Top cash crop...

[Bigmack]

How come we're not a net exporter of this stuff. We could help change the balance of payments with a concerted agricultural effort!
- - -
Marijuana is top U.S. cash crop, pro-legalization analysis says
By Eric Bailey
Los Angeles Times

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For years, activists in the marijuana-legalization movement have claimed that cannabis is America's biggest cash crop. Now they're citing government statistics to prove it.

A report released today by a marijuana public-policy analyst contends the market value of pot produced in the United States exceeds $35 billion — far more than the crop value of such staples as corn, soybeans and hay.

California is responsible for more than one-third of the cannabis harvest, with an estimated production of $13.8 billion, exceeding the value of the state's grapes, vegetables and hay combined. Marijuana is the top cash crop in a dozen states, the report states.

snip

....report cites figures in a 2005 State Department report estimating U.S. cannabis cultivation at 10,000 metric tons, or more than 22 million pounds — 10 times the 1981 production.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003482836_marijuana18.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. If marijuana were decriminalized,

regulated and taxed, we would have a great new source of revenue. PLUS hemp makes great paper, clothing, and the biomass can be used to generate electricity, I believe.

[NYCGirl]

4. Industrial hemp is used for paper, clothing, etc. Not the same kind of hemp. NT

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. I know, but it is not legal to grow it here, either

and if marijuana were legalized, industrial hemp would have to be too.

[dysfunctional press]

2. my backyard crop was probably worth about $1600 this year.

at least, that's how much it saved me- none of it gets sold.

[flying_wahini]

3. then why is it so expensive?????????

hahahahah

[acmejack]

5. It's a good thing we're winning the war on drugs...

"Winning the War on Drugs"

[madokie]

7. the spankers are awesome

[flying_wahini]

6. it should be legalized

crime would go down, prisons would be emptied, take the wind out of the sails for the organized criminals..... package it & tax it.

[acmavm]

8. Been this way for decades. For a long time it was No. 2, right

behind corn. Now it's No. 1?

What's that tell ya?

[Arkansas Granny]

9. It tells me that . . .

[acmavm]

15. Franklin does know what he's talking about. I wish I could still

smoke. But the job thingy...

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I know exactly what you mean.

[mike_c]

10. marijuana is far and away my county's most valuable agricultural...

...product. Nothing else even comes close.

[malaise]

11. Mine too

Herb rules.
I have no doubt that the push to criminalize cigarette smoking will make the manufacturers way richer.

[BrotherBuzz]

12. I understand the growers are singlehandedly carrying the car dealerships up there

Sticker price cash sales on 4X4's no questions asked. Same in Mendocino County.

[butterfly77]

14. This country is full of shit...

About a war on drugs. Legalize it anyone who wants some can get it anyway.

[Little Wing]

16. But what about all those hard working Americans who would lose their jobs?

You know, the Prison Industry!

Why are you anti-family?