base, resulting in the necessity for them to find other avenues of business… Oh, the humanity!